Phase 2 of The International is now well underway, with many more games being played throughout the night (our time). Yesterday’s games really mixed up the group standings, showing that the Chinese are looking to be dominant this year.
It was an interesting day really. I even took the time to make this incredibly detailed (and hopefully accurate table) so a quick glance should tell you who performed really well on Day 2 of Phase 2.
If your table reading skills are as bad as my table-making skills, let me highlight some things for you. Team Dk and ViCi had really good days, clocking in 4 wins each without any losses. Its worth noting that DK had a relatively average performance on day 1, so this is the boost they needed. If you remember correctly, I chose DK as my second favourite team, so I’m quite happy with their turnaround. My favoured team, Navi, had a pretty average performance, winning 2 but also losing 2. They are still in a really good place though.
Team Liquid, the Wild Card team that shocked everybody after their first days winnings, were a little less overwhelming the following day, winning only 2 games but losing 3. Alliance, last years champions, looked poor on their first day, but they pulled some momentum back, winning 3 out of their 4 games. Cloud 9 dominated on their first day, topping the entire table, but they were disappointing on day 2, losing 3 games and only winning 1.
These are just some of the changes that stood out for me. If you’re a tl;dr kind of reader, the overall table below (via GosuGamers) will tell you all you need to know.
One big thing that has stood out from just about all the games I have seen is that Skywrath Mage is now a really hot pick. I get that he is a strong hero, but it still boggles my mind how now all of a sudden he is the hero to have, when he has been there, unchanged, for a very long time. Bah, Meta right?
Remember, if you’re new to Dota 2, you can watch the games with casters who talk about the basics instead of the stuff that only experienced Dota 2 players would understand. Phase 2 continues tonight, with the first game kicking off at 6pm, and games going on till about 6am in the morning.
How are your favoured teams doing? Are they in the place you expected them to be?
(Via Nerfnow.com)
Last Updated: July 11, 2014
Eric
July 11, 2014 at 11:16
Glad about the EG wins atm. Not too surprised about the top 3 being Chinese. Surprised that the two just below them are American though. European and Soviet teams falling off the radar at the moment. Still don’t get why teams don’t ban out Ember Spirit when they face Ferrari_430… And still don’t get why Alliance aren’t running with their Sven/Wisp/Tree/Prophet combos when they aren’t being banned.
Edit. 2ez4rtz. so smart
Rince&pop
July 11, 2014 at 11:25
I, don’t understand!
hairyknees
July 11, 2014 at 11:53
Just look at the numbers and nod politely 😛
Rince&pop
July 11, 2014 at 11:54
In Russian *NOOB!
Matthew Holliday
July 11, 2014 at 11:58
cyka))
Rince&pop
July 11, 2014 at 11:28
???FTW!
Matthew Holliday
July 11, 2014 at 11:39
Team Liquids skill plays have been awesome.
Qojqvas tinker, blinking around the top of the rosh pit was a highlight for me.
same with Pegasus’ tidehunter baiting the Puck into losing teh aegis and his juking through the trees on bot lane into a Ravage teamfight.
the skywrath pickups are to do with the playstyle changes that come with The International. skywrath really punishes players that are out of position, and positioning has been the biggest thing ive noticed this tournament. stacking up the teamfights and catching heroes off on their own etc.
also his instant, undodgable silence, long range slow and massive nukes dont hurt either.
hairyknees
July 11, 2014 at 11:50
Yeah I have nothing against the hero, but it just surprised me how he is EVERYWHERE now O_O. Yeah pick offs have been great to watch. Qojqva has been pretty darn good too!
Matthew Holliday
July 11, 2014 at 11:59
im more surprised at how many teams are picking him as a core, but then still running the game very late, and getting away with it.
Grant [_G_] Hancock
July 11, 2014 at 11:46
Skywrath was changed … ancient seal was buffed big time in 6.81b
hairyknees
July 11, 2014 at 11:49
Na I mean, he has been in the pool for a fair amount of time since that change. He was just there, untouched by many. Now teams can’t get enough of him 😛
Matthew Holliday
July 11, 2014 at 11:57
and his movement speed, 320 base is craycray. cant run away from him anymore.
DrKiller
July 11, 2014 at 12:07
The play offs doesn’t really matter much… As long as you are IN the main event, you are there… I’ve watched a few games, teams like Navi is having a laugh… They even picked Sniper!
Matthew Holliday
July 11, 2014 at 12:18
snipers been an unconventional pick for a while now
Ringo
July 11, 2014 at 12:23
Maybe you’re onto something there…teams like NaVi and Alliance and playing possum. Then when the main event starts: BLACK HOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLEEEEEE!
DrKiller
July 11, 2014 at 12:35
Yeah exactly… Like in the wildcards there was a Riki… I mean how serious can that be 😉
hairyknees
July 11, 2014 at 12:29
That may be true, but the bottom 6 are kicked out of the tournament. Its hardly a time to be messing around when a few screw ups could have you packing 😛
The Sniper pick is unconventional, but if it pays off, he is an absolute nightmare to deal with. I think they were severely outdrafted that game though (if we are talking about the same one). Void just needs to jump on Sniper and its all over, which he did several times.
Matthew Holliday
July 11, 2014 at 12:39
you shouldnt see a sniper pick in a void game though, its dumb.
snipers the kind of hero you last pick.
he’s pretty usefull in the current meta, against pugna pickups and the habit people have of using TPs to escape, his ministun is the solution to a great deal.
with an aggresive lineup that actively creates space and baits out big abilities, like clockwork and puck etc, sniper can be madness.
Aries
July 11, 2014 at 12:44
agree, sniper not good to have early in the game, but when he gets to a high level, he can be the most annoying to play against
Verrayne
July 11, 2014 at 13:03
Cloud 9 are my favourites. After day 1 I was ecstatic… After yesterday’s performance not so much But hopefully they can still come out on top of the group stages. (That momentum should help them going into the playoffs)
But so far pieliedie’s drafting strategies have not been working out and I hope that he can refocus and get them some good picks going forward.