Written by: meruna, drouks and Tjernobyl
All four teams which managed to qualify to the play-offs of The International West Qualifier start in the winner's bracket today. The CIS powerhouse RoX.KIS will go up against one of the favourites of the tournament, EG; after that, mouz will play DD.Dota. syndereN, mouz' new captain, has played with three of DD's team members back in mTw, which might make this match-up rather special.
Bracket
Today's matches
[Match 1] RoX.KIS vs Evil Geniuses
Game one
After Io had been banned so much in this tournament, it made it through the first ban phase this time around and EG picked it up and coupled it with a Sven on their safe lane. Together with KoTL, they went up against RoX' aggressive tri lane featuring Jakiro, Shadow Demon and Weaver. In mid, Solo's Juggernaut was going up against Puck; the bottom lane was a match-up between Nature's Prophet and Batrider. Bamboe had a harder time on that Nature's Prophet and even died as the first blood, only to die again two minutes later. On the tri-lane, RoX' weaver was farming better than EG's Sven, but EG's support were getting more experience due to the ability to pull.
After finding an invisibility rune, Batrider moved top to pick off the Keeper of the Light. However, Solo's Juggernaut had died two times to Puck at that point, making Puck the hero with the highest net value ten minutes in, although the overall gold and experience graph was almost even. 12 minutes into the game and after a total score of 6-3, Batrider bought his Blink Dagger while Puck was still about 500 gold short. With this slight advantage, RoX.KIS started to push the towers. EG, however, were willing to trade towers and showed the pushing ability of Nature's Prophet.
With a Shadow Blade up on this hero, a Mekansm on KoTL and a Black King Bar and Mask of Madness on Sven, EG had their core items earlier than RoX.KIS. Juggernaut was still farming his Aghanim's Scepter and Weaver had not finished the Linken's Sphere yet. For some reason, EG decided to not take fights while they had the advantage and RoX' players were able to farm more and finish their items.
As the American team finally relocated Sven and Wisp to pick off one of RoX' heroes, it was already too late and Juggernauts Omnislash destroyed them both. Feeling confident, RoX.KIS wanted to go for Roshan, but EG showed that despite being behind in kills they were not out of the game , and won the team fight. Although RoX immediately bought back two heroes, EG claimed Roshan and Sven picked up the Aegis. Only shortly after, he bought a Crystalis, expanding EG's gold lead to 4,500. The next minutes were only used to farm, farm, farm more items on both sides and with a Hex on both Nature's Prophet and Puck as well as a Daedalus on Sven, EG started to push bottom (see screenshot) and even out the kill score to 12-12 fast. At this point, EG were 10,000 gold ahead.
EG went for Roshan and picked up the Aegis fast. Even though RoX.KIS was a few moments too late to contest the Roshan, they still wanted to fight. With a big Ice Path and Omnislash, they picked up four of EG's heroes one by one and pulled ahead again, leading by 18-13.
More and more big items got picked up and EG pushed their gold lead over 10,000 gold again. However, RoX.KIS snuck into Roshan and killed him quickly. With only some smaller pick-offs happening, more time was used on farm. With a full inventory on Sven, EG decided to go bottom and destroy most of RoX' team in only a few crits which ranged to up to about 1,600 damage. 55 minutes in, RoX.KIS called the GG.
Game two
EG began their game by marching inside their enemies' forest, warding the important camps to prevent Chen from getting experience, forcing him to go bottom. Both teams then rotated to the Radiant side jungle, where a 5v5 clash took place, with Gyrocopter and Chen being the first victims of this game.
The early game aggression by the Americans drastically increased their momentum, as they managed to pick many kills in the first ten minutes of the game. However, RoX.KIS managed to grab a 3-1 fight 4 minutes later, with Bdizz, Fear and Bamboe succumbing to RoX.KIS' teamfight capabilities. Vanskor's Shadow Demon death was the only positive outcome for EG.
