posted by Smyke,
OG, Team Secret and the former Team Liquid squad – they belong to the best teams in the world, but do they still need to go through Open Qualifiers?

Update two: 27/11/2019



Reining world champion OG announced that they will not take part in the second Major either. Therefore, one of the biggest threats in the European Qualifiers is eliminated.





*Update: 27/11/2019



It's official now: The top teams from The International 2019 won't be invited to the next Major Regional Qualifier, but have to make it through the Open Qualifier. Only two teams will make it through that first stage.

Here are all invites for the Regional Qualifier:




Original news



The first Major of the season is still going on, but fans and experts are already discussing the qualifier for the next Major. DreamLeague Season 13: The Leipzig Major will be held in Leipzig, Germany, in late January. Accordingly, the qualifiers are going to be played soon:



The Open Qualifiers start just four days after the Grand Finals of the first Major in Chengdu. Usually, the scene isn't too interested in the Open Qualifiers, because good teams get directly invited to the Closed Qualifier. This time it could be completely different. It's said that "the top 8 teams with DPC points are invited. 2 Open qualifier spots. In case not enough teams have DPC points, Valve will decide how to distribute the remaining slots."

Ninjas in Pyjamas and Ad Finem) competed at the Minor and two are fighting at the Major right now: (Team Liquid and Alliance). That makes four European teams with DPC points, right? Wrong!

Points are earned by all 16 teams playing in the Major and all 8 teams playing in the Minor, as well as every team in the regional qualifiers.


The rules changed for this season of the DPC. This time not only teams competing in the DPC events gain points, but also teams that attend the closed qualifiers. This means teams such as Hippomaniacs, Wind and Rain, GODSENT, Team Singularity earned ten DPC points each for attending the first Closed Qualifier.

Only two teams can make it through the Open Qualifier



This would mean: OG, Secret and Kuro's team have to go through the Open Qualifier if they compete at all. Three world-class teams and only two spots left for the Closed Qualifier. In the end, one of those teams won't even make it into the second Phase which might put them into an even worse position. Because they also won't make any DPC points in this qualifier, they'll have to go through the Open Qualifier once more for the third Major.

The only thing that could save them from attending the first Phase is if enough teams with DPC points disband and Europe doesn't have eight teams for the invites. Those three teams could be punished hard for taking an extended break during the first Major of the season.

Will the qualifier dates change?





According to Vitalii 'V1lat' Volochai Valve asked DreamLeague to change the dates of the qualifier from December 1-6 to December 8-14. However, teams are protesting against that decision now, because some are competing in the ONE Dota 2 Singapore tournament which overlaps with the new qualifier dates.

So far, no solution has been announced that pleases all sides. We'll keep you informed.

What is your take on this?



Photo credit: Valve

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