The International 4

cherryghost

This was announced Mar 31st, so it's not an Aprils fools joke :P

Save the date. This year The International moves to KeyArena, taking place July 18th through the 21st in Seattle.

For those interested in attending there are three types of tickets available:

- General Admission ($99)

- Floor Seats ($199)

- VIP package ($499) that includes:

Access to all 6 days of Playoffs (formerly Group Stage) taking place on July 8th, before the Championships Event
Floor Seating
Exclusive VIP Meet & Greets
Access to the After Party
Every ticket includes access to all four days of the Championships Event at KeyArena. Tickets will be sold through Ticketmaster beginning this Friday April 4th at 3PM PDT, so check back later for more information.

This year there will be 11 teams invited directly as well as four Regional Qualifiers taking place May 12th through the 25th. The winner of each Qualifier will receive an invitation, with the four runner-ups competing in Seattle for the final spot.

So... any takers for the 11 invited teams?

I have: Empire, Na'vi, Alliance, Fnatic, DK, IG, Newbee,VG, EG, C9, Titan

The last 5 teams who qualify, I cannot really tell. It's too close to call.

GO_Bear

cherryghost wrote: »

This was announced Mar 31st, so it's not an Aprils fools joke :P



So... any takers for the 11 invited teams?

I have: Empire, Na'vi, Alliance, Fnatic, DK, IG, Newbee,VG, EG, C9, Titan

The last 5 teams who qualify, I cannot really tell. It's too close to call.

I agree with the invited teams;

• Alliance and Na'Vi, TI3 winner and runner up
• Fnatic, Stable roster and consistant(ish)
• IG, Cause Chaun
• Newbee, not completly sure, but they are essential TI3's Tongfu + Xiao8, they did come fourth so most likely will get invite )
• Empire, DK, EG C9 ( Based off recent performance, Empire are on a absolute rampage the last few months, I wonder if C9 are considered EU or US , should not matter if they get an invite but will have a big impact on things if they have to go through the qualifiers )
• VG and Titan, These teams I have not followed much , but VG has a good roster and good results for the end of 2013, Titan also has good a pedigree of players, but I do not know how they have been playing, and I Suppose they need to invite at least one SEA team.

I think the Qualifiers will be interesting;

• Europe Competition here will be fierce really hard to predict, lots of great teams, Sigma, Rox.Kis, Virtus Pro, Team Dog and secondary teams like MYM, Next.Kz
• China Some good teams here as well with DT, HGT, LGD, CIS
• America Will probably be Liquid to be honest, if they get their **** together, I don't think anyone that qualifies will do well, or at least better than EG
• SEA and Korea ? Will probably be an SEA team like Mith Trust or Orange esports ( Winter at the helm, can he recreate the MUFC magic ?? ) Lets be honest the Korean teams are ****e, they have not been in the scene long enough, BUT I really do ****ing hope, that the stars align, and somehow Purge and Blitz's team of 5 yanks, are allowed to play in the qualifier of this region, and THEN somehow qualify against the SEA teams, so they can go to the international and get absolutely trashed. Or even they may have a small chance of qualifying if they have to play in the American qualifiers as the team pool there is also a bit weak.

The Wild card will almost certainly be a European or Chinese team, if I had to guess all the teams it would be ( like cherry );


Invited: Empire, Na'vi, Alliance, Fnatic, DK, IG, Newbee,VG, EG, C9, Titan

Qualifiers:

Europe: Virtus Pro Win, Sigma Runner Up
China: LGD.cn Win, DT Runner Up
America: Liquid Win , Revenge Runner Up
SEA and Korea: No idea ! But, Orange Win, Zephyr Runner Up (Hopefully**)

Wild card final DT v Sigma, DT to win

cherryghost

Orange have been thrash lately, you'd be more likely to see Arrow or Scythe get through at this stage unfortunately. I feel for the team (and Liquid ofc).

LGD have also been substandard, I can see them not getting to TI4 unless Valve go nuts and send them a direct invite.

Rox.Kis has just started hitting their stride with the 3rd highest winrate of any team for last month so if they keep it going they will certainly be a contender at the quali's.

Sigma I really don't know. They were so impressive when they arrived on the scene but their recent troubles gives reason that they may not even get runner up!

tl;dr I dunno what to expect!

GO_Bear

cherryghost wrote: »

Orange have been thrash lately, you'd be more likely to see Arrow or Scythe get through at this stage unfortunately. I feel for the team (and Liquid ofc).

