Home Gaming The International 4 finally kicks off today with the play-in series. Who will be the wild child?

The International 4 finally kicks off today with the play-in series. Who will be the wild child?

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TI4 IS HERE

The International is just about here, Dota 2 followers rejoice! Kicking off the festivities is the play-in series, featuring 4 teams who just missed a spot in the top 15. They still have a chance for glory and a slice of that huge $10 million prize pool though, as the winner of the play-in gets to take the 16th spot at TI4. Find all you need to know about these teams and their upcoming games after the jump.

The four teams from around the globe fighting for the final 16th spot are as follows:

Virtus Pro (Europe)

  • Ars-Art
  • God
  • Illidan Stormrage
  • JotM
  • NS

Virtus Pro surprised many in the qualifying stages, considering that they were actually considering disbanding at one stage. They held it together, kicking out the popular RoX.KIS, but ultimately losing to Mousesports in the end.

MVP Phoenix (Southeast Asia)

  • FoREv
  • Heen
  • March
  • Reisen
  • QO

MVP Phoenix have proven that they are not to be written off, as they put up a strong performance during the qualifiers. Arrow proved to be too strong for them though, beating them 3-1 in the qualifying final.

Team Liquid (America)

  • Bulba
  • TC
  • Waytosexy
  • qojqva
  • DeMoN

Team Liquid have had a rather rough year, losing two of their players initially. They then went on to lose a third player, Brian ‘FLUFFNSTUFF’ Lee, who expressed his issues with the team in a blog. Regardless, Liquid have found solid replacements, and their team synergy is only getting better and better.

CIS (China)

  • inflame
  • Ayo
  • Demons
  • June
  • Black^

CIS nearly didn’t make it to Seattle, thanks to the issues that they experienced at the Chinese VISA offices. This may have disrupted their preparations, but they have proven themselves thanks to their eliminations of Tongfu and Dreamtime. Their determination alone may just see them through.

Tonight’s Schedule

  • 18:00 – Virtus Pro Vs MVP Phoenix
  • 22:00 – CIS Vs Liquid

There is no second chance for these teams should they lose their first match up. The two matches will be best of 3, with the winners of both playing each other for the 16th spot while the others are instantly eliminated. The third and final matchup will take place after the 22:00 game, probably at around 02:00 or so. You’re going to need a lot of energy drinks if you intend on staying up for all the action!

If you have the Dota 2 client installed, I’m going to go ahead and assume you know exactly how to watch each game. Don’t forget that newcomers can also enjoy the action. If you couldn’t be bothered downloading the Dota 2 client, you can stream through Twitch if you’d like to see what all the fuss is about. Remember, that stream is meant to be beginner friendly, with the casters giving more detail as to how the game works.

The Solo Championship will be taking place sometime during the play-ins. The best solo players in the worlds go head to head to see who is the best mid player. These games are generally quite quick and exciting, but they will be taking place during the play-in games, so they may be missed.

In the play-ins, I think Virtus Pro will take their game while CIS will take theirs. In the final, I am leaning more towards Virtus Pro. Maybe its my European roots that are clouding my judgement, but I think they might just take it. Who do you think will nab the final spot?

Lastly, I will leave you with this comic from one of my favourite Dota 2 comic strips which basically demonstrates the power of Shagbark, the cutest damn courier in existence.Play-in Series

Last Updated: July 8, 2014

No Comments

  1. Obviously Virtus Pro will win. They have God on their side.

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      July 8, 2014 at 15:08

      But is he merciful and kind?

      Reply

      • Spaffy

        July 8, 2014 at 15:22

        I watched Noah over the weekend. Is this the same guy we are talking about?

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          July 8, 2014 at 15:36

          One of the Dota Teams above is called God. Not very apdt if you ask me but they are the master race.

          Reply

          • Spaffy

            July 8, 2014 at 15:38

            Saw that, meant if it’s the same God.

          • Hammersteyn

            July 8, 2014 at 15:55

            LOL then no.

    • hairyknees

      July 8, 2014 at 22:10

      They lost 😛

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        July 9, 2014 at 07:28

        Don’t spoil the joke with facts 😛

        Reply

  2. Spaffy

    July 8, 2014 at 14:45

    I’m a bit slow here. Do we have any teams competing?

    Reply

    • Consumer of Little Rabbits

      July 8, 2014 at 14:52

      as in ZA? Its not that type of international. This is more the “club premiership” than it is “world cup”. Make sense?

      Reply

      • Spaffy

        July 8, 2014 at 14:54

        ahah. So no MSSA

        Reply

        • Consumer of Little Rabbits

          July 8, 2014 at 14:54

          fuck no. Those poese most get the fuck away from esports.

          Reply

          • Spaffy

            July 8, 2014 at 14:55

            lokl

          • Hammersteyn

            July 8, 2014 at 15:08

            LOL!

        • Eric

          July 8, 2014 at 14:57

          The international isn’t about representing a country. Some teams are from multiple countries. So you “just” needed to qualify.

          Reply

    • Consumer of Little Rabbits

      July 8, 2014 at 14:53

      But no, to my knowledge no ZA citizen is in any of the lead teams

      Reply

    • hairyknees

      July 8, 2014 at 22:02

      Nope 🙂 sorry, I just put their regions in brackets to indicate where they are from.

      Reply

  3. Consumer of Little Rabbits

    July 8, 2014 at 14:50

    hahaha love the comic. Im ultra amped for this shit omg.

    Reply

  4. Rince&pop

    July 8, 2014 at 14:59

    Wow, choosing the name god, okay…

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      July 8, 2014 at 15:13

      Off course, it’s Dota, very serious stuff this. Imagine angering that them. They will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger through the powers of calling your mom something.

      Reply

  5. Tiaan Pat

    July 8, 2014 at 15:01

    Is there a website with local times?

    Reply

    • hairyknees

      July 8, 2014 at 22:01

      • Tiaan Pat

        July 9, 2014 at 06:40

        Thank you very much !!

        Reply

        • hairyknees

          July 9, 2014 at 08:49

          No problem 🙂 enjoy the games!

          Reply

          • Tiaan Pat

            July 9, 2014 at 08:51

            I won’t be able to watch them because i am at work 🙁 Last year was so much better because it was in the evenings. Will have to get my client to auto watch and then re watch when i get home!

          • hairyknees

            July 9, 2014 at 09:03

            Na they still are 🙂 games usually start at about 5-6pm our time, then run right through the evening till early morning.

  6. Charné Banger

    July 8, 2014 at 16:42

    That Dota 2 cartoon – lol 😛

    Reply

  7. GeoffChisnall

    July 8, 2014 at 17:29

    Team Liquid!

    Reply

  8. Skuifspeld

    July 8, 2014 at 19:02

    Guys, is anyone else having trouble with the stream being interrupted and slow on twitch? Trying to figure out if it’s the stream or my ISP – probably my ISP but would like some confirmation.

    Reply

    • hairyknees

      July 8, 2014 at 21:52

      My stream was fine 🙂 might be your ISP

      Reply

      • Skuifspeld

        July 8, 2014 at 22:01

        Thanks. Watching through the in-game stream now which is helping.

        Reply

  9. Xander Naudé

    July 8, 2014 at 20:08

    Don’t even play Dota but I’m excited

    Reply

    • hairyknees

      July 8, 2014 at 22:10

      YOU BETTER BE! 😛

      Reply

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