Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
Image via Valve

Na’Vi and Virtus Pro swap Lil and RodjER days before the roster lock

It's the CIS-region blockbuster trade of the season.
This article is over 6 years old and may contain outdated information

The CIS-region Dota 2 scene just got shaken up hard. Earlier today, Natus Vincere and Virtus Pro revealed that they would be trading support players Vladimir “RodjER” Nikogosyan and Ilya “Lil” Ilyuk, effective immediately.

Recommended Videos

The news was announced by both organizations, with just four days remaining before the winter roster lock on Feb. 5. According to Na’Vi’s press release, VP approached the organization with a transfer offer, which was then negotiated. The teams agreed to the trade, with some cash included in the deal.

“Right after ESL One Genting, I was contacted by Virtus Pro’s general manager over RodjER’s transfer,” said Yevhen Zolotarov, CEO of Na’Vi. “We agreed on the transfer sum and proposed to add Lil to the deal. After VP agreed, we set up negotiations, which had a successful outcome.”

This roster change is perhaps the biggest in the current Pro Circuit “split” since Saahil “UNiVeRsE” Arora’s departure from Evil Geniuses last month—and subsequent signing with Southeast Asian squad Fnatic. Together with VP, Lil won and placed well at several high-profile tournaments, and was a large part of their success in 2017.

As for RodjER, both fans and analysts were in agreement that he was one of the two stars in Team Empire’s top 8 run at The International 7, alongside Roman “Resolut1on” Fominok. Few can seriously doubt his potential to achieve great things as a pro player, though so far he has not shown this in terms of concrete event results. Now that he is surrounded by the undisputed elite of the CIS region, we could see him reach the next level.

Lil and RodjER will both be playing the utility support role for their new teams.


Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Patrick Bonifacio
Patrick Bonifacio
Dota 2 Writer