LGD have also been substandard, I can see them not getting to TI4 unless Valve go nuts and send them a direct invite.

Rox.Kis has just started hitting their stride with the 3rd highest winrate of any team for last month so if they keep it going they will certainly be a contender at the quali's.

Sigma I really don't know. They were so impressive when they arrived on the scene but their recent troubles gives reason that they may not even get runner up!

tl;dr I dunno what to expect!

Ye all this guessing is probably in vain, all the non chinese teams bar Alliance and Na'Vi will probably crumble at a lan this size and we will have a top 8 of ;

IG, DK, VG, Newbee, LGD, DT, Alliance and Na'Vi :pac:

Justice

The Invites must be sent pretty soon, travel and visa arrangements mean 3/4 months lead time on the invites (pretty sure that was the time-frame for ti3).]

i wonder if valve would use viewership figures from dota TV to determine most popular teams? really i think they will go all PC and give invites to cover all the main geographic areas.

we'll know alot more about the differences between east west dota soon, the big tournaments are all global now, so when they get to their finals stages we will see some east west clashes.

what im wondering is will this current version 6.80, and the diversity of strategies which are viable with it, be the version TI4 will be played on?

cherryghost

Nah 6.81 is currently being drafted out anyways with some further changes, they'll always play on whatevers the latest client version. I'm sure there will be another big patch prior to July too.

Dreddybajs

No way is 6.80 lasting til TI3. Also I don't think it's "going all PC" to invite teams from every region, it's called The International ffs. :P

BMMachine

I reckon LGD will get an invite. They are still a big dog in china as regards exposure and stuff. I already cant wait for this Na'Vi to make their 4th straight final?

Actually - Dream Final for me: Na'Vi vs DK. with Na'Vi having knocked out Alliance and DK knocking out IG

cherryghost

They may be big but results should prioritize over popularity.

cherryghost

Titan are playing DK tomorrow, this game will surely see the divide (if any) between the number one China and number one SEA team and will let us know if any SEA team stands a chance at TI4.

cherryghost

cherryghost wrote: »

Titan are playing DK tomorrow, this game will surely see the divide (if any) between the number one China and number one SEA team and will let us know if any SEA team stands a chance at TI4.

Well that was an amazing game. Quality from both sides.

Tar.Aldarion

vod?

cherryghost

Look it up yourself :P I'll be doing my annual pubstomp for this too, I already had the days off. Score!

Tar.Aldarion

This interests me >_>

GO_Bear

Did some one say cans ?

cherryghost

Well, expect Sigma to disband this weekend, as Fata and Pas are moving to Team Dog so it seems. Team Dog have a really strong lineup now

Dreddybajs

That team is so sick, Pajkatt's always been my favourite player, glad to see him back on a really strong team.

BMMachine

i always thought that if Pajkatt wasnt on LGD.int last year he would have been a shoe-in for no tidehunter/alliance when EE left. good to see Fata on a strong lineup too.

kiad

btw - Empire will crumble. was the same last year, strong in jan - april, then they get figured out

cherryghost

I disagree, their drafts are more varied than last year. I think they can go a long way as long as they don't choke.

BMMachine

pajkatt weaver today versus alliance was excellent. really liking the look of this sigma team

cherryghost

Both DK and EG doing the dirty against Alliance and Na'vi today, shows how level the teams are at this point.

Tar.Aldarion

when are these qualifiers, may?

cherryghost

Yup

cherryghost

Very surprised to see EG the strongest team of Starladder finals so far.

BMMachine

cherryghost wrote: »

Very surprised to see EG the strongest team of Starladder finals so far.

they were playing great before the finals. I think them and Empire had the two best records going in. Arteezy really is a boss, seems to be everything hes cracked up to be. also nice to see Universe on a top team. and yeah, EE subbing for fear... imba

NeoSlicerZ

cherryghost wrote: »

Very surprised to see EG the strongest team of Starladder finals so far.

Apart from the fact that they were the best performing team coming into Starladder, barring DK with iG playing horrendously sloppy. The usual Navi amount of scrimming. Empire was pretty impressive too. rtz' mid is impressive as usual, no SF on lux from USW problems.

cherryghost

I dunno, EG came in the back of heavy losses against Empire, Na'vi and someone else I don't remember. Regardless, it's clear DK are in a class of their own after Starladder. EG and Empire a distant 2nd and 3rd. Rest of the teams need catching up. TI4 quali's are in a months time, and I can see some teams disappointed not getting the invite and more disappointed they didn't get through the TI4 quali's. ESL One is the last big tourney before TI4 so will be interesting to see how that goes.

