The International 12 [Dota 2, eSport] discussion thread

[summonerrk]

I tried getting back into Dota 2 myself a few months back but so much has changed, it is so hard to keep up! It felt so much easier back in the day. Also i still remember the finals from Ti 3 with NaVi vs Alliance, now that was a GLORIOUS finals.
When looking at all of the rosters i still know some of the guys but not many. Also pretty sad that Team Secret didnt make it, broke Puppeys streak of TI runs

ah, it seems I missed the news regarding this thread.

I used to be active in Dota 2 but unfortunately I left for a long time and I still remember the glory days of NaVi when there were Dendi and Puppey. do you still remember Dendi using Pudge and Peppey using Chen and trying to do Hook to Fountain? I am sure you still remember.

but those interesting times have changed and everything does not look like it used to be, I am even little disappointed that Team Secret could not qualify to appear at TI12

Just like you, after this match I stopped watching Dota 2 matches on stage for a long time. The use of the God Hook bug was incredible, leading the guys to victory. Nevertheless, I advise you to watch the TI where Team Spirit became the champions.
It was an incredible tournament! Unknown guys became champions, although they were unknown to anyone. And all this without using bugs, nevertheless, they had one imba - their faith in everyone who sits next to them on the team.

[vennali]

Crazy scenes as Nouns (the America's last hope) beat Tundra 2-0. Now Azure Ray are absolutely demolishing Entity  with some really strong performance. Spirit breaker seems to be a popular hero this TI. Loads of teams picking him up with mixed results.

Just look at that wombo combo from Nouns. Just perfect! (Twitch clip)

[len01]

-snip

I admit that I am very far behind the Dota 2 and about this competition, I almost forgot all the best players in the past and as far as I remember when I was still playing Dota 2 and still following information about this game around 2015/2016 and after that I left this game and only come to place bets at every IT start.

-snip

yep, as long as I place bets on TI, I occasionally watch and look for information about several teams and I see that Team Spirit seems to be very strong at the moment and has not even been defeated and its only natural that the bookie favors Team Spirit.

BTW, there are several new heroes in Dota 2 that I did not know about before and several Dota 2 items that have changed names, but what I remember is that I like Invoker.

[summonerrk]

-snip

I admit that I am very far behind the Dota 2 and about this competition, I almost forgot all the best players in the past and as far as I remember when I was still playing Dota 2 and still following information about this game around 2015/2016 and after that I left this game and only come to place bets at every IT start.

-snip

yep, as long as I place bets on TI, I occasionally watch and look for information about several teams and I see that Team Spirit seems to be very strong at the moment and has not even been defeated and its only natural that the bookie favors Team Spirit.

BTW, there are several new heroes in Dota 2 that I did not know about before and several Dota 2 items that have changed names, but what I remember is that I like Invoker.

The beauty of TI is that you can watch it without even knowing the players and the past of the teams. Just choose the team that is closest to you, maybe it's a team from a country that is not far from you. That's why I was rooting for Team Spirit in the TI I wrote to you about. Now they are one of the favorites and it is better not to bet on them anymore, because the tournament is full of little-known but promising teams.
 
Invoker is my favorite hero, he hasn't changed yet.
Unless you probably missed his improvements to multiple sunstrikes and meteorites.

[vennali]

TI 12 playoff brackets for reaching the main event.

[edmundduke]

TI 12 playoff brackets for reaching the main event.

I am really looking forward to the Team Spirit vs Virtus.pro, Team Liquid vs Talon Esports. Going to be great showing for who can take the whole thing tho LGD can never really be dismissed.
From the lower bracket i want to see Tundra move forward, they were great till they fumbeled in the seeding round.

[passwordnow]

I am really looking forward to the Team Spirit vs Virtus.pro, Team Liquid vs Talon Esports. Going to be great showing for who can take the whole thing tho LGD can never really be dismissed.

For Team Spirit and Virtus.Pro, I am one-sided on this match. Since the start of this TI12, Team Spirit has had a 100% winning rate and it's likely that they'll continue their campaign in the upper bracket with that percentage. I am not belittling Virtus.Pro but Team Spirit is no doubt on a complete high level of Dota 2 this time. And for Liquid and Talon, as long as 23savage won't be bitter and won't do such actions that will likely throw the match, they have a chance against Team Liquid.

From the lower bracket i want to see Tundra move forward, they were great till they fumbeled in the seeding round.

