After winning the Reykjavik International Games against Saga Class Icelandic organisation Dusty will use their prize money to fund a trip to EPIC.LAN 44. This marks a return to the site where they won EPIC.LAN 35 in 2022, exactly 3 years ago.
In 2022, Dusty came in as a total dark horse. They had bolstered their roster with UK superstar Rory “cryths” Ursell before the event and went on to make this crazy lower bracket run to victory. Starting in the first round of the Upper-Bracket the Icelandic squad lost to Temperate but subsequently won six BO3s in a row to lift the trophy eventually besting EKO Esports. [Editor’s note: Including the author of this piece]
cryths raising the EPIC.LAN 35 photo – Credit: EPIC.LAN
Because of Dusty’s success at EPIC.LAN 35 the Icelandic team also received an invite to UKIC’s inaugural Invitational in Spring 2022. Unfortunately, they didn’t fare too well and that was the last time we saw Dusty compete in a UK league, until now.
Dusty, the biggest organisation in Iceland, has secured their dominance over the scene for the previous two Icelandic Esports League finals. However, there are few similarities between the previous Dusty roster to the one put out now.
At the beginning of last season, Dusty led by Árni “leFluff” Bent Þráinsson included Stefán “stebbiC0C0” Guðjónsson, Birnir “brnr” Clausson, T0Paz, and Heiðar Flóvent “Midgard” Friðriksson. Then during the season, Dusty replaced LeFluff with Pressi and gave the captaincy to stebbiC0C0. Unfortunately, this didn’t go too well so after qualifying for the Season 9 Icelandic Esports League finals Dusty made further roster changes. Edvard “EddezeNNN” Heimisson and Þorsteinn “TH0R” Friðfinnsson are familiar faces to the organisation featuring in their rosters since 2020. They also were also on the roster when Dusty won EPIC.LAN 35. The legacy duo came in to secure the finals replacing Pressi and T0Paz with TH0R taking over IGL duties. This bold decision paid evidence as they beat Þór 3-1 in the Icelandic Esports League Season 9 LAN Finals.
Will Dusty lift the EPIC.LAN trophy again? – Credit: EPIC.LAN
However, even though Dusty ruled the regional circuit they struggled internationally leading them to lose their ESEA Main spot in ESEA Season 50. Therefore, Dusty ignored ESEA as they had nothing to play for and focused on making sure they continued their regional domination.
Even though Dusty ended 2024 on a high they have once again revamped their roster. Rebuilding around TH0R, EDDezeNNN and coach Kristjan “kruzer” Finnsson, to complete their roster the Icelandic team brought back familiar faces Elvar “RavlE” Orri Arnarsson and Ásmundur”PANDAZ” Viggósson, who helped them to the Season 8 title. The duo also had won Season 7 on Atlantic. Clearly, they know how to win championships so coming into EPIC.LAN 44 they are a force to be reckoned with. The final piece joining the experienced quartet is Arnar “Vargur” Ingvarsson.
Dusty has laid an iron fist on the Icelandic scene in 2024 and will now cross the sea – can they take back the UK crown?
Við unnum 2:0 gegn Saga og erum því komnir með farmiða á @EPICLAN í Bretlandi, sjáumst þar!
— DUSTY (@dustyiceland) January 25, 2025
Translation: We won 2:0 against Saga and have now secured a ticket to @EPICLAN in the UK, see you there!
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