first, we differentiate this 3 model series. basically its the same, just a slightly different specs suchs as
-display type
-hdd storage type (ssd/sshd/hdd) /msata equip
-vram capacity (some equip wif different gpu as well)
-ram capacity
i understand that if u r doing something related with android programming or developing... i suggest you get good value of notebook but spend more on ram and storage, since you just play dota 2 (like me, anyway, same range mmr with you.

) and im doing programming development as well (but not much), since im majoring in data comm and networking. trust me, what your supervisor said is true. i did something similar too.. processing up to 10 hours and glad i do it with my desktop. at beginning, i have option just like you, desktop or laptop. but, i endup go for desktop since i rarely moving around. and i even carry it for my fyp presentation.
i could give your advice on this.

anyway, what you said true, some countries have different ROG model especially in europe, korea, china and might be in US as well. for SEA region esp malaysia, they not importing all ROG model, so, there is certain model that is not in the market. not only asus, different notebook brand as well. so, some series with the suffix are not available in malaysia.
lowyat plaza, maybe you can go to viewnet or allIT there, at least, it is trusted genuine. dont go to bangla shop. some sell very2 cheap, claim original as well, well, i dont want to risk buying from them; there is something makes the price with a huge gap.
maybe can do COD or visit physical store for seller in lowyat.. some of them around KL/Selangor area.