Somewhere in the middle of December, DotA 2 underwent a major change. New concepts were added to the game that would revolutionize it, for the better, if you ask me. Since then, one of the questions on the DotA community’s mind was how would it affect the professional games and tournament. That question was answered last week at ESL Genting in Malaysia where Digital Chaos took the win.
Before we get into the tournament, let’s just delve into a couple of prominent changes in the game. The first one is what’s called a talent tree. In a hero’s 25 levels, they get to choose one of two talents at levels 10, 15, 20 and 25. What talents are picked defines the hero’s playstyle.
The second is the introduction of shrines in the middle of the map which provide high health and mana regeneration. A player needn’t go to base for regeneration at all times which makes it a faster game.
The teams to look out for were the Chinese powerhouses Newbee and Wings Gaming, American Digital Chaos and European Virtus Pro. Fnatic were the home favorites. But entering with a new roster, not many expected them to progress too far in the event.
Unsurprisingly, the four teams made it through the group stages and the semifinals lined us as West vs West (DC vs VP) and East vs East (Newbee vs Wings). In the battle of the West, Digital Chaos proved why they took second place at The International 6 in August as they swept aside Virtus Pro rather effortlessly.
It was quite the opposite for the other semifinal though. Every tournament has its best match, and Newbee and Wings claimed that honor in Malaysia. With the series tied at 1-1, the decider went to the wire. Newbee were patient and held their own to oust the reigning TI champions 2-1 and advance to the finals!
The stage was set for Digital Chaos and Newbee to claim the first tournament in a new world order of DotA and neither team disappointed. Newbee was leading 2-1 in the best of 5 finals when DC played some superb DotA to win the fourth game and take the finals to a decider, just as everyone would have loved!
The perfect end to the tournament would have been a dramatic, hour long fifth game with ebb and flow; but not everything always turns out perfectly. Riding on the momentum, DC comfortably took game number five as well and with it, the first place at ESL One Genting.
The meta is still fresh and players are still figuring out the play style that best suits it. If you ask me, this is the best time for watching tournaments as with the teams experimenting, you get to see a lot of amusing plays. Digital Chaos have already made a mark in 2017. Can’t wait to find out who’ll be next!
