Deadlock isn't a death sentence for Dota 2 - it's "a gateway," according to caster and ESL product manager 'Avo+'

The Dota 2 ESL One Birmingham 2026 tournament reaches its grand conclusion today, and it's been an impressive showcase full of memorable stories and dramatic comebacks. The big news is the chaos created by Valve's decision to drop a gargantuan, game-changing Dota 2 patch on everyone's heads right before playoffs. Speaking to ESL product manager Álvaro 'Avo+' Sánchez Velasco ahead of the finals, I ask him about the impact of those changes, who his pick is to win, and whether he's worried about the looming shadow of Deadlock and its potential impact on the Dota 2 scene.

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