The score was 7-5 when the game hit the 20th minute mark. Both teams had managed to take down two tier-one towers, but EG had a slight gold advantage. However, EG tried to prevent Luna from killing a big ancient stack that would help her catch up with EG's carries. DeMoN's Storm launched himself with Ball Lighting from a huge distance, catching Luna, but he ended up without enough mana to escape. He got isolated, with only Fear by his side to help him. Both of them were picked off by RoX.KIS, making the score 7-7.
RoX.KIS, abusing the blunder of the Americans, managed to get the map control back, getting more pick-offs and even killing Roshan by minute 26. Then they turned to pushing, grabbing an uncontested top tier-two and the middle tier-two after assassinating DeMoN's Storm. Treant Protector's Living Armor seemed useless against the Russians' pushing power.
EG, attempting to get back into the game, used a 5-man Smoke of Deceit. RoX were well prepared, placing themselves next to their secret shop trees. The narrow passage absolutely obliterated EG heroes, who suffered a big Reverse Polarity and Wall of Replica combo. The fight ended 5-0 in favor of RoX, who then moved to seal the deal, and grabbed another Roshan by minute 37. EG, on the other hand, got an easy kill on the misplaced Yol's Chen.
41 minutes on the clock, RoX.KIS tried to take down the middle barracks to capitalize on their advantage. However, Solo's Reverse Polarity caught only Fear, and his second Reverse Polarity completely missed. This mistake gave EG some breathing space, and they tried to counter push, but the result was a 2-1 trade in favor of RoX.KIS. The Russians then payed a visit to the Rosh pit once again, and moved to finish the game. A double Reverse Polarity on EG's carries were all RoX needed to end the game, as they took down the bottom barracks and finished the second game.
Game Three
RoX.KIS rushed out of their base immediately when the game began, using a Smoke of Deceit to travel fast to EG's jungle. Placing a lane-ward, they managed to catch an isolated Magnus, who dropped in seconds giving the first blood to Solo's Juggernaut. Despite getting this early first blood, RoX.KIS made two crucial mistakes - yol's Enchantress got picked off and Solo overextended, dying to the tower while DeMoN escaped. These two deaths turned the score into 2-1 in favor of EG.
Seconds after the 10th minute, RoX.KIS tried to take out the mid tier-one. They managed to do so, but EG's quick response cost them three heroes, Batrider, Enchanress and Rubick. The fight ended 3-1 in favor of EG, making the score 2-5. The score remained the same for about ten minutes, during which Batrider and Magnus farmed their daggers. The Russians tried to disrupt EG's farm, and entered their forest. A miscalculation by Fear's Nyx Assassin helped Solo land a full Omnislash, giving RoX.KIS two kills on the supports.
A huge fight took place next to the Roshan pit by minute 22, as SexyBamboe's Magnus landed a huge Reverse Polarity on four heroes. However, his late Shockwave helped Vanskor's Rubick steal Reverse Polarity, turning the fight around impressively. Ending up 4-2 for RoX, the fight guaranteed a safe Roshan and an important gold/experience boost.
11 minutes after RoX.KIS's temporary victory, EG decided to give them a taste of their own medicine. EG placed themselves near the Dire secret shop, abusing the tactic RoX used in the previous game. RoX fell into the trap, resulting in two Reverse Polairties by Bamboe. Both of them caught important targets, and the clash turned into a teamwipe for RoX.KIS, and the tides turned for the second time in this game.
EG looked for a push to capitalize on their lead. RoX.KIS, desperate to reapply pressure to EG, spent many buybacks to turn the next fight around, but only managed to pick up Bamboe and Fear. Nevertheless, they managed to push the middle lane, to drive EG off their base for a few minutes. They even tried to get inside EG's base, but only ended losing Solo's Juggernaut in return.
It was time for the Americans to start pressuring again, and they pushed mid again. Another Reverse Polarity by Bamboe secured them the fight, but lacking the mana to refresh his ultimate, Bamboe ended up dropping again. With the fight spreading in front of RoX.KIS base, EG picked two more kills, for a 4-2 fight.
