The upcoming season of the Mobile Legends Professional League Indonesia Season 17 has been set to begin soon. As the highest-level competition in the Indonesian scene of Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, the tournament has been scheduled to start on March 27 and has once again promised intense competition.

Ahead of the new season, every participating team has already announced its roster. Some teams have made significant changes, while others have chosen to maintain the lineups that have already proven solid in previous seasons.

From a general perspective, the top contenders have largely remained the same. Many analysts have believed that the league’s strongest forces have still belonged to teams stacked with star players and extensive competitive experience.

Last season’s top three teams—ONIC Esports, Alter Ego Esports, and EVOS Esports—have continued to draw the most attention heading into the new season. Their rosters have even been considered stronger due to improved depth and organizational stability.

Even so, MPL history has consistently shown that surprises have often come from unexpected directions. In recent seasons, there have always been teams that were initially underestimated but eventually managed to challenge the league’s biggest contenders.

This reality has made the term MPL Dark Horse one of the most intriguing storylines each season. Every year, several teams have performed beyond expectations and have threatened the dominance of the top contenders.

3 MPL Dark Horse Teams in MPL ID S17

With the new season starting on March 27, many observers have begun predicting which teams could emerge as MPL Dark Horse contenders in Season 17. Despite receiving less attention, several squads have possessed the potential to create major surprises.

Here are three teams that could become MPL Dark Horse contenders and make the race for the playoffs far more competitive.

1. NaVi

The first team that could become an MPL Dark Horse is Natus Vincere, commonly known as NaVi. Interestingly, this team has not made any major roster changes heading into the new season.

Core players such as Andoryu, Uk1r, Kars, Xyve, and Aphro have remained the backbone of the team. The decision to keep the lineup intact has indicated that the management has continued to trust the chemistry that has already been built.

One advantage of this decision has been team stability. While many other teams have needed time to rebuild coordination after roster changes, NaVi has already had a well-established synergy among its players.

NaVi has also strengthened its coaching staff. The team has been guided by Ynot, a coach who previously won a world championship with ONIC Philippines.

With a stable roster and an experienced coach, it has not been an exaggeration to call NaVi one of the MPL Dark Horse teams capable of delivering major surprises in Season 17.

2. Dewa United Esports

The second team that could become an MPL Dark Horse is Dewa United Esports. Unlike many other teams that have undergone major roster overhauls, Dewa has only made minor adjustments.

The most significant change has occurred in the jungler position. After the departure of Reyy, the team has recruited two new junglers, Dolyn and Kayn, to strengthen their gameplay.

This move has been considered interesting because the jungler role has often been one of the most crucial positions in competitive play. With two options available, Dewa has gained greater strategic flexibility.

Several players from other MPL teams have even mentioned Dewa as a potential MPL Dark Horse during media day sessions. They have believed that the team’s true strength has not always been visible on paper.

Because of that, Dewa United could become a serious threat to the league’s top teams. If they maintain consistent performances, they could deliver surprising results throughout the season.

3. Team Liquid ID

The final team that could become an MPL Dark Horse is Team Liquid Indonesia. This organization has been one of the last to announce its roster ahead of Season 17.

When the lineup was finally revealed, many fans were surprised. The roster did not feature major star players.

Some familiar names have remained, including Aran and Kevin, who was previously known by the nickname Jo. Their presence has provided a degree of stability in an otherwise fresh roster.

The team has also included Kyou as the only gold laner. Meanwhile, the roamer role has been filled by Lyoni, who has returned after completing a loan stint with Monster Vicious in MPL Malaysia.

Team Liquid ID has also introduced a rookie mid laner named Drichel. Without big-name players, the roster has appeared less glamorous compared to the league’s top contenders.

However, this situation could actually work in their favor. Without the pressure of heavy expectations, Team Liquid ID has had the freedom to play more confidently and showcase its true potential.

Circumstances like this have often turned teams into dangerous MPL Dark Horse contenders. If they find the right chemistry, Team Liquid ID could deliver a major surprise in MPL ID Season 17.

In the end, the presence of MPL Dark Horse teams has always been one of the elements that has made the league more exciting. Underdog teams have frequently reshaped the competitive landscape and even prevented major teams from reaching the playoffs.

With MPL ID S17 starting on March 27, fans will certainly watch closely to see whether NaVi, Dewa United, or Team Liquid ID can truly prove themselves as the MPL Dark Horse of the season.

The Competition in MPL ID S17 Has Been Different

The new season of the Mobile Legends Professional League Indonesia Season 17 has been expected to deliver a different competitive dynamic compared to previous seasons. This has not only been due to roster changes but also because of a major objective that every team has been pursuing.

Every team has aimed to perform at its best throughout the regular season and the playoffs. This has become extremely important because results in MPL ID S17 will determine which teams will represent Indonesia in a major international tournament.

This season, only two teams will secure tickets to the most prestigious global event in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang competitive scene. Those two slots will go to the teams that reach the grand final of MPL ID Season 17.

This means the competition will not stop at simply qualifying for the playoffs. Teams must reach the grand final if they want to guarantee a place in the global tournament. That has made this season far more crucial.

The tournament in question is the Esports World Cup through qualification for the Mid Season Cup MLBB 2026. The event has become one of the biggest international stages for MLBB teams across multiple regions.

With massive prize pools and global prestige at stake, every MPL ID team will likely deliver maximum performance. Even teams previously labeled as MPL Dark Horse contenders could seize the opportunity to shine.

In conditions like these, the league’s top contenders cannot afford to feel too comfortable. The presence of MPL Dark Horse teams has often made the competition unpredictable.

If teams like NaVi, Dewa United Esports, or Team Liquid Indonesia maintain consistent performances, they could disrupt the dominance of the top teams. It is even possible that one of them could secure a playoff spot.

This situation has made MPL ID S17 appear far more open than previous seasons. Every match could become decisive for a team’s journey toward the final stage of the competition.

Ultimately, the battle for two tickets to MSC at the Esports World Cup 2026 will become the main motivation for every team. With equal pressure and ambition across the league, it would not be surprising if an MPL Dark Horse team becomes the most compelling storyline of MPL ID Season 17.