The champion will probably be topped this weekend and with an entire week to arrange and research their opponents, we really feel like the extent of competitors within the prime 4 this yr ought to be distinctive. This format may not be to everybody’s liking, however the pressure is palpable, the stage is ready and it’s time to take a look at the 4 finest Dota 2 groups on this planet.
The one non-Western European squad left within the Prime 4. Group Aster is understood for performing very properly 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 Group Liquid within the higher bracket first spherical, however in addition they eradicated PSG.LGD — one the match’s favorites.
We expect it’s nonetheless too early to inform. On one hand, the crew is certainly exceeding expectations. They’re the strongest Chinese language crew this yr and the area’s solely hope. On the opposite, they are going to be going through Group 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 totally different crew proper now.
Aster didn’t have to adapt as a lot and their victory in opposition to PSG.LGD was considerably anticipated, given how they all the time carry out rather well in opposition to Chinese language groups.
With three Western European opponents to beat, we really feel like Group Aster is likely to be in a really disadvantageous place. It is usually their finest likelihood to without end silence all of the naysayers and at last get the worldwide recognition they deserved for the final two years.
The final journey for MATUMBAMAN and one 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 simple. That’s, in the event that they do go down.
After crushing the hopes of the South American area in the most effective bo3 sequence within the historical past of Dota, it felt like Liquid had been unstoppable. Nonetheless, will the momentum of it carry over the lengthy break we had?
Then again this break might need helped them as properly: they greater than double the typical map depend of their opponents, with ten video games performed through the playoffs. Maybe resetting and refocusing allowed them to get some relaxation and analyze how and why they had been so profitable.
The crew is in a traditionally distinctive place: at this level they’ve essentially the most “the Worldwide” expertise and not one of the typical fatigue related to it. “Higher bracket is for losers” nonetheless appears to be the motto of the group.
Group Secret has been on a year-by-year upward trajectory, so it’s not shocking to see them doing so properly. What’s shocking, is the completely soul-crushing dominance they stomped via the higher bracket with.
Two constant victories in opposition to Thunder Awaken and an absolute stomp that despatched PSG.LGD into the depth of despair had been marvelous, however now they must face Tundra: a crew they had been crushed by through the group stage.
They do have expertise on their aspect, which is a vital issue proper now. With how easy their run was thus far, taking part in in opposition to an opponent you don’t match up properly in opposition to could be a demise sentence for anybody, however Group Secret.
With Puppey on the helm, an entire week to arrange 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 might are available in very useful.
We really feel like it’s secure to say that Tundra are the favorites of the match proper now. They’re but to lose a sequence and so they’ve solely misplaced a complete of 4 maps all through the entire match.
Tundra is a crew that can be very simple to root for: they’ve gamers from all around 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 Group Aster, which is an attention-grabbing bit of information. Theoretically, Aster is Tundra’s most awkward opponent, however Aster must undergo a really lengthy sequence of challenges to get to them, not less than in principle.
For Tundra, doing what they did and never altering course would have been the very best technique, if it wasn’t for the match break. They is likely to be a crew that different opponents put together essentially the most for and maybe having an additional couple of aces up their sleeve will probably be vital.
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 an enormous goal on their again. Their Arlington Main fiasco may have fooled different groups initially, however nobody within the prime 4 will underestimate them.
