On February 22nd, Team Aster’s captain, Yu “皮球” Yajun, made a surprising announcement on Weibo, stating his departure from the team amidst ongoing rumors of Team Aster’s potential disbandment. This development has further fueled speculations within the Dota 2 community.
Team Aster Parts Ways with Its Captain
Yu “皮球” Yajun’s departure from Team Aster was announced on Weibo, where he expressed gratitude to the Aster Club and Boss Xiaofei for their support over the past two years. His departure comes at a crucial time for Team Aster, adding weight to the recent rumors surrounding the team’s potential disbandment.
Team Aster’s Recent Struggles
Team Aster’s recent performances in competitive Dota 2 have been underwhelming, failing to qualify for prominent tournaments such as BetBoom Dacha 2024 Dubai, DreamLeague Season 22, and ESL One Birmingham 2024. They were eliminated in the lower bracket quarter-finals of all three qualifiers, indicating a lack of success in the professional scene.
Remaining Roster
Following Yu “皮球” Yajun’s departure, Team Aster’s roster now comprises only four players:
- Yang “Erika” Shaohan
- Xu “Echo” Ziliang
- Xiao “生死” Yihu
- Pan “Frisk” Yi
A fifth player is yet to be announced (TBD).
Speculations on Team Aster’s Future
Speculations suggest that Team Aster, co-owned by Chinese Dota 2 legend Xu “BurNIng” Zhilei, may consider releasing its Dota 2 roster and exiting the Dota 2 landscape entirely.
This decision could stem from the team’s disappointing performance in the current competitive season, despite achieving 4th place at The International 2022 and being the ESL One Malaysia 2022 runner-up.
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Conclusion
While these rumors are circulating within the Dota 2 community, no official statement has been released by Team Aster regarding the potential disbandment. However, if these speculations hold true, it could signify significant changes for Team Aster and its affiliated teams, including Aster.Aries, Supernova, and Aster.Aquarius.