NeoSlicerZ

cherryghost wrote: »

I dunno, EG came in the back of heavy losses against Empire, Na'vi and someone else I don't remember. Regardless, it's clear DK are in a class of their own after Starladder. EG and Empire a distant 2nd and 3rd. Rest of the teams need catching up. TI4 quali's are in a months time, and I can see some teams disappointed not getting the invite and more disappointed they didn't get through the TI4 quali's. ESL One is the last big tourney before TI4 so will be interesting to see how that goes.

Lux vs USE.

KarmaBaby

Watched NewBee murder DK this morning. Current Meta is starting to get awfully boring. All the Asian teams are just constantly drafting the same heroes. They need some teams to shake it up with some new strats.

As brilliant as DK are, I find it hard to see past Alliance & Na'Vi for TI4, because they are just so good at adapting with new counter drafts in a BO3/BO5.

BMMachine

KarmaBaby wrote: »

Watched NewBee murder DK this morning. Current Meta is starting to get awfully boring. All the Asian teams are just constantly drafting the same heroes. They need some teams to shake it up with some new strats.

As brilliant as DK are, I find it hard to see past Alliance & Na'Vi for TI4, because they are just so good at adapting with new counter drafts in a BO3/BO5.

in winning SL9, Burning played 9 different heroes across all matches. They seem to favour Cent and Invoker (for obvious reasons) and whichever supports work well with their lineup (from looking at their picks, its no issue what Lanm and X play). I agree that the meta is getting predictable but don't doubt for one second that DK can match navi and alliances draft. heck, even EG (who I consider to have quite predictable drafting) outdrafted alliance on LAN (well game 1 anyhow).
I do think Na'Vi and Alliance will up their game heading into TI4 but I think more teams have caught up to their level the past year and in the case of DK, outclassed them. Look at this time last year when both Na'Vi and Alliance went to china and won 2 major tournaments, can you honestly see that happening if they did the same now?

KarmaBaby

BMMachine wrote: »

in winning SL9, Burning played 9 different heroes across all matches. They seem to favour Cent and Invoker (for obvious reasons) and whichever supports work well with their lineup (from looking at their picks, its no issue what Lanm and X play). I agree that the meta is getting predictable but don't doubt for one second that DK can match navi and alliances draft. heck, even EG (who I consider to have quite predictable drafting) outdrafted alliance on LAN (well game 1 anyhow).
I do think Na'Vi and Alliance will up their game heading into TI4 but I think more teams have caught up to their level the past year and in the case of DK, outclassed them. Look at this time last year when both Na'Vi and Alliance went to china and won 2 major tournaments, can you honestly see that happening if they did the same now?

I wouldn't be convinced that other teams have caught up to their level. I just think that both Alliance and Na'Vi have either been taking games less seriously or are suffering a little from exhaustion and have one eye on TI4. Every team has their peak in the year and I think both are looking to peak at the right time for the bigger tournament.

You're probably right about DK though as I haven't watched enough of SL9 and too much of their games against other Asian teams, which are getting increasingly boring.

BMMachine

if you have been watching over the past 6 months you can see that a ton of teams have caught up. Alliance dipped pretty sharply after the last international and are only getting their results back on track now. Na'Vi have been very up and down since the turn of the year too. Teams are getting the hang of how they play and what they need to do to beat them, even teams like Power Rangers can take both these teams on, same with Team Dog & Cloud 9. You don't go to a LAN finals like SL9 with that prizepool and not play your best or hold something back. By the time the international rolls around the game will have probably shifted a different direction again - maybe lycan wont be instapicked and naga wont be banned (unlikely in nagas case) and stuff like that. sure they are very adaptable teams but the advantage they had this time last year isn't there anymore, in some ways they are playing catchup.