The lower bracket is like the bracket that is full of gangsters and only one of them will reign to the finals. We can also think of those losers from the upper bracket going down and that's why it's always the hardest road to the finals so, history speaking, Team Liquid(former Nigma roster) did their way there and proved themselves to be a strong team on their prime. Oh well, that was like a several years ago and they're past their primes these days.

[sompitonov]

I am really looking forward to the Team Spirit vs Virtus.pro, Team Liquid vs Talon Esports. Going to be great showing for who can take the whole thing tho LGD can never really be dismissed.
From the lower bracket i want to see Tundra move forward, they were great till they fumbeled in the seeding round.

I agree with you, I most want to watch the confrontation between Team Spirit and Virtus.pro. I also have close attention to Nouns, who defeated Tundra with the help of the Witch doctor and the Ogre Magi. TI's games continues to amaze like all the previous ones, I am wildly looking forward to these games, and I wanted them to start as soon as possible. I adore this Dota holiday!

The TI12 group stage was watched by more people than TI11 and the most popular game was Team Spirit vs Shopify Rebellion - at its peak it attracted 748k viewers.  Despite the significantly reduced prize fund, the number of spectators not only decreased, but increased. This is a surprise for me.  

Russian Dota 2 streamer with the nickname "NS" released a music about Gabe Newell in which he asks to improve the balance and DPC seasons  

[summonerrk]

I am really looking forward to the Team Spirit vs Virtus.pro, Team Liquid vs Talon Esports. Going to be great showing for who can take the whole thing tho LGD can never really be dismissed.
From the lower bracket i want to see Tundra move forward, they were great till they fumbeled in the seeding round.

I agree with you, I most want to watch the confrontation between Team Spirit and Virtus.pro. I also have close attention to Nouns, who defeated Tundra with the help of the Witch doctor and the Ogre Magi. TI's games continues to amaze like all the previous ones, I am wildly looking forward to these games, and I wanted them to start as soon as possible. I adore this Dota holiday!

The TI12 group stage was watched by more people than TI11 and the most popular game was Team Spirit vs Shopify Rebellion - at its peak it attracted 748k viewers.  Despite the significantly reduced prize fund, the number of spectators not only decreased, but increased. This is a surprise for me.  

Russian Dota 2 streamer with the nickname "NS" released a music about Gabe Newell in which he asks to improve the balance and DPC seasons  

It sounds impressive, but unfortunately, in any case, after the confrontation between Team Spirit and Virtus.pro in the championship, in any case, one of the Russian teams will be rejected from top places. I much prefer watching matches between teams from different parts of the world.
It’s surprising that more people watched TI12 than TI11, because today I watched an interview from pro players about how there seemed to be no soul in this TI, and they were upset that there was no feeling of celebration. Apparently this does not affect their games in any way. This is amazing.

[Fatunad]

I am really looking forward to the Team Spirit vs Virtus.pro, Team Liquid vs Talon Esports. Going to be great showing for who can take the whole thing tho LGD can never really be dismissed.
From the lower bracket i want to see Tundra move forward, they were great till they fumbeled in the seeding round.

I agree with you, I most want to watch the confrontation between Team Spirit and Virtus.pro. I also have close attention to Nouns, who defeated Tundra with the help of the Witch doctor and the Ogre Magi. TI's games continues to amaze like all the previous ones, I am wildly looking forward to these games, and I wanted them to start as soon as possible. I adore this Dota holiday!

The TI12 group stage was watched by more people than TI11 and the most popular game was Team Spirit vs Shopify Rebellion - at its peak it attracted 748k viewers.  Despite the significantly reduced prize fund, the number of spectators not only decreased, but increased. This is a surprise for me.  

Russian Dota 2 streamer with the nickname "NS" released a music about Gabe Newell in which he asks to improve the balance and DPC seasons  

It sounds impressive, but unfortunately, in any case, after the confrontation between Team Spirit and Virtus.pro in the championship, in any case, one of the Russian teams will be rejected from top places. I much prefer watching matches between teams from different parts of the world.
It’s surprising that more people watched TI12 than TI11, because today I watched an interview from pro players about how there seemed to be no soul in this TI, and they were upset that there was no feeling of celebration. Apparently this does not affect their games in any way. This is amazing.

