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Natus Vincere voice their disappointment in ESL after being disqualified from ESL One Raleigh

BBG News

Following the disqualification of Natus Vincere Junior at ESL One Raleigh, the NAVI organization has issued a statement regarding the matter.

On January 22, 2025, ESL, the organizers of ESL One Raleigh, declared via their old platform (previously known as Twitter) that Natus Vincere Junior would be disqualified from the Western Europe qualifiers. This decision was made due to a bug exploit involving the character Smoke, which had been flagged in other competitions as a valid reason for disqualification. Subsequently, ESL initiated a comprehensive investigation into the qualifiers, and yesterday they published their results.

Natus Vincere Junior and the smoke bug of Dota 2

As a Dota 2 gamer, I’ve come across a nifty trick regarding the Smoke of Deceit item. If I suspect an enemy has this item but I can’t see them directly, I can try interacting with their inventory. By clicking and dragging the item icon, if an error message pops up saying I don’t control that unit, it means they have indeed used the Smoke of Deceit. This little trick helps keep me in the loop about my opponents’ tactics.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but share my thoughts about the ESL One Raleigh 2025 qualifiers. The spotlight was on NAVI Junior after they triumphed in the lower bracket final, but the limelight turned sour when AVULUS accused them of using a bug. An immediate investigation ensued, leading to their swift disqualification. This sudden decision sparked a significant wave of uproar among fans like myself.

On January 29, 2025, ESL will release a detailed report following their investigation into the discovered bug and the qualifiers. This document will outline which teams were suspected of using the bug and how frequently it was used by each team. The report will also suggest varying penalties based on the seriousness of the infractions uncovered during the investigation.

The full investigation and findings posted by ESL can be found here.

NAVI hits back at ESL

After wrapping up the investigation, it was determined that three teams – 9Pandas, NAVI Junior, and Aurora Gaming – had violated rules by exploiting a bug. As a result, these teams have been disqualified from the event. This decision impacts each team differently.

  • Natus VIncere Junior – disqualified and lost their spot at ESL One Raleigh.
  • 9Pandas – disqualified and unable to join if a team from their region is unable to attend.
  • Aurora Gaming – disqualified and unable to join if a team from their region is unable to attend.

After the initial disqualification of NAVI Junior, fans have been advocating that all teams should face a similar situation. Specifically, teams like Team Spirit and Tundra Esports were suspected of using the same bug; however, with the conclusion of the investigation, it appears that they are now off the hook.

Following the apparent resolution, the NAVI organization publicly addressed X, accusing ESL of their investigation. The group stands by its players, asserting they weren’t made aware of any ban on the bug. They further contend that the widespread nature of this bug and the fact that teams were informed about the offense solely during PGL Wallachia were key factors in their stance.

NAVI replaced at ESL One Raleigh 2025

Currently, it appears that the decision has been made irreversible, and NAVI may not have an opportunity for an appeal. Unlike some teams who received a light penalty or just a fine, the three teams in question will bear the full weight of the punishment. After all the commotion subsides, AVULUS is set to replace NAVI Junior at ESL One Raleigh 2025.

The highly-anticipated tournament begins on April 7, featuring a total of 12 teams vying for a portion of the $1,000,000 prize money. As all teams have been confirmed as free from bug abuse at present, it appears that these teams are set to compete in ESL One Raleigh 2025.

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2025-02-02 07:11

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