The International 2017 Regional Roulette – Southeast Asia

Welcome to our Regional Roulette for The International! We will be previewing each region leading up the start of TI7. We begin with the “dark horse” region: Southeast Asia.

SEA Brings its Strongest Ticket to TI7

While the region did not receive any direct invites to Seattle, three teams will be attending through regional qualifiers. Each of these teams could make a run at the Aegis. Let’s get started:

TNC Pro Team – Qualifier Record 8-1

Roster

Position 1 (Carry) – Raven

Position 2 (Mid) – Kuku

Position 3 (Offlane) – Sam_H

Position 4 (Support) – Tims 

Position 5 (Support) – 1437

 

TNC Pro Team at the International shouldn’t be a surprise. They finished in the top-10 last year. Knocking off OG (2-0) in the Lower Bracket. Last year they were the “Cinderella” of the tournament, but are considered a major threat at TI7. Placing top-5 at their last 5 events, they are also playing well at the best time.

A big boost for TNC came in the form of their new captain: 1437. His drafting has provided another layer to an already potent team. He is not afraid to reveal their cores early in the draft if they have been winning. For example, 1437 has regularly first-phased the Queen of Pain for Kuku. The picture below shows that this has been extremely effective. Being picked 12 times with an 83% win-rate. Only topped by the Batrider that has been picked 11 times for Sam_H.

When it comes to playstyle, TNC loves having the initiation. Picking heroes like Slardar, Legion Commander, Nyx Assassin, and Sand King. All of these heroes are great initiators that become even stronger once they have a Blink Dagger. Their cores have great follow up and damage capabilities to delete heroes after the initiation comes through. For instance, the Raven usually plays a damage dealer like Sven, Drow Ranger, or Juggernaut. While Kuku brings in more damage and follow-up stun with Lina, QOP, or Puck. TNC wants to fight early and into the-game. Allowing space to be created for their farm-intensive cores. They will be fun to watch at the International and have a legitimate chance to finish in the top-5 this year.

Fnatic – Qualifier Record (7-2)

Roster

Position 1 (Carry) – Ahjit

Position 2 (Mid) – QO

Position 3 (Offlane) – Ohaiyo

Position 4 (Support) – Febby 

Position 5 (Support) – DJ

 

Finishing fourth at last year’s International should have solidified a direct invite for Fnatic. They were the SEA team, but they lost both Raven and DeMoN from their roster after they took a few tough losses. All the while still being a respected team, even though they were no longer the cream of the SEA crop.

That all changed with TI7 qualifiers. Fnatic reasserted themselves as a powerhouse in the SEA scene. Only dropping two maps out of nine. They were the top seed in the playoff rounds and 2-0’d both teams on their way to a spot at TI. Their new captain, DJ, has prioritized team-fighting. Most notably by picking a Witch Doctor 12 times, while also winning 75% of their games with the hero. This has single-handedly brought this hero back into the meta.

(Dotabuff)

Another interesting through the qualifiers was Ohaiyo on the Underlord. Ohaiyo has been around for a long time. He has an incredibly deep hero pool and is the only pro who plays a truly impactful Underlord. Fnatic has an 80% win rate on the hero. Which was first-phase banned quite often. Fnatic has an interesting way in approaching this meta. They like to have a strong early-mid game where they can transition early pickoffs into objectives. Once this is done their cores can safely farm and scale into the late game. Their unique pace will make them a tough draw for anyone at Seattle.

Execration – Qualifiers Record (5-4)

Roster

Position 1 (Carry) – Nando

Position 2 (Mid) – James

Position 3 (Offlane) – Raging Potato

Position 4 (Support) – RR

Position 5 (Support) – LeumiK

This team has been flying under the radar. If you look back at their player history a lot of familiar names pop-up. For example Abed and Tims both used to play for Execration. The team has kept its core and built some intriguing new talent with Raging Potato and Nando both impressing through qualifiers.

Playing at a similar early/mid game centric pace they fit well into the current meta. But, Execration loves to push the tempo even earlier. Their most picked supports are Tusk and Sand King. Two heroes that fight very well both early and often.

Probably the most interesting part of this team is their ability to shift playstyles. They much prefer teamfighting and snowballing early. Showing the ability to scale into the late game and pick-off heroes when needed. Picking heroes like Ursa and Lifestealer for Nando. Raging Potato is arguably the best Faceless Void player in Dota currently. He has a 66% win-rate with the hero always seeming to find great Chronosphere positions. Execration impressed through the qualifier. Beating Clutch Gamers and Mineski in three game series that were a great test before The International. Watch out for them to surprise a lot of teams.

Overall:

Southeast Asia is sending three very impressive teams to Seattle for The International 7. All of the teams should be competitive in the group stage. It would not be surprising to see them all move on to the Main Event. Their early and mid game focus around teamfighting is very strong in the current meta. Definitely going to be a very fun region to watch.

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