Yesterday at WePlay AniMajor the first playoff matches were played, after which so many questions arose that we will look for their answers in separate materials. And the person involved in this match is perhaps the key supplier of these questions.
Of course, we are talking about Aster. You know, you can believe that T1 is just incredibly strong and will win the Major in general, but to play so toothlessly, taking the TOP-1 in China (!) - how is it?
I remember that I offended Vici with the title of the weakest team on WePlay AniMajor. Now I want to repent and present this title to Aster.
Of course, these are all jokes and outbursts of emotions - nothing more. Who am I to throw stones at players like LaNm and Monet.
However, yesterday we clearly see that Aster is very out of shape. Although T1 was really great and played cool, two 20s each is not a goal.
Aster form
Since we started discussing (or burying?) Aster, we will continue to do this further. In general, Aster's decline was noticeable at the end of the DPC: they were losing to IG, Vici, Elephant, PSG.LGD.
It could be attributed to the unwillingness to strain before the major, but now we see what this leads to. The consequences are very unpleasant
Aster Recent Results
- Lose against Vici Gaming 0-2
- Defeat Elephant 2-1
- Defeat EHOME 2-1
- Defeat from PSG.LGD 0-2
- Lose at T1 0-2
Insecure play is also displayed in hero pickrate. On Mars in 4 games, Aster 50 WR, imbalanced Nyx Assassin in the hands of Aster does not win (0-2), Timber, Death Prophet, Lina and Lion, beloved by the Chinese - all below 50% winrate (except for Lion - he has 1-1).
Honestly, it seems to me that it will not be possible to rebuild the Aster game in one day. The only clearance for them in their current shape is that the stars have folded and they ride the T10 directly.
TNC shape
If we have not seen Aster, and judging by the trend, teams from the highest seeding are often much weaker than their counterparts from the group stage and Wild Card, we can safely assume that TNC will give heat. After all, we have already seen how TNC adapt and progress during the tournament.
TNC Latest Results
- Win against Beastcoast 2-0
- Defeat Nigma 2-0
- Defeat from PSG.LGD 0-2
- Draw against Liquid 1-1
- Draw in match with Spirit 1-1
TNC scored during the tournament, and I would call the last matches against Liquid and Spirit a misunderstanding rather than a regularity. This is what I mean.
TNC Predator is a diametrically opposite Aster team. They play in a completely different style, sometimes using the same heroes, but they do it differently.
TNC play fast, I would say boldly: in the last 10 matches we only saw Phantom Assassin 2 times as a "classic" carry, the rest of the TNC matches play with Magnus (3 games, 2-1 stats), DK (3 games 2-1 stat), Bristleback (2-3 stat with 5 appearances). This once again indicates the aggressive style of the team.
Personal meeting history
TNC Predator and Aster played 4 official matches. So far, the parity between the teams is 2-2, which will be broken today.
Match outcome
After yesterday's game Aster, against, for a second, a team from Southeast Asia, it seems to me that the Chinese are simply not comfortable playing such a Dota. They are not allowed to dry up the game, they are not allowed to "tinker" around the map and are forced to play aggressive laning, which is not given by Aster.
Add here Aster's direct hit at TI and we get a team playing against an inappropriate opponent with dubious motivation. In this match I am for TNC.
Outcome: victory for TNC Predator.
