The International 2025: Assembling the Group Stage Dream Team

The cacophony of the group stage at The International 2025 has settled, leaving behind a trail of shattered expectations, soaring triumphs, and, most importantly, a clear demarcation of individual brilliance. While teams now brace themselves for the merciless crucible of the playoffs, it`s an opportune moment to pause and commend the players who, through sheer skill and strategic foresight, elevated their performances beyond the ordinary. This isn`t just a list; it`s a testament to the architects of early dominance, the five players who formed the bedrock of their teams` success and collectively earned their spot in our “Road to The International” All-Star roster.

The Architects of Dominance: Our TI 2025 Group Stage All-Stars

Building a dream team from such a competitive pool is no small feat, but certain names shone with an undeniable luminosity. These are the players who didn`t just play their roles; they redefined them.

Wang “Ame” Chunyu (Carry) – The Unkillable Enigma

Whispers of Ame`s return to peak form were abundant, but his performance in the Group Stage of The International 2025 wasn`t just a return; it was a defiant proclamation. The Xtreme Gaming carry was nothing short of a ghost in the machine for his opponents, demonstrating an almost supernatural ability to stay alive. There were moments, as legend tells it, where rivals embarked on personal quests just to land a single killing blow – often to no avail.

Historically, Ame`s farming prowess was never in question, but sometimes his impact felt tethered to the safe lanes. At TI 2025, however, he showcased a perfect equilibrium: immaculate farm intertwined with audacious, timely teamfight engagements. He wasn`t merely a gold-generating machine; he was a precision instrument, arriving exactly when and where he was needed, proving that the King of Carries indeed has reclaimed his throne, complete with a refreshed, aggressive crown.

Danil “gpk~” Skutin (Mid) – The Unyielding Mid-Lane General

Some players are consistent; gpk~ is an institution. Throughout the year, his name has been a recurring fixture in “best player” discussions, and The International 2025 Group Stage simply reinforced this. Skutin`s mastery spans every phase of the game, from the intricate dance of the laning stage to the final push against the enemy Ancient. What makes his performance truly remarkable is his ability to lead the charge, playing highly aggressive initiators like Earthshaker, Sand King, and Puck, all while maintaining an astonishingly low death count. He is the paradox of aggression and resilience.

In a role often characterized by volatile playmakers, gpk~ stands out as the epitome of reliability. There is arguably no mid-laner at TI currently who offers such a potent blend of stability and game-winning impact.

Ammar “ATF” Al-Assaf (Offlane) – The Offlane Innovator

If you`ve followed Ammar “ATF” Al-Assaf`s journey, his performance at TI 2025 felt like a grand return to his most formidable self. This is an off-laner who doesn`t just react; he dictates. ATF consistently engineers opportunities for his team, crafting leads through a blend of impeccable personal execution and, more notably, unconventional decision-making. He approaches Dota 2 like a high-stakes chess match, laying elaborate traps, baiting opponents into disastrous engagements, and striking when least expected.

Crucially, the “excessive ego” that sometimes characterized his earlier days appears to have been meticulously refined. The current ATF is willing to make personal sacrifices if it yields a greater strategic advantage for his team. His hero pool, ranging from a custom-designed Monkey King offlane that few can replicate, to a peerless Pangolier, and classic Bristleback and Mars, feels less like a selection and more like a collection of signature weapons. Attempting to counter this version of ATF is, frankly, an exercise in futility.

Edgar “9Class” Naltakyan (Soft Support) – The Shadow Maestro of Map Control

Edgar “9Class” Naltakyan embodies a style of support play that is as active as it is unorthodox, and as effective as it is understated. His defining characteristic is total map control. He`s the player who will tirelessly de-ward every enemy vision point, smoke out every hidden observer, pull enemy teleport scrolls to disrupt movements, and then, inexplicably, escape alive from situations that would spell doom for others.

While his KDA might not always be flashy, his macro utility for the team is immeasurable. His Slark support is a particular bane for opponents: a permanent scout, a timely save, and a master of survivability. This TI also saw him revive the forgotten support Alchemist, ingeniously farming Aghanim`s Scepter for his teammates. And of course, his Monkey King support continues its reign of terror against enemy couriers, effectively crippling their early game. 9Class executes a colossal volume of “dirty work,” often on heroes well outside the traditional meta, making him a nightmare to predict and counter. His game may not always be the most spectacular, but it is undeniably the most effective in his position.

Maroun “GH” Merhej (Hard Support) – The Backbone of Nigma`s Revival

Nigma Galaxy, by many accounts, was an underdog heading into the playoffs. Their mere qualification from the group stage was a minor sensation, and a significant portion of that credit belongs squarely to Maroun “GH” Merhej. GH wasn`t necessarily topping leaderboards for warding, assists, or creep stacks. His genius lay in providing the crucial balance to a team that, at times, teetered on the brink of chaotic disarray, especially during critical teamfights.

Merhej was the quiet guardian, consistently bailing out his teammates with clutch saves on heroes like Pugna and Tusk. His impeccable positioning ensured that he was always in the right place, at the right time, pouring tons of HP into allies and deploying perfectly timed Glimmer Capes to turn the tide. A pivotal moment, arguably the one that secured Nigma`s playoff berth, was GH`s 200 IQ Snowball on a reviving Nightfall against Aurora, disrupting their carry and completely flipping a crucial teamfight. He is the player who shines brightest under pressure, consistently delivering maximum impact in the most stressful, high-stakes moments. Every team, deep down, wishes for a `five` like GH.

The International 2025 Group Stage Dream Team: A Unified Force

Here is our compiled dream team, a roster boasting a formidable blend of aggression, resilience, innovation, and unwavering support:

• Carry: Wang “Ame” Chunyu (Xtreme Gaming)
• Mid: Danil “gpk~” Skutin ([Team Name])
• Offlane: Ammar “ATF” Al-Assaf ([Team Name])
• Soft Support (Position 4): Edgar “9Class” Naltakyan ([Team Name])
• Hard Support (Position 5): Maroun “GH” Merhej (Nigma Galaxy)

As the playoffs beckon, promising even more thrilling Dota 2 action, these five players have already carved their names into the annals of The International 2025 with their exceptional group stage performances. Their individual brilliance, combined, paints a vivid picture of strategic depth and mechanical mastery that defines the pinnacle of competitive Dota 2.

Who would make your ultimate dream team from the Group Stage? Share your picks and let the debate continue!