As an ex-player who mostly follows Dota by watching TI every year (and the occasional other big tournament) day one is mainly orientation for me - catching up on what’s changed and how the meta has shifted.
Currently watching Aurora vs Liquid game 1, and I’m very curious to see if the Sniper pick works out. Also not used to Mirana being in the meta again. Was she even picked at all last TI?
The Sniper pick did not, in fact, work out. Also looks like we’re still (or again?) in Aura meta. Oh joy. Is it gonna be as bad as the Wraith Pact TI, I wonder?
I’ll try to find a small interview snippet, but yeah, Aura meta is still a thing. It’s not as bad as Wraith Pact since that was just a singular item that was built every match without fail. But now we have Shivas / Guardian Greaves / Pipe / Crimson that all contribute to some Aura effect.
Mirana being in the meta is solely due to her second facet. It’s such an insane damage amp.
Falcons vs Tundra Game 2. Such an insane game. This is why I love Dota
Absolute cinema. Finals worthy game, and insane to almost see the Luna solved. Ammar is going to have nightmares about that mirror shield.
Gave me big TI8 upper bracket finals vibes. A 2v5 ancient defense is perfectly viable as long as you have the right heroes and use them correctly. Also, isn’t it crazy how Topson finds himself in these kinds of games?
This game is beautiful.
Day 3 and I missed the first series, but not surprised Talon couldn’t beat Xtreme who are looking very good. Excited to watch the first Liquid vs BB game, first Medusa of the tournament and it’s on Boxi, very interesting!
I’ve been sleeping on C9 so far (can’t really watch every series) but this has been an impressive showing from them against 1w. Really like this game 2 draft, hope we’ll see Bane more - has done good work this game. And a well played Nyx is always a treat. Kataomi was doing his best YapzOr impression this game.
Have mostly watched Liquid, GG and Talon so far. Still rooting for Liquid a lot. And yeah, it’s looking good so far :D but we’ll see
Day 2 and the big game to watch will be Liquid vs Spirit. Currently watching Nouns vs Zero and hoping Nouns can hang in there. It’s always fun to have teams from all regions performing well, and Lion was one of my mains back when I played so I can’t not root for this draft.
