News - Page 4

Esports Nations Cup 2026 Unveils $45 Million Prize & Development Fund
The inaugural Esports Nations Cup (ENC) is scheduled to commence in November 2026, backed by a $45 million commitment from the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) in the form of prize money, incentives, and development funds.

Dota 2 Chen Breakdown: Abilities, Playstyle, and Strategy
Chen is a support who turns neutral creeps into tools for ganks, pushes, and saves. He rewards players who plan routes, control units well, and play for early objectives. This Dota 2 Chen breakdown explains what Chen does, how his abilities work together, and how to choose items and creeps without wasting time. Chen's Lore Chen is known as the Holy Knight. He was born in the Hazhadal Barrens and grew up among outlaws that used animal enthrallment to survive.more

Esports Nations Cup Adds Dota 2 To List of Games
Saudi Arabia continues to invest in the Esports ecosystem. The yearly EWC has become one of the biggest events of the year for over 20 titles and this year, a new tournament will be introduced. The Esports Nations Cup aims to bring countries together to compete across 16 titles. Two have already been announced, and now Dota 2 joins the list of games being played. Esports Nations Cup will include 32 Dota 2 teams One thing that stands out ismore

Valve’s $900 Million Headache: Does the UK Lawsuit Actually Hold Merit?
In a significant legal blow to the operator of the world’s largest PC gaming platform, a UK court has ruled that a £656 million (approx. $900 million) class-action lawsuit against Valve Corporation can proceed to trial. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of 14 million UK Steam users, alleges that Valve has abused its dominant market position to overcharge gamers.

Blood of the Dragon: The Lore of Dota 2’s Dragon Knight
Dragon Knight is one of the most lore-rich heroes in Dota 2. Known as Sir Davion, he is both a disciplined knight and the vessel of an ancient dragon. His story is built on honor, sacrifice, and a bond formed through blood and death. This article explores the full lore of Dragon Knight, focusing on his origins, personality, powers, and the lasting consequences of carrying an Eldwurm within his body. The Origins of Dragon Knight Sir Davion of the Scaledmore

Team Liquid in Crisis: Out of ESL Birmingham 2026
Team Liquid has always been a powerhouse but seems to be going through a crisis since the retirement of Aydin "Insania" Sarkohi. After a string of inconsistent results and struggling to find equilibrium with their new roster, Liquid failed to qualify to the ESL Birmingham 2026.

BLAST Slam VI: Full List of Invites and Regional Winners
The BLAST Slam VI will kickstart the 2026 Dota 2 professional circuit in Malta on February 3 and we'll take a look at the full list of invites and the regional winners from the qualifiers. While some tournaments go years without major changes, the BLAST Slam series continues to evolve with every edition.

Esports World Cup 2026 Tickets: Prices, Sales Dates, and How to Purchase
The first wave of Esports World Cup 2026 tickets is now live on the EWC website, and fans have the option to choose from Weekly All Access Passes, Premium Tournament Passes, and an exclusive Esports Embassy Experience.

Dota 2 Patch 7.40c Brings Largo Into Captain's Mode!
Dota 2 patch 7.40c is here and it brings a multitude of changes. The biggest impact of the new update is the introduction of Largo into Captain's Mode. Dota 2's main competitive mode. This is one of the fastest introduction's of a hero from release into the competitive scene. Aside from Largo, several other heroes have been tweaked, so let's dive into the latest update! The biggest changes of Dota 2 patch 7.40c Clinkz, Timbersaw, and Jakiro recieve sizable nerfsmore

Is an EWC CS Major on the Horizon? EWC Media Rumble Takeaways 2026
Strafe Esports was recently invited to attend a media event organized by the EWC (Esports World Cup). In it, an open discussion was held around EWC 2026 and beyond, answering some of the bigger questions surrounding one of the world’s biggest emerging esports tournament organizers.

The Living Nightmare: The Dark Power of Bane in Dota 2
Bane in Dota 2 wins fights by removing one enemy from the game, then doing it again. He does not clear waves fast or burst whole teams. He locks down key targets, drains their strength, and forces awkward saves that break enemy positioning. This article explains Bane’s lore, abilities, talents, and support playstyle using only the details provided. Who is Bane? Bane is also known as Atropos, the Bane Elemental. He formed from the midnight terrors of the goddess Nyctasha.more

Strafe Recommends: KheZu
We are back with the Strafe Recommends series, and 2026 starts with Maurice “KheZu” Gutmann and his excellent YouTube channel, also called KheZu. He began his professional career as a Heroes of Newerth (HoN) player. His first notable team was DmSn/KD, where he played alongside another well-known Dota 2 name: Aydin “iNSaNiA” Sarkohi.

Why Slardar Remains One of Dota 2’s Deadliest Initiators
Slardar is a physical damage hero built to hunt targets and force fights. He relies on speed, vision, and armor reduction to control the map and pressure enemy cores. When played correctly, Slardar turns small openings into decisive kills and keeps opponents exposed at all times. Read further to learn how Slardar works, why his abilities matter, and how to play him effectively from early game to late game. Understanding Slardar’s Role Slardar fills several roles at once. He canmore