RoX.KIS were not going to give up - with EG failing to get in their base after the previous fight, they tightened their defenses, and waited for the next assault by EG. Being well prepared, they managed to catch EG out of position, and not even a 3-man Reverse Polarity changed the situation. Vanskor even stole the spell, but ended up catching only one. The fight still ended 3-1 in favor of RoX.KIS.
At this point, the game looked like it could go both ways - EG stormed the Radiant jungle once again, catching yol's Enchantress out of position. RoX.KIS rushed to defend their teammate, but that only worsened the situation for the Russians, as they gave a 4-1 fight to EG.
The game hit the 60th mark with RoX.KIS making a huge mistake - Gyrocopter was absent from his base as EG were destroying the barracks, thinking that he could take down the bottom barracks himself. EG took a free set of barracks giving nothing in return. Another building trade took place a few seconds later, with EG taking down the bottom set and RoX.KIS taking down the top.
The big length of the game started having an effect on the players, who kept making mistakes after mistakes. EG tried to finish the game with a rushed initiation inside the Russians' base, but Dread's Flaming Lasso caught Bamboe a few miliseconds before the Reverse Polarity Animation ends. Bamboe got destroyed, and so did the rest of EG, for a 4-0 fight in favor of the Russians. Four buybacks immediately came from EG, but they did not change the situation.
The successful defense gave Bzz enough money for a Divine Rapier. The high damage coming from the item surprised EG, who lost a 3-0 fight next to their top barracks. This gave RoX.KIS the chance to take down another set of barracks, but they did not manage to get super creeps, thanks to the bottom Ranged Barracks still standing.
The game was slipping out of EG's hands, and they attempted yet another assault to RoX.KIS throne. Magnus was unable to get a proper RP, and EG lost their last big fight, with Luna's Divine Rapier not helping at all. RoX.KIS then moved to finish the barracks, and the throne went down a few seconds later. The game lasted for 76 minutes, with a score of 36-31.
[Match 2] mousesports vs DDdota
Game one
DDdota looked really solid in their group, plowing through both Rox.Kis and Absolute Legends and now they are up versus mouseports. Mouz have done their home work, banning out Treant Protector first thing as the game starts. Mouse puts emphasis early on getting their trilane going well well DDdota knows the impact a Magnus can have and goes for harrassing him as much as possible in the mid lane. The teams trade even early game without too many engagements until DDdota scores a perfect fight and a triple kill for Silents Gyrocopter. The manage to repeat the outcome next fight, followed by taking Roshan. After two well executed fights, it is now clear who is getting a grip of the game.
With the advantage of having an Aegis, DDdota tries out the mid push. FATA- however lands a perfect Reverse Polarity but the high levels combined with the Mekasm + Hand of God coming out from the Chen turns the fight for DDdota. They can't use the advantage to enter the base though as they are too low and eventually lose two heroes trying to fall back, overextending slightly.
After the attempt mid, DDdota goes back to farming passively. Silents Gyrocopter is getting out of hand at this point, breaching 20k Networth before minute 30 while Black is only just at 12k. They try for bot lane this time with some success but a well positioned Wall of Replica keeps them from staying and pushing the buildings. DDdota fall back slightly and mousesports sees what the think is an opening. The Aghanims Scepter of Sockshka is the tide turner, counter-initating on mousesports before they manage to properly start off the fight. Mousesports lose a few heroes and DDdota takes down the bottom lane barracks.
Not too long afterwards, Socksha catches syndereN with another fantastic hook shot and he goes down. When mouse tries to respond, Socksha hooks into FATA and cogs him off, preventing him from blinking into the fight and DDdota goes on to take down the mid barracks. Mousesports put up one final attempt at Rosh pit but gets wiped pretty quickly due to the immense damage coming out of Gyrocopter. DDdota wins the first map.
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Game two
Game two starts with mouz quickly taking down the top tier 1 tower. The trade they do is giving complete free farm to Silent's Phantom Lancer though. After the tower is gone, the supports totate mid to claim the first blood in Funzi's Queen of Pain. DDdota are happy with the lack of fighting, they are mostly focused on getting that Blink Dagger up for the Batrider because of the impact it generally has and especially in this game where mouz will want to fight as a unit. Quickly grabbing and killing one of them will disrupt the fight. The lack of farm on FATA is proving to be a problem, and despite not getting kills or towers, DDdota are pulling ahead.
