BLAST Slam II marks the second edition of BLAST’s Dota 2 event, bringing a unique fast-paced format to the saturated professional Dota 2 scene. Featuring a million-dollar prize pool, this tier-one LAN tournament will take place live in Copenhagen, Denmark, at the BLAST studio, running from February 4 to February 9—with no breaks in between, ensuring non-stop action throughout the event.

Prize Pool Distribution

BLAST Slam II offers a unique distribution from its $1 million prize pool. While a big portion of $750,000 are awarded as prize money, another $250,000 will be given as team earnings.

• 1st Place: $300,000, $100,000 team earning
• 2nd Place: $150,000, $50,000 team earning
• 3rd-4th Place: $60,000, $20,000 team earning
• 5th-6th Place: $35,000, $15,000 team earning
• 7th-8th Place: $30,000, $10,000 team earning
• 9th-10th Place: $25,000, $5,000 team earning

Participating Teams

A total of ten teams have received direct invitations to BLAST Slam II, featuring a mix of established powerhouses and rising challengers:

• PARIVISION
• BetBoom Team
• Team Falcons
• Team Liquid
• Tundra Esports
• Gaimin Gladiators
• Nigma Galaxy
• Xtreme Gaming
• Yakult Brothers
• Talon Esports

With the stage set, let’s break down the tournament favorites, underdogs, and dark horses.

BLAST Slam II Teams - Which Team Should You Look Forward To?

Favorites: The Titans of BLAST Slam II

As expected, the top contenders for this event are Team Falcons, Team Liquid, and BetBoom Team. These three teams have demonstrated incredible consistency throughout the previous season, making them the strongest favorites heading into BLAST Slam II.

• Team Falcons is a dominant force, having ruled most of 2024, and they look set to continue their reign this season.
• Team Liquid has remained stable and strong, even after an offlane player swap, with their synergy only improving over time. Though they stumbled in the ongoing FISSURE Playground, Liquid's reputation still puts them as likely champions.
• BetBoom Team enters as the defending champions, having won the first BLAST Slam event—their first-ever tier-one victory. With their recent success and proven consistency, they are strong contenders to replicate their championship run.

Underdogs: The Teams with a Point to Prove

The underdogs of BLAST Slam II include Yakult Brothers, Nigma Galaxy, and Talon Esports. While these teams have potential, they face tougher competition in this stacked lineup.

• Yakult Brothers is a new Chinese squad featuring legendary players like Ame and Emo, but their regional struggles raise questions about their ability to perform at an international level.
• Nigma Galaxy will play with Ghost as a stand-in for Miracle-, which may impact their performance. While they have improved recently, they have constantly struggled in tier-one events and sometimes even in the MESWA region itself.
• Talon Esports is one of Southeast Asia’s top teams, yet they haven’t significantly impacted the international stage. Although the team recently eliminated Liquid out of FISSURE Playground, the team doesn't have enough consistency on record to push them above the underdog bubble. BLAST Slam II will be a key opportunity for them to change that.

Dark Horses: The Unpredictable Contenders

PARIVISION, Tundra Esports, and Gaimin Gladiators fall into the dark horse category—teams that could shake up expectations but remain unpredictable.

• PARIVISION recently won ESL One Bangkok, but with a last-minute roster change—replacing Crystallis with Satanic—their chemistry remains uncertain. They could surprise everyone or struggle to adapt.
• Tundra Esports and Gaimin Gladiators were dominant forces in 2024, but both have undergone major roster changes. Tundra now has two new core players. Meanwhile, Gaimin Gladiators signed watson, the pub king, as their new carry. However, their form has been shaky since the new season began. The orgs are likely heading toward their great form once again, but whether they can regain their footing in this particular event remains uncertain.

Look Forward to BLAST Slam II!

This high-paced tournament is set to begin in just two days, promising intense competition with no breaks from start to finish. With ten top-tier teams vying for their share of the million-dollar prize pool, BLAST Slam II is shaping up an exciting spectacle!

Can PARIVISION’s new roster prove itself on the big stage? Will Nigma Galaxy finally excel in a tier one event? Can BetBoom defend their throne?

Get ready for an action-packed week as BLAST Slam II kicks off! Stay tuned for match updates, highlights, and analysis as the tournament unfolds.