B8 Esports, or simply B8, is a Ukrainian professional Dota 2 team founded in January 2020 by Dota 2 Legend Danil “Dendi” Ishutin. Known for his historic tenure with Natus Vincere and winning The International 2011, Dendi set out to create a new competitive force in the esports landscape. Despite facing numerous challenges, roster changes, and an unprecedented losing streak, B8 has remained an enduring presence in the global Dota 2 scene, continually striving for success.
B8 Esports – A New Beginning for Dendi
After spending eight years with Natus Vincere, Danil “Dendi” Ishutin founded his own esports organization, B8 Esports, in early 2020. His departure from Na’Vi marked the end of an Era, but also the beginning of a new journey that sought to recapture his former glory on the battlefield.
Early Roster and Struggles
B8 debuted with a roster including pio65, Dendi, Ghostik, KingR, and LeBronDota. Despite the initial excitement, the team’s performance was underwhelming. B8 struggled in its first tournaments and went on to suffer a 25-game losing streak, marking one of the longest losing streaks in Dota 2 history.
Roster Changes and Initial Adjustments
To address their poor form, B8 introduced roster changes, replacing pio65 with Xcalibur. However, this move did little to improve their results, and soon, the team saw the departure of several members. Ghostik, KingR, and LeBronDota exited, making way for a new lineup featuring Crystallis, LastHero, 5up, and Fishman. Despite breaking their losing streak with a 2-0 victory against FlyToMoon 2.0, this roster also struggled to secure consistent wins, failing to qualify for key tournaments.
B8’s South American Experiment
Hoping to turn things around, B8 made a bold move in early 2021, recruiting South American players. Brazilian playersRdO, SexyFat, and Duster joined, accompanied by coaches Astini and MeTTpuM. However, the experiment failed, as the team underperformed in the ESL One CIS Online Season 1 qualifiers. B8 was relegated to the Lower Division, and despite a mid-tier finish at Snow Sweet Snow #2, they abandoned the South American approach by March 2021.
Continuous Struggles in the DPC
Following the South American setback, B8 attempted another transformation by bringing in players DkFogas, NoFear, and Watson. This move included a strategic merger with XactJlepbI, allowing them to compete in the Lower Division without going through qualifiers. Despite a brief improvement in stability, B8 ultimately failed to make a lasting impact, losing to Team Unique in the Eastern Europe qualifiers for The International 2021.
Frequent Roster Adjustments
- Watson, Limitless, and NoFear eventually left, joining different teams.
- B8 continued to experiment with roster changes but failed to find a stable winning formula.
A Radical Shift – Relocating to North America
Heading into the next DPC season, B8 made a drastic move by acquiring Wildcard Gaming’s DPC slot in North America and relocating to Mexico. This structural shift provided them with a fresh competitive environment and introduced a revamped roster featuring StoneBank, Funn1k, MoOz, and Lodine.
North America Challenges
Despite initial setbacks, B8 managed to retain their Division I status by clutching crucial victories at the end of the season. Subsequently, they replaced MoOz with CTOMAHEH1 and achieved a mid-table finish.
Impact of the Russia-Ukraine War
Due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, B8 players faced travel restrictions preventing them from moving to Mexico. However, PGL granted them an exemption, allowing them to continue playing in the North America DPC while residing in Ukraine. Despite this, they barely held on in the third Tour, narrowly escaping relegation.
The Road to The International 2023
Leading into the North America qualifiers for The International 2023, B8 once again revamped their roster, bringing in V-Tune in place of Funn1k and replacing Lodine with Kidaro. Although they performed well, securing wins against Wildcard Gaming and DogChamp, they ultimately fell short against Nouns in the Grand Final.
Post-DPC Success
Following the end of the Dota Pro Circuit as announced by Valve, B8 entered a period of relative success:
- Placed 3rd-4th in Pinnacle Cup: Malta Vibes #4.
- Won the European Pro League Season 14, defeating Team Tickles in the Grand Final.
- Despite their successes, they failed to qualify for major tournaments such as ESL One Kuala Lumpur.
Current Roster
B8’s latest iteration features a refined squad:
- Dendi (Danil Ishutin) – Midlaner and team captain.
- CTOMAHEH1 (Nikolay Kalchev) – Position 4 support.
FAQs – B8 Dota 2
What is B8 Esports?
B8 Esports is a professional Dota 2 organization founded by Danil “Dendi” Ishutin in 2020.
Who is Dendi?
Dendi is a legendary Dota 2 player known for winning The International 2011 with Natus Vincere.
Why did B8 relocate to North America?
B8 moved to North America after acquiring Wildcard Gaming’s DPC slot to compete in a different regional environment.
What was B8’s longest losing streak?
B8 holds the record for the longest losing streak in professional Dota 2, with 26 consecutive losses.
How has B8 performed in recent tournaments?
Recently, B8 won the European Pro League Season 14 and finished 3rd-4th in the Pinnacle Cup: Malta Vibes #4.
Is Dendi still playing for B8?
Yes, Dendi remains an active player on the team, serving as the midlaner and leader.
Why did B8’s South American experiment fail?
The South American roster struggled to perform in CIS competitions and was discontinued due to poor results.
What is B8’s current Dota 2 roster?
The team includes Dendi as the midlaner and CTOMAHEH1 as a support player.
Has B8 ever won a tournament?
Yes, B8 won the European Pro League Season 14 by defeating Team Tickles in the Grand Final.
Where can I follow B8 Esports?
You can follow B8 Esports on Liquipedia here.
How to Follow B8 Esports
- Visit their Liquipedia page for latest updates.
- Follow their social media accounts for roster changes and match schedules.
- Watch their games in official tournaments via Twitch and YouTube.
- Join the Dota 2 community forums to discuss their strategies and team performance.
