LGD's Fan 'rotk' Bai. Image from dotablast
Na’Vi were unable to topple LGD even with Dendi playing Pudge, as the game went on past the peak of Na’Vi’s line-up. In LGD’s following game, Alliance were able to destroy the Chinese outfit’s barracks in short order.
In an all-in draft, Na’Vi attempted to run LGD over with early game pressure. Despite picking a Tusk for Sonneiko and the infamous Pudge for Danil ‘Dendi’ Ishutin, Na’Vi were unsuccessful in their task. LGD were able to weather the early storm, and win out with their superior late-game heroes. In the game following their victory over Na’Vi, LGD faced Alliance. The Swedes were able to succeed where Na’Vi had failed, rushing down LGD’s barracks within 27 minutes.
Na’Vi and LGD met with the teams on opposite ends of the log. Na’Vi sat flagging towards the bottom of Group A, whilst LGD were undefeated. Na’Vi knew that they had to do something drastic and unorthodox in order to take down the Chinese juggernaut. Na’Vi elected to last-pick a Pudge for Dendi and hope for the best. Whilst they did draft an Anti-Mage for Dimitrii 'Ditya-Ra' Minenkov, it was clear from the outset that the Ukrainian team’s line-up was on a definite clock. Anti-Mage could not face up to Yao 'Maybe' Lu’s Shadow Fiend and Jia Jun 'Sylar' Lu’s Slark by himself in the late-game. They needed the early game to go well.
Sadly for Na’Vi, it didn’t. Dendi’s early rotations were not as successful as they needed to be, and LGD were able to trade kills where Na’Vi needed to execute clean ganks. Over the entire match, Dendi only managed to land 36% of his Hooks, an indication of the faltering nature of the team’s rotations. LGD knew they were sitting pretty, and bought Hands of Midas on Sylar’s Slark and Zeng Rong 'Dai-MMY' Lei’s Witch Doctor. As time ticked away, so did Na’Vi’s hopes of claiming the game. LGD’s heroes scaled better, and the game was over just before 39 minutes.
LGD undoubtedly went into their game against Alliance seeping with confidence. They drafted an experimental line-up including heroes thought to be strong in the current 6.86 patch. Alliance, on the other hand, stuck with what they knew worked, picking up comfort heroes for all of their players.
Comfort won out over creativity in the end. Alliance were ahead in experience from the moment the game started, and in net worth from just before two minutes into the game. Alliance only allowed LGD three kills in the entire game, whilst claiming fifteen kills of their own. Where Na’Vi’s ganks ended messily, Gustav ‘s4’ Magnusson was dominant. Jonothan ‘Loda’ Berg farmed dramatically fast.
Before LGD had a chance to catch their breath in the entire game, it was over. The win put Alliance in a far more comfortable position in Group A, with a good chance of progression to the playoffs. Na’Vi, on the other hand, are out. There are many games of the Starladder|i-league remaining today. Some teams will perform admirably, and yet come short, as Na’Vi did. Some will taste the joy of victory. Who these will be remain to be seen – do not miss a moment of action from Minsk!
Headline image from Na'Vi
