The champion will probably be topped this weekend and with an entire week to organize and examine their opponents, we really feel like the extent of competitors within the high 4 this 12 months must be distinctive. This format won’t be to everybody’s liking, however the stress is palpable, the stage is about and it’s time to have a look at the 4 greatest Dota 2 groups on the planet.
The one non-Western European squad left within the High 4. Crew Aster is thought for performing very effectively in their very own area, however failing on the worldwide stage.
Has the curse been lastly damaged? Not solely has Aster managed to 2:0 Crew Liquid within the higher bracket first spherical, however in addition they eradicated PSG.LGD — one the event’s favorites.
We expect it’s nonetheless too early to inform. On one hand, the crew is unquestionably exceeding expectations. They’re the strongest Chinese language crew this 12 months and the area’s solely hope. On the opposite, they are going to be dealing with Crew Liquid within the decrease bracket grudge match.
Their highway to the decrease bracket semi-finals was fairly quick, in comparison with their opponent. Liquid needed to undergo the entire decrease bracket to get to the place they’re now and they’re a really completely different crew proper now.
Aster didn’t have to adapt as a lot and their victory towards PSG.LGD was considerably anticipated, given how they at all times carry out very well towards Chinese language groups.
With three Western European opponents to beat, we really feel like Crew Aster may be in a really disadvantageous place. Additionally it is their greatest probability to perpetually silence all of the naysayers and eventually get the worldwide recognition they deserved for the final two years.
The final journey for MATUMBAMAN and some of the improved groups of the Worldwide. Their highway to this decrease bracket semi-final was lengthy and painful, so that they gained’t go down straightforward. That’s, in the event that they do go down.
After crushing the hopes of the South American area in top-of-the-line bo3 sequence within the historical past of Dota, it felt like Liquid have been unstoppable. Nonetheless, will the momentum of it carry over the lengthy break we had?
Alternatively this break might need helped them as effectively: they greater than double the common map rely of their opponents, with ten video games performed throughout the playoffs. Maybe resetting and refocusing allowed them to get some relaxation and analyze how and why they have been so profitable.
The crew is in a traditionally distinctive place: at this level they’ve probably the most “the Worldwide” expertise and not one of the ordinary fatigue related to it. “Higher bracket is for losers” nonetheless appears to be the motto of the group.
Crew Secret has been on a year-by-year upward trajectory, so it’s not stunning to see them doing so effectively. What’s stunning, is the completely soul-crushing dominance they stomped via the higher bracket with.
Two constant victories towards Thunder Awaken and an absolute stomp that despatched PSG.LGD into the depth of despair have been marvelous, however now they should face Tundra: a crew they have been crushed by throughout the group stage.
They do have expertise on their facet, which is a vital issue proper now. With how easy their run was to this point, taking part in towards an opponent you don’t match up effectively towards could be a demise sentence for anybody, however Crew Secret.
With Puppey on the helm, an entire week to organize and completely supercharged core gamers, Secret will certainly show extra problematic. Additionally they have an opportunity to make a mistake and nonetheless stay in competition, which may are available very helpful.
We really feel like it’s secure to say that Tundra are the favorites of the event proper now. They’re but to lose a sequence they usually’ve solely misplaced a complete of 4 maps all through the entire event.
Tundra is a crew that can also be very straightforward to root for: they’ve gamers from everywhere in the world and are coached by a really lovable former TI Champion. They’ve additionally been fairly constant all through this DPC, except the Arlington Main, elevating questions of whether or not their loss there was strategic.
Presently, the one crew Tundra misplaced a map to nonetheless in competition is Crew Aster, which is an fascinating bit of information. Theoretically, Aster is Tundra’s most awkward opponent, however Aster should undergo a really lengthy sequence of challenges to get to them, no less than in concept.
For Tundra, doing what they did and never altering course would have been the perfect technique, if it wasn’t for the event break. They may be a crew that different opponents put together probably the most for and maybe having an additional couple of aces up their sleeve will probably be essential.
Very similar to Secret, they’ll have one other life even when they lose their opening sequence after the break, however in addition they have a large goal on their again. Their Arlington Main fiasco might have fooled different groups initially, however nobody within the high 4 will underestimate them.