Shanghai Dragons unveils 2023 OWL lineup

The Shanghai Dragons have announced their lineup for the 2023 Overwatch League season. With this, they calmed the waters about what would happen to the Overwatch 2 scene in China after the game left their servers.

The relationship between NetEase and Blizzard is completely broken, and this caused a lot of concern among fans and the organizations themselves, as it was not known what could happen in the Chinese scene.

Shanghai Dragons reveals its lineup for the 2023 OWL season

A few hours ago, the Shanghai Dragons announced the squad that will wear their colors in this new Overwatch League season. Despite this, fans were stunned by the announcement, as the lineup has been completely revamped, except for Kim “Fleta” Byung-sun, who returns in an unexpected role.

Popular Chinese player and multiple MVP award winner in his career, Fleta, has decided to make a role change from DPS to tank for this season. Thus, this will be the first time in his career that the player will compete professionally as a tank.

Another surprise in this lineup is Bae “diem” Min-Seong, who retired in 2021 after several seasons with Shanghai Dragons and now returns to the team with a role change. Diem will move from playing DPS to Support.

One of the most experienced Supports available in the OWL is Kang “Gangnamjin” Nam-jin, who comes to Shanghai Dragons from NYXL. Gangnamjin is a veteran player who has been part of the league since its inception and has belonged to teams like RunAway, Florida Mayhem, and the New York Excelsior.

The DPS line is made up of experienced and young players

Finally, the team’s starting lineup is completed by the DPS line between a rookie and an experienced player. Jeong “Heesu” Hee-su, an experienced player who was part of RunAway and Florida Mayhem with Gangnamjin, will play as DPS with rookie Lee “Viper” Jung-woong, who, at only 17 years old, will make his OWL debut.

Viper is well known in the Contenders scene as he was in the San Francisco Shock Academy (O2 Blast) for two years. In the 2022 season, Viper led his team to win the Overwatch Contenders 2022 Pacific Showdown, crushing Sin Prisa Gaming 4-0 in the finals and showing spectacular skill with Genji.

Uncertainties due to changes in roles

While most players have been widely known to OWL fans for several years, the role swapping creates an unknown that will add an ingredient for this 2023 season.

To some, the team’s roster, which features both experienced players and rookies looking to the future, is a true fantasy team. The roster changes follow the dismissal of players and staff after 2022, which alarmed the SHD faithful about the team’s future.

The Shanghai Dragons will make their Overwatch League 2023 debut on April 27.

Header: Shanghai Dragons