They are still top contenders for TI4 and Na'Vi always show up firing, will probably be a bigger test for alliance but they are buffered by having the best support in the world (EGM) who can turn games on their head. DK have to be favourites atm but below them are IG, NewBee, Alliance, Na'Vi, EG, and Empire and as we have seen lately, all these teams are fully capable of beating each other. To say that you can't see beyond Alliance and Na'Vi for TI4 is looking too much at the past. You do that with DotA and you you get passed by, Na'Vi (Puppey, Dendi and xboct anyhow) seem to be the exception to this. They will up their game, but so will everyone else

BMMachine

watching DK - HGT on my break. DK drafted riki-wisp mid and QoP(shes still alive!) solo safe. HGT won game one in a complete walkover, ZSMJ is some player. they seem to be trying a bit of everything

BMMachine

So the biggest event on the DotA calender is here. On in Seattle from July 18 to July 21, The International 4 is going to be an amazing showcase of the best DotA 2 teams in the world.

The invites went out yesterday and the following have guaranteed slots to the tournament:
(Sweden) Alliance
(EU) Cloud 9
(China) Team DK
(Russia) Empire
(USA) Evil Geniuses
(EU) Fnatic
(China) invictus Gaming
(China) NewBee
(Ukraine) Natus Vincere
(Malaysia) Titan
(China) Vici Gaming

Biggest surprise there is the exclusion of LGD Gaming, one of the largest and most storied of the Chinese teams. Bad results these past few months though means they have to take the long road to get to Seattle. From my point of few, the invited teams certainly are the best around at the minute and alls fair in love and dota. Team Dog, Virtus Pro, Team Liquid and Tong Fu are probably the other big teams to miss out on an invite and of course, there are a host of other great teams with top players who they will have to battle through.

The dates for the qualifiers are as follows:
May 12 - 15th NA Qualifier
May 20th - 23th Chinese Qualifier
May 16th - 19th SEA Qualifier
24th - 27th European Qualifiers

For more information, check out this piece from joindota.com


The Spring Cleaning patch has yet to be tested at a competitive level and we all know a patch like that can really change up how teams play. I'm looking forward to more strategies and hopefully riskier heroes. What about you guys?

cherryghost

cherryghost wrote: »

This was announced Mar 31st, so it's not an Aprils fools joke :P



So... any takers for the 11 invited teams?

I have: Empire, Na'vi, Alliance, Fnatic, DK, IG, Newbee,VG, EG, C9, Titan

The last 5 teams who qualify, I cannot really tell. It's too close to call.

You guys can thank me later. I got 11/11 right

KarmaBaby

cherryghost wrote: »

You guys can thank me later. I got 11/11 right

well played.

Now to the qualifier predictions which are much much harder. Who do you think will be added through the back door?

This is going to be one team from each section and then one last spot going to one of the section runner-ups after a 4 way play-off.

http://www.dotacinema.com/news/the-international-4-teams-announced


I'm going with Team Liquid, Scythe, LGD, Rox.Kis and Team Dog.

BMMachine

KarmaBaby wrote: »

I'm going with Team Liquid, Scythe, LGD, Rox.Kis and Team Dog.

aye, they are definitely the favourites when you look across the groups. Power Rangers are pretty good too so it wouldnt surprise me if they replaced one of Rox/Dog.
I really want a TL vs. Sneaky Nyx Assassins final for the North America group. FLUFF versus the team that quite publicly got rid of him. I also really want to see this new LGD.CDEC team with Maybe. Hes reported to be the Chinese version of Arteezy and LGD seem to have faith in him and will give him time. I think hes not on the main roster due to school or some such, he was very briefly though.

cherryghost

May 12 - 15th NA Qualifier

1. CNB e-Sports Club
2. No Earthspirit
3. North American Rejects
4. Osiris Gaming
5. Revenge eSports
6. Sneaky Nyx Assassins
7. Team eHug
8. Team Liquid
9. TOP5
10. Union Gaming

The weakest of the groups and some questionable teams there too. I reckon it will go down to Liquid and SNA as BMMachine pointed out. Really not sure who will win that but I guess both teams forms are out the window (TL all over the place, SNA not enough games to show consistency).

May 16th - 19th SEA Qualifier

1. Arrow Gaming
2. Execration
3. First Departure
4. Mineski Infinity
5. MiTH.Trust
6. MVP Phoenix
7. Orange Esports
8. Rex Regum Qeon
9. Scythe Gaming
10. Team Zephyr

Both this and China look the most open. Any of these teams could probably make it. There's a lot of support for Zephyr naturally but they haven't made their impact when playing teams outside of Korea. I'd put my rares on either Arrow or Scythe

May 20th - 23th Chinese Qualifier

1. CIS Game
2. CNB.cn
3. DT.NGC
4. HyperGloryTeam
5. LGD.CDEC
6. LGD Gaming
7. New Element
8. Orenda
9. Speed Gaming.cn
10. TongFu

LGD look super shocking, I can't see them going through at all. CIS have been too inconsistant, Orenda are just hilarious to watch tbh. I reckon either HGT or DT could make it.