Why it would really be having no soul? Because of Prize pool? This isnt the only thing that sparks out someone on playing Dota or this tourney just for the sake of that but also it would really be that for the glory on proving out themselves that they are the best of all those teams that currently existing on dota scene.It is really just that it turns out that this years battle pass and accumulation isnt really just that something that valve that really  get used to focus on or on whatever the plans that they do really have in mind. In every year then there's really that a significant growth in terms of number of players and the people who do see around.
Not everything would really be that just basing or depending on the money or prize pool but this is something that would be talking on whose the best and despite of being low in terms of prize but doesnt mean
that teams would really be losing up their will to fight for the top spot. This is the main thing that on every dota players and supporters  that been eyeing on no matter what would be the pool or prizes that connects into it,
it doesnt really just that circles around with that area.

[xLays]

Crazy scenes as Nouns (the America's last hope) beat Tundra 2-0. Now Azure Ray are absolutely demolishing Entity  with some really strong performance. Spirit breaker seems to be a popular hero this TI. Loads of teams picking him up with mixed results.

Just look at that wombo combo from Nouns. Just perfect! (Twitch clip)

For sure Spirit Breaker will receive a nerf in the next patch along with Muerta after this tournament. Currently Spirit Breaker is the highest win rate among the top 10 most picked heroes in this tournament.With Octarine, Shadow Blade, BKB, and Aghanim's Scepter – now your Spirit Breaker is unkillable and unlimted skill like youre playing demo with Free Spell checked. Haha
https://liquipedia.net/dota2/The_International/2023/Statistics

Watched Game 2 between Azure Ray and Entity, Entity was about to make a comeback if Spirit Breaker (played by Gabbi) hadn't died solo. This situation provided Azure Ray with an opportunity to end the game early.

[sompitonov]

Crazy scenes as Nouns (the America's last hope) beat Tundra 2-0. Now Azure Ray are absolutely demolishing Entity  with some really strong performance. Spirit breaker seems to be a popular hero this TI. Loads of teams picking him up with mixed results.

Just look at that wombo combo from Nouns. Just perfect! (Twitch clip)

For sure Spirit Breaker will receive a nerf in the next patch along with Muerta after this tournament. Currently Spirit Breaker is the highest win rate among the top 10 most picked heroes in this tournament.With Octarine, Shadow Blade, BKB, and Aghanim's Scepter – now your Spirit Breaker is unkillable and unlimted skill like youre playing demo with Free Spell checked. Haha
https://liquipedia.net/dota2/The_International/2023/Statistics

Watched Game 2 between Azure Ray and Entity, Entity was about to make a comeback if Spirit Breaker (played by Gabbi) hadn't died solo. This situation provided Azure Ray with an opportunity to end the game early.

If we take the top 10 most chosen heroes, then I like everyone except Vengeful Spirit, because we could often see her on other TI's. Don't forget Chaos Knight, who closes the top 10 most chosen heroes. His winning percentage is even higher than Spirit Breaker, even though he has one less game. A staggering 65.38%! These 3 heroes are in for a nerf.

At this TI12 they will announce a new hero and, as usual, they will make him stronger than the other heroes so that everyone will play for him like they did with Muerta. It’s quite logical to do this every time so that users get used to new heroes. On the other hand, don’t make him weak, then who will choose him.

[Coin_trader]

Crazy scenes as Nouns (the America's last hope) beat Tundra 2-0. Now Azure Ray are absolutely demolishing Entity  with some really strong performance. Spirit breaker seems to be a popular hero this TI. Loads of teams picking him up with mixed results.

Just look at that wombo combo from Nouns. Just perfect! (Twitch clip)

For sure Spirit Breaker will receive a nerf in the next patch along with Muerta after this tournament. Currently Spirit Breaker is the highest win rate among the top 10 most picked heroes in this tournament.With Octarine, Shadow Blade, BKB, and Aghanim's Scepter – now your Spirit Breaker is unkillable and unlimted skill like youre playing demo with Free Spell checked. Haha
https://liquipedia.net/dota2/The_International/2023/Statistics

Watched Game 2 between Azure Ray and Entity, Entity was about to make a comeback if Spirit Breaker (played by Gabbi) hadn't died solo. This situation provided Azure Ray with an opportunity to end the game early.

Agreed to this, I watch the game when Team Spirit use this here against Shopify. The carry hero can’t do anything on the clash once target by Spirit Breaker due to unlimited push while he can result immediately using BKB or SB.

