World of Warcraft

MDI Shadowlands: Season 2 is Ready to Break New Ground

MDI Shadowlands: Season 2 is Ready to Break New Ground

Beginning August 18, the Mythic Dungeon International (MDI) returns for Shadowlands: Season 2 with a new format, only on YouTube!

With $380,000 (USD) on the line, MDI’s next season is set to escalate dungeon-running to a whole new level. Over the last few years, we’ve been consistently improving upon the MDI structure based on a combination of player and viewer feedback as well as our own experience managing competitive PvE. For Season 2, we are iterating even more as we step away from Cups and bring in a new structure. Prepare yourselves for the next evolution of the Mythic Dungeon International!

Three-Phase Groups Format

Flowchart showing the distinct phases of MDI

Following the success of Season 1 and The Great Push, we are set to test the boundaries of what the core-MDI program can do while challenging teams to prove themselves as the best dungeoneers in the world. Throughout Season 1, teams struggled with the extensive time requirements to compete in weekly time trials just for their shot at the broadcast Cups. This format led to player fatigue while it also risked diminishing the stakes of matches as many of the same teams kept advancing to the Cups each week.

For Season 2, we are introducing a new three-phase system that aims to lessen demands on each team while ensuring that every single moment truly matters. Time Trials will determine teams advancing to the group stage, where there will be $80,000 in prizing split across four weekends. The top six teams from the Global Region groups, the top team from China, and a final team from the new Last Stand Tournament will advance to the Global Finals where a $300,000 prize pool will be up for grabs.

Phase 1: Time Trials (August 18 – 24)

  • Any eligible teams can register on Gamebattles from now until August 16. All teams will then compete in Time Trials from August 18 – August 24, with the top 24 teams from the Global Region advancing to Phase 2.

Phase 2: Group Play (September 3 – 19)

  • The top 24 teams will be divided into three separate groups of eight, with one group competing each weekend.  Affixes and dungeon keystone difficulties will vary between each group, with teams having one week to prepare for their matches. They will split a weekly $20,000 prize pool and the top two teams from each group will advance to the Global Finals.

Phase 3: Last Stand Tournament (Dates to be announced later this Summer)

  • All remaining teams will compete in a final open registration Time Trials, with the top six teams advancing to the Last Stand Tournament. We will challenge teams using a similar format to The Great Push, with teams having 15 hours to speed run keystones across multiple dungeons throughout the tournament. We’ll have more details to share, including final dates for the Time Trials and the broadcast weekend before the start of Season 2.

September calendar showing MDI dates: Every Friday-Sunday, October 3-19

In addition to the group structure, Season 2 will also see teams competing across the Shadowlands dungeons while utilizing the new Seasonal Tormented Affix. Be sure to head over to Gamebattles to register for your shot at the total $380,000 (USD) prize pool and title of MDI 2021 Season 2 Global Champions!  

For more information on MDI, including more details ahead of Season 2 as well as the upcoming Burning Crusade Classic Arena Tournament and Arena World Championship Season 2, be sure to follow WoW Esports on Twitter and subscribe to catch every match on YouTube. We’ll see you on De Other Side.

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