24th - 27th European Qualifier

1. Aware Gaming
2. hehe united
3. Monomaniacs
4. Meet Your Makers
5. NEXT.kz
6. Power Rangers
7. Relax
8. RoX.KIS
9. Team Dog
10. Virtus.pro

Has to be Dog doesn't it? I'm sure some other teams will put up a fight but Dog has impressed me the most since their inaugeration.

cherryghost

VG looking to the strongest team in China post Starladder. They are on a hotstreak lately.

BMMachine

cherryghost wrote: »

VG looking to the strongest team in China post Starladder. They are on a hotstreak lately.

yeah some very impressive stuff from them. Dreamtime have also been really good. and as I post this i just tune into DT vs VG and VG are a game up DT currently running nightstalker and morphling like its 2012

kersplodey

BMMachine wrote: »

yeah some very impressive stuff from them. Dreamtime have also been really good. and as I post this i just tune into DT vs VG and VG are a game up DT currently running nightstalker and morphling like its 2012

Hey, Morphling is coming back!

Don't believe me? EE-Sama plays a damn good Morphling.

Nightstalker ain't bad either

cherryghost

Morphling has been back a while. EG have been drafting him the last few months

kersplodey

Yeah, I know, but I quite like the EternalEnvy circlejerk.

He's so awkward.

Granted, I do think he's probably one of the best carry players at the moment.

KarmaBaby

Zephyr suffered their first loss to MVP yesterday going down in the second game when MVP drafted a carry Warlock who managed to rush Ags+Refresher.

Embarrassing.

Purge's team aren't going to be a fact in the SEA qualifiers at all.

BMMachine

kersplodey wrote: »

Yeah, I know, but I quite like the EternalEnvy circlejerk.

He's so awkward.

Granted, I do think he's probably one of the best carry players at the moment.

He also gets muted a lot due to mass troll reporting

yeah it was more the NS + Morph as 2 cores which reminded me of TI2. lunch time VG vs Newbee on atm

kersplodey

BMMachine wrote: »

He also gets muted a lot due to mass troll reporting

yeah it was more the NS + Morph as 2 cores which reminded me of TI2. lunch time VG vs Newbee on atm

Oh, yeah, he's a bit of a dick.

Ugh, lunch hour in work isn't until 1pm.

BMMachine

kersplodey wrote: »

Oh, yeah, he's a bit of a dick.

Ugh, lunch hour in work isn't until 1pm.

he isnt really, just gets reported by trolls. has happened to a lot of pro players recently. I think 2 weeks ago toby was casting a game and 4 players were chat muted including the 2 captains

kersplodey

BMMachine wrote: »

he isnt really, just gets reported by trolls. has happened to a lot of pro players recently. I think 2 weeks ago toby was casting a game and 4 players were chat muted including the 2 captains

He can be. :P

But yeah, the reporting system in Dota 2 is awful. Valve should probably do something about it.

BMMachine

kersplodey wrote: »

He can be. :P

But yeah, the reporting system in Dota 2 is awful. Valve should probably do something about it.

brave words to say around here

Newbee up 12-8 atm but VG have their agh's on tiny/wisp.
Newbee game 1 - Weaver, TA, Cent, Lich, Disruptor
VG game 1 - Wisp, Tiny, Invoker(wex quas), treant, nyx

xiao8 is a bit of an absolute boss right now, been playing brilliantly since he got married to that model. she must be quite inspiring

kersplodey

BMMachine wrote: »

brave words to say around here

Newbee up 12-8 atm but VG have their agh's on tiny/wisp.
Newbee game 1 - Weaver, TA, Cent, Lich, Disruptor
VG game 1 - Wisp, Tiny, Invoker(wex quas), treant, nyx

xiao8 is a bit of an absolute boss right now, been playing brilliantly since he got married to that model. she must be quite inspiring

Want more brave words? I hate Quas/Wex Invokers. :P

I think Quas/Exort is a far better style of play the majority of the time.

Granted, in that lineup it kind of works because tornado + emp + root + tiny stun = win teamfight.