That greater bash skills is too OP with the current buff on damage scaling per speed. This is the favorite hero of collapse which can give a game changing result with just one clash while he is still farming. You’re right that this hero will be nerfed soon since the charge speed and bash is too pesky that makes him effective on all aspect of the game(push, gank and team fight).


What match on the Upper Bracket that you think will result to upset match? I’m thinking about Talon beating Team Liquid this time unless 23Savage will still do early celebrate while the match is still on. 

[vennali]

VP vs Team Spirit. The team in red hot form, Team Spirit seem to be in danger. Spirit lost game 1 and honestly, for game 2, I like VP's draft. it's gonna be interesting if Team spirit does lose 2-0 after looking unbeatable in the road to TI.

[edmundduke]

VP vs Team Spirit. The team in red hot form, Team Spirit seem to be in danger. Spirit lost game 1 and honestly, for game 2, I like VP's draft. it's gonna be interesting if Team spirit does lose 2-0 after looking unbeatable in the road to TI.

VP is putting on a real fight! Did not really see this coming. I think we will see a game 3. I am expecting them to win the third game but still a really stron gplay by VP. - OMG THAT GAME 2 END!
As for other games i think winners will be Liquid, LGD and maybe AR (tho im not really sure on this one, games gona be a tossup)

[boltz]

VP vs Team Spirit. The team in red hot form, Team Spirit seem to be in danger. Spirit lost game 1 and honestly, for game 2, I like VP's draft. it's gonna be interesting if Team spirit does lose 2-0 after looking unbeatable in the road to TI.

VP is putting on a real fight! Did not really see this coming. I think we will see a game 3. I am expecting them to win the third game but still a really stron gplay by VP. - OMG THAT GAME 2 END!
As for other games i think winners will be Liquid, LGD and maybe AR (tho im not really sure on this one, games gona be a tossup)

They are playing superb right now and also the draft on map 3 is looking solid as both Spectre and WK are having a mega patch right now with both of them being super hard to take down during a fight.

True! That ending on 2nd map was not so easy to watch as I had a bet on Spirit 2nd map ) and when I saw Larl and his Puck diving near Tier 4 towers and die ...I said to myself that there is no way Spirit wins anymore but once again Yatoro proved he is still one of the best carries in Europe and maybe in the world.

[inthelongrun]

Team Spirit survived a well-spirited effort by VP. Somehow Team Spirit showed vulnerability in the series while LGD Gaming showed somewhat a flawless performance over 9 Pandas. Liquid also dispatched Talon in the upper bracket, the dark horse in this tournament. It will be very exciting to watch as powerhouse Liquid faces Team Spirit will face off next.

Meanwhile, in the last series of today, Azure Ray the other Chinese team did a short work on nouns in game 1. Would love to see nouns bring something different in game 2. The winner of this series will face LGD Gaming.

[edmundduke]

As for other games i think winners will be Liquid, LGD and maybe AR (tho im not really sure on this one, games gona be a tossup)

Looks like that prediction aged well

As for the upcoming games. Im realy not sure who takes Liquid vs Spirit. Maybe Liquid has an upper hand but you never know with Team Spirit. I can see it going to 3 games however.
LGD vs AR should be pretty set, LGD should have no issues taking them on. From lower bracket i think both Talons and Virtus Pro will move on. Hard to say about others, they showed a very lackluster performance.

[vennali]

Standings after Day 1


Upcoming games. It's lower bracket time!! No more chances in TI, if you lose, you are out.

[Eternad]

As for other games i think winners will be Liquid, LGD and maybe AR (tho im not really sure on this one, games gona be a tossup)

Looks like that prediction aged well

As for the upcoming games. Im realy not sure who takes Liquid vs Spirit. Maybe Liquid has an upper hand but you never know with Team Spirit. I can see it going to 3 games however.
LGD vs AR should be pretty set, LGD should have no issues taking them on. From lower bracket i think both Talons and Virtus Pro will move on. Hard to say about others, they showed a very lackluster performance.

The 1st round on the Upper Bracket is very predictable since most of the winner are the heavy favorite.

I won’t put Team Spirit as underdog against Liquid since their last match on the Riyadh Master Finals was a disaster against Liquid. Team Spirit is very strong on this TI and they have a chance to 2-0 Liquid on their upcoming match.

Agreed on LGD beating AR because AR rarely won against LGD even on their local tournament.