AVULUS form new Dota 2 roster ahead of DreamLeague qualifiers

AVULUS announced a new Dota 2 lineup on Monday, September 22, featuring three new players and Aliaksei “Smiling Knight” Svirydau as the only carryover.

The new roster includes two players who previously represented the team — including Marcel “Ekki” Hołowienko, who returned after a two-month stay at MOUZ.

Joining him are ex-Virtus.pro player Artem “lorenof” Melnyk, Dmitry “JANTER” Nikulin, and Jonáš “SabeRLight-” Volek, who arrives on a loan from Team Liquid.

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  Fast Payouts

The new squad features a mix of young players, such as lorenof and Ekki, as well as Dota 2 veterans like SabeRLight-.

However, despite his young age, lorenof has already gained some Tier 1 experience during his time at Aurora Gaming and Tundra Esports, with whom he won two silver medals in 2024 at BetBoom Dacha Belgrade and Blast Slam I.

SabeRLight-, on the other hand, is the most experienced member of the AVULUS lineup.

The Czech offlaner started his career in 2017 and has since played for several big teams, including Quincy Crew, Ninjas in Pyjamas, TSM, Shopify Rebellion, and Team Liquid.

With Liquid, he won two PGL Wallachia trophies and FISSURE Universe: Episode 5 before a disappointing ninth-13th finish at The International.

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  The bookies' bookie

Of the new arrivals, JANTER is the biggest enigma, as he has yet to feature in the upper echelons of competitive Dota 2.

The Russian previously played for ShashMin, with whom he reached the semifinals of the Esports World Cup 2025 Eastern European open qualifiers.

AVULUS will debut their new roster this week at the Western European closed qualifier for DreamLeague Season 27.

Their first match is scheduled for Wednesday, September 24, when AVULUS face off against Passion UA.