Heroic has been one of the standout teams in Dota 2 over the past months. Known for its South American roster under a European banner, the team grabbed attention worldwide after securing victory at the PGL Wallachia #2 by defeating Falcons. Central to this achievement was Parker, who had stepped in to replace K1 following The International 2024. However, a series of disappointing performances has led to his unexpected departure from the team.
Source: Heroic
Heroic’s Rise and Fall in 2024
Initially, Heroic seemed poised for greatness. The team’s victory at the PGL Wallachia #2, with Parker as their carry, solidified their status as a formidable squad. Yet, their momentum took a sharp downturn soon after. At DreamLeague 24, Heroic’s performance faltered dramatically, resulting in their elimination during the group stage. This failure was met with widespread disappointment among fans who had high expectations.
Things went from bad to worse during the ESL One Bangkok Closed Qualifiers, where Heroic entered as favorites. Despite this, they were defeated in a close 3-2 Grand Final against Beastcoast, losing their chance to participate in the year’s final major tournament.
Parker’s Departure and Controversy
On the heels of these setbacks, Heroic announced that Parker was no longer part of their roster. The decision came after what the organization described as an incident during the ESL One Bangkok qualifiers. According to their statement, Parker displayed a “lack of commitment to victory,” a claim that has sparked considerable debate within the community.
Although the exact incident was not detailed in Heroic’s announcement, reports suggest it stemmed from a controversial decision during a crucial match against Beastcoast. While his team fought for Roshan, Parker allegedly chose to push barracks in the middle lane, a move that some deemed strategically unwise.
Heroic concluded their statement by confirming that they will compete in the BLAST Slam I with Yuma as Parker’s replacement.
Parker Responds to the Accusations
Following Heroic’s announcement, Parker took to his Facebook page to share his side of the story. In his statement, he detailed the internal conflicts he experienced with certain team members during his brief tenure with the roster. He also expressed his frustration with how the situation was handled, defending his actions and professionalism.
Source: Parker
In a separate post, Parker revealed that he is now actively seeking opportunities with teams in any region, signaling his intent to continue competing at the highest level in Dota 2 in 2025.