Sumail “SumaiL” Hassan’s debut in Team Aster is arguably the most exciting breakthrough in Dota Pro Circuit (DPC 2023).
Let’s just say that everyone has high expectations for this unorthodox line-up going into Tour 3.
Image source: Perfect World
Team Aster and playing it SumaiL’s way
At the Berlin Major 2023, we got an early glimpse into the fantastic synergy between SumaiL and Aster players despite the language barrier. While hand signs and in-game chatwheel callouts did somehow do the trick, Team Aster still had a communications handicap.
Yet, they delivered.
With the deal finalized, Team Aster is doing its best to accommodate their Western teammate with personal translator and Chinese language lessons. Regardless, even at such an early stage of the Aster x SumaiL collaboration, Aster managed to dominate its Chinese rivals.
We are only one week into the DPC 2033 Tour 3 China, but we already had one highly-anticipated match-up unfold.
Team Aster went up against Azure Ray, the emerging team led by remnants of TI8 PSG.LGD roster. Although it has been 5 years since that legendary roster disbanded, the players, notably Lu “Somnus” Yao and Xu “fy” Linsen had continuously been together in later years. Although, wihout Wang “Ame” Chunyu, who unfortunately couldn’t join his fellow former teammates, Azure Ray is a serious contender, but certainly not at their best form yet.
However, Aster’s showcase of pure performance is what them a clean series. Spectators noted the quick-witted nature of SumaiL’s awareness on the map, always capitalizing on the opponent’s careless mistakes.
SumaiL has long been in the open market since he left Evil Geniuses back in 2019. Yet, he never truly found any success in any team that took him in because they couldn’t adapt to SumaiL’s playstyle.
Yet, Team Aster, a team that has infamously played around a core mid-player historically, managed to pull off EG’s level of synergy with SumaiL. Back when Zeng “Ori” Jiaoyang was active, Aster played around his pace and won third at the International 11 (TI11).
SumaiL seems comparable to Ori, if not, even better, considering his effective playstyle.
Upcoming matches at DPC Tour 3 China
Sure, four wins may indicate Aster has it in the bag. but their upcoming matches against heavy hitters, such as PSG.LGD, Xtreme Gaming, and even Invictus Gaming, could potentially prove otherwise.
We can rest assured that SumaiL is in good hands. Some fans are even going as far to boldly predict SumaiL might just win the upcoming TI12, bringing home the Aegis back to China. It has been 5 years since the region’s representative, Wings Gaming won TI, so this could be a massive accomplishment.
If so, perhaps we might just see more Chinese teams adopt inter-region talents, much like how Gaimin Gladiators enjoyed success with Quinn “Quinn” Callahan and Team Aster, hopefully.
About Post Author