Both teams are just trading towers at this point, the socre is 3 - 4 after 20 minutes and Phantom Lancer is already starting to look really scary, taking down towers solo quicker than the five mouz players together. However, after Funzi blinks into an awkward situation and an unexpected Lifestealer, mouz gets a chance to push. FATA blinks to coil, but the damage isn't there and he gets silenced and picked off. Synderen also drops and loses his gem followed by DD smoking and going for Roshan. FATA and Black tries to steal the kill but it backfires and they lose another crucial fight whereas DD can push base after the Rosh kill. Mouz fails to stop them and calls the "gg". DDdota moves on in the upper bracket.
[Match 1] Evil Geniuses vs mousesports
Game one
After their loss to DD, the mouseports team is out for blood. The feared Bane + Lina combo is picked up and helps out scoring a few kills on Demon early, delaying his game. The game starts out even but after a series of well controlled and positioned fights, mouz gains advantage. The momentum based hero Night Stalker isn't able to do much after the poor start. FATA with some lucky haste runes manages to help out the other lanes aswell.
The lack of big ultimate skills is coming back to haunt EG, they are reliant on their Night Stalker to do well for map control and shutting down heroes. And since he was shut down, EG are struggling while mouz with their superior lock downs use their heroes to their advantage to keep the ball at their side of the field. Mouse appears to always be one step ahead and after the early game they basically win every team fight.
Essentially it's all about mousesports getting too much gold and experience for EG to handle. EG have no big ultimates to help them come back, if Bat blinks in and a grabs a hero they others can basically just stand and watch him die at this point of the game. EG keeps trying to defend but the heroes of mouz refuse to die and eventually the Germans (+ synd) can claim the win.
Game two
First blood goes down to EG in the midlane with the help of a hasted Lifestealer. This time around EG doesn't go for the same mistake as last game, they pick big impact heroes like Magnus and Gyro while backing it up with a good source of damage in Leshrac. The game is pretty static early on and mouz sneaks down a surprise Roshan at minute 14 just using Luna and TA. However after that, EG starts winning a few fights by good map movements and by utilizing their ultimate and spell combos.
After two poorly chosen times to engage, EG loses all their advantage though. They smoke into the enemy ancients but it's spotted by mouz's warding and they get punished severly for it. And then next engage EG starts throwing in their heroes in the Rosh pit trying to steal the Rosh kill. They fail and get killed by an Eclipse while Jeyo gets pushed up on the cliff by Blinding Light. The game is getting out of hand and Evil Geniuses are closer and closer to missing out on playing at The International. Next fight also goes mousesports way when Qojqva catches bdiz offguard in the enemy jungle. EG then tries to save the situation and lose more heroes by doing so aswell as their bottom barracks.
The situation is dire and calls for desperate measures, Jeyo tries to farm a Divine. Mousesports goes for the mid lane, the tower is already gone. Demon gets a decent Reverse off but paS locks down Black King Bar'd Gyro straight away with the Grip, wasting his BKB. EG do what they can, desperately buys back to save their barracks and it works for now. The cogs of Clockwerk does so much work in this fight, sealing off EG so they can't get good follow up's for the Reverse Polarity. EG avoid fights for abit after that, and Jeyo manages to build his Divine.
Black pokes his nose inside the base, gets skewered but a disaster for EG, getting three heroes trapped inside the cog. Despite that, Magnus lands a good Reverse and they pick off a few, Black loses his Aegis. But when he spawns he casts the Eclipse and goes mental, EG are forced to fall back and surrender their mid set of barracks. EG feel like they need to try something smokes for the Rosh pit and arrives just when he spawns. However they are traps and wards all over the pit. Clockwork hooks into Demon while Bane grips Gyro from the high ground. Evil Geniuses gets stomped in the team fight, drops the Divine and accepts defeat. Mousesports are still in the run for The International. Evil Geniuses however, are not.
