The Group Stage schedule has lastly been launched. The sixteen taking part groups are sorted into 4 teams, 4 groups every. There are not any eliminations within the Group Stage of TI this yr, so everybody may have an opportunity to indicate themselves throughout the playoffs and contemplating the extent of the competitors this yr it’s a good factor.
With a smaller roster of groups, there are not any apparent outsiders. Whereas some groups may need much less expertise and recognition, each single slot is nicely deserved. Immediately we’re going to have a fast have 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 sturdy 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 straightforward time of their group. HEROIC is a South American staff 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 nicely the patch suits the staff, however from what we’ve seen from HEROIC throughout the qualifiers, they’re diversifying their methods and are adapting to a quicker paced Dota.
Hyping up 1W is slightly bit more durable. The entire EEU area is in a disarray, with many proficient gamers being purchased up by Western European organisations. Due to it, there may be much more potential for progress throughout the area. Who is aware of, possibly the younger blood will are available scorching, 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 seemingly, although, they must do loads of studying and adapting to the upper stage of competitors.
This group could be very fascinating, as a result of there are not any immediately invited groups in it. All 4 groups received to TI by means of regional qualifiers, so it will be a showcase of relative energy ranges between the areas.
For all intents and functions, Cloud9, former Entity, are an EEU staff. They have been the primary within the qualifiers within the Western Europe, however that was to be anticipated, as it’s a staff of excessive profile veterans who’re no strangers to the excessive strain atmosphere of Qualifiers and LAN tournaments.
Tundra really 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 loads of creativity from Topson, although they’re going to be taking part in with a stand-in. 9Class couldn’t get to TI attributable to Visa points and regardless of Saksa being a really sturdy participant, we really feel like it will depart the staff at a drawback.
Talon Esports and G2 x iG may technically be thought-about the weaker groups of this group, however this could possibly be a fallacious 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 nicely in opposition to WEU groups. G2 x iG are barely quicker and are usually 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 an excellent technique.
Group Zero is the one Chinese language staff from qualifiers that performs a special model of Dota. They’re quick, exact and, expertise apart, they seem like Champion materials, at the least mentality-wise. Nonetheless, expertise performs an enormous half in a staff’s efficiency and for a lot of gamers on the roster it will be their first large LAN occasion. We have now excessive hopes for the staff and they’re unfounded, however there’s a probability they’ll crumble below strain.
Falcons and BB Group are the de facto favourites of the group. Each have been immediately invited to TI and for a large number of excellent causes. In the beginning of the yr they’d consistently battle for first place in lots of excessive profile tournaments, however we really feel like whereas Falcons managed to maintain the momentum going, BB Group have been slowly operating out of fuel. Or possibly they have been simply preserving their power for crucial occasion of the yr?
Nouns is the one NA staff at TI. We genuinely don’t know what to anticipate from them, because the area is usually thought-about 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.
Group Spirit wants no introductions. They’re one of many largest favourites to take all of it as soon as once more. Their monitor report for the tip of the yr wasn’t overwhelmingly spectacular, however they’re some of the artistic comeback groups within the historical past of Dota. Not a very quick staff, 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 could be powerful 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 reality, at his greatest, we really feel he’s up there with Yatoro and Ame.
Lastly, there may be Group Liquid and for a staff with that title they’re surprisingly stable. One other large contender for the title and positively a staff to be careful for. Good, structured, clear Dota makes them predictable, however often the one factor the enemy can foresee is their very own demise.
There are various causes this TI is much less thrilling than the earlier iterations of the legendary event, however recreation high quality shouldn’t be considered one of them. With solely sixteen groups and each staff 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 yr will supply. The patch is in an excellent 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 competition of the very best stage of Dota — the deepest and most complicated recreation ever created.
