In a stunning upset, Shopify Rebellion was eliminated from the Riyadh Masters’ North American closed qualifier grand final by Nouns. This defeat has raised concerns about the future of Arteezy’s professional career.
Shopify Rebellion’s Disappointment
Led by ex-Shopify Rebellion player Tal “Fly” Aizik, Nouns secured victory over Shopify with a 3-2 score in the best-of-five grand finals on June 2.
As a result, Artour “Arteezy” Babaev will not be competing in the Riyadh Masters, a tournament boasting a $5 million prize pool and considered one of the biggest Dota 2 events in the current calendar, especially given the decline in TI prize money.
Arteezy’s Criticism
The Canadian superstar carry has faced criticism due to Shopify Rebellion’s repeated underperformance. While some argue it’s a teamwide issue, the constant roster changes while keeping Arteezy (and coach Kanishka “BuLba” Sosale) as central figures haven’t helped matters.
Arteezy has also faced criticism for his AFK farming playstyle and questionable deaths in the mid to late-game. Despite this, the organization has maintained faith in him and BuLba, reshuffling players around them in search of the “perfect balance.”
Reactions and Predictions
Fans and analysts alike have criticized the organization for treating their offlaners as scapegoats after every unsatisfactory tournament result. Just two days ago, Dota 2 analyst Avery “SVG” Silverman blasted the org for the revolving door scenario and predicted MC’s stint would be over in “a good three months.”
The Road Ahead
With the Riyadh dream dead, Shopify only have the TI13 qualifiers to look forward to this year, where they’ll compete for a single North American slot against a handful of teams, including Nouns.
Final Toughts
Shopify Rebellion faces a challenging road ahead, with uncertainties surrounding Arteezy’s future in the professional Dota 2 scene. As they regroup for the TI13 qualifiers, the team must address their issues and strive for a stronger performance to secure their place in the competitive landscape.
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