The Group Stage schedule has lastly been launched. The sixteen collaborating groups are sorted into 4 teams, 4 groups every. There are not any eliminations within the Group Stage of TI this 12 months, so everybody can have an opportunity to point out themselves in the course of the playoffs and contemplating the extent of the competitors this 12 months it’s a good factor.
With a smaller roster of groups, there are not any apparent outsiders. Whereas some groups might need much less expertise and recognition, each single slot is effectively deserved. Right this moment we’re going to have a fast take a look at TI Group Stage and share our ideas on the relative energy ranges of groups in them.
There are two apparent favourites on this group. Gaimin Gladiators and Xtreme Gaming have been exceptionally robust all through this season, with the previous successful Riyadh Masters and the latter cooking into TI off the again of Clavision: Snow Ruyi first place.
That doesn’t imply they’re assured a simple time of their group. HEROIC is a South American workforce led by none apart from K1. A trendsetter carry who put the area on the map and showcased that an extra-greedy playstyle can work wonders, when backed up by late-game prowess. We aren’t certain how effectively the patch matches the workforce, however from what we’ve seen from HEROIC in the course of the qualifiers, they’re diversifying their methods and are adapting to a quicker paced Dota.
Hyping up 1W is a bit of bit tougher. The entire EEU area is in a disarray, with many proficient gamers being purchased up by Western European organisations. Due to it, there’s much more potential for development inside the area. Who is aware of, perhaps the younger blood will are available in sizzling, with their extremely aggressive Dota fostered by the absence of strain from dominant squads within the qualifiers they’ve participated in all year long. Extra probably, although, they must do lots of studying and adapting to the upper stage of competitors.
This group could be very fascinating, as a result of there are not any straight invited groups in it. All 4 groups acquired to TI by regional qualifiers, so it’ll be a showcase of relative energy ranges between the areas.
For all intents and functions, Cloud9, former Entity, are an EEU workforce. They had been the primary within the qualifiers within the Western Europe, however that was to be anticipated, as it’s a workforce of excessive profile veterans who’re no strangers to the excessive strain atmosphere of Qualifiers and LAN tournaments.
Tundra truly misplaced to them within the higher bracket within the WEU qualifiers, however this roster is equally spectacular. We’re as soon as once more anticipating lots of creativity from Topson, although they will be taking part in with a stand-in. 9Class couldn’t get to TI resulting from Visa points and regardless of Saksa being a really robust participant, we really feel like it’ll go away the workforce at an obstacle.
Talon Esports and G2 x iG might technically be thought of the weaker groups of this group, however this may very well be a improper learn on the meta. Talon particularly tends to have a really gradual and methodical strategy to Dota, which in our opinion merely doesn’t match up effectively in opposition to WEU groups. G2 x iG are barely quicker and are typically extra adaptable, nonetheless we really feel like they all the time accept a “center of the pack” placement. In a four-team Group that isn’t technique.
Workforce Zero is the one Chinese language workforce from qualifiers that performs a special model of Dota. They’re quick, exact and, expertise apart, they seem like Champion materials, at the very least mentality-wise. Nonetheless, expertise performs an enormous half in a workforce’s efficiency and for a lot of gamers on the roster it’ll be their first large LAN occasion. Now we have excessive hopes for the workforce and they’re unfounded, however there’s a likelihood they are going to crumble below strain.
Falcons and BB Workforce are the de facto favourites of the group. Each had been straight invited to TI and for a mess of excellent causes. Firstly of the 12 months they’d always battle for first place in lots of excessive profile tournaments, however we really feel like whereas Falcons managed to maintain the momentum going, BB Workforce had been slowly working out of fuel. Or perhaps they had been simply preserving their power for an important occasion of the 12 months?
Nouns is the one NA workforce at TI. We genuinely don’t know what to anticipate from them, because the area is mostly thought of very weak. They do play a really clear and structured Dota, courtesy of Fly management, however in TI it’s a must to go above and past the standard framework to win.
Workforce Spirit wants no introductions. They’re one of many largest favourites to take all of it as soon as once more. Their observe report for the top of the 12 months wasn’t overwhelmingly spectacular, however they’re probably the most inventive comeback groups within the historical past of Dota. Not a very quick workforce, however the “bend, don’t break” playstyle has been doing wonders for them for the final three years and we see no purpose for it to alter.
Aurora and Beastcoast may be robust opponents, although. Aurora particularly tends to go for longer video games with hyper-farmed place one that may’t mathematically lose a good engagement. 23 may not be essentially the most constant of gamers, however it’s not possible to disclaim his skill to hold. In actual fact, at his finest, we really feel he’s up there with Yatoro and Ame.
Lastly, there’s Workforce Liquid and for a workforce with that identify they’re surprisingly strong. One other large contender for the title and undoubtedly a workforce to be careful for. Good, structured, clear Dota makes them predictable, however normally the one factor the enemy can foresee is their very own demise.
There are numerous causes this TI is much less thrilling than the earlier iterations of the legendary event, however sport high quality shouldn’t be one in every of them. With solely sixteen groups and each workforce getting an opportunity to get to the playoffs, there are certain to be large upsets and unbelievable storylines.
We’re extraordinarily enthusiastic about what essentially the most prestigious Event of the 12 months will supply. The patch is in place, the meta is wholesome and regardless of all of the superficial noise surrounding this TI, we simply need to remind everybody that it is a pageant of the very best stage of Dota — the deepest and most complicated sport ever created.
