TeamLiquid Dota 2 Power Rank - November 2013 November 3rd, 2013 22:54 GMT Text by Heyoka Graphics by shiroiusagi TL Dota 2 Power Rank November 2013



With the post-International shuffles now completed for several weeks, each team has had a month with several regularly running leagues to test the merit of their latest squads. We're back with another Power Rank to go in line with the regular



In both regions we saw two clear choices for first and second, with the competition for spots 3-5 extremely tight and closer than normal. In the end our experts Kipsate, Kupon3ss, flamewheel, shostakovich, and Kpoptosis fleshed out appropriate ranks based on small edges and tiny advances in play through the biggest events currently running.



Come one, come all, and enjoy reading and discussing the best teams out there this month.



China/SEA Power Rank





1. Team DK





Kupon3ss: After a seemingly unstoppable 14-0 run through the twilight of 6.78, the all-star team hit their first major speed bump in the 5th week of the WPC with their first major loss. Despite faltering slightly, the team has recovered nicely with a convincing 2-0 win over their closest rival iG during their last encounter. The team has shown to be utterly dominating in the strength of their solos, dynamic and flexible in the movement of supports, and as stable as ever in the execution of their late game. The question on everybody's mind is how the strongest team the East has ever assembled will match up against the best of the West in Nexon and MLG.



flamewheel: With its new superstar squad, DK absolutely dominated post-TI3 6.78, losing pretty much zero important games. Then, 6.79 came out and DK started to falter a bit. They were slow to adapt to the big changes in game play that 6.79 brought, and looked unimpressive for a short while. However, DK seems to have studied the new metagame more and shored up their flaws. Their most recent series against iG is quite indicative, as DK pretty much bested iG from minute zero with smart drafts and superb decision making.



Kpoptosis: The biggest winners of the annual post-TI shuffle, DK assembled a star-studded squad of distinguished, flashy, and lovable players under their banner. They have so far managed to avoid the common pitfalls that occur when too many big heads occupy the same room and have surged to hold the best start of any Eastern team this season, with a record of 26 - 7.



shostakovich: If we were talking on 6.78 terms, DK would be in the top of this PR. However, they're slower than iG to adapt to the new version. For a moment I thought to place them as the 2nd strongest team in the East right now, but then they crushed iG and gave evidence that they continue to improve as a team. I expect that they'll get even stronger as DK plays at international events. The duels against western teams will add a lot to this already juggernaut of a team.







2. Invictus Gaming





Kupon3ss: Despite being consistently overshadowed by DK, iG remains a world class team and the second best team in Asia. Hao and Banana have been welcome additions to the team and the overall dynamic of the team has improved after the morale and cohesion problems of TI3. Overall, iG appears to be of the Na'Vi of the East; a team of proven champions with a style that relies on aggression occasionally let down by excessive over-extension.



flamewheel: Invictus Gaming adapted to 6.79 very quickly, and the results show. They're ranked second in WPC ACE after Team DK, and have had pretty convincing results overall. Recently they've faltered a bit, dropping two series to DK and VG, but both of those teams are very good. Hao and Banana still seem to be adjusting to iG, but they're fitting in well. Hao may still go too ham every once in a while, but if he didn't play too aggressively, he wouldn't be Hao.



Kpoptosis: Another Eastern team that has taken quite well to their new additions, iG has performed extremely well in both WPC-ACE and the Eastern portion of the D2L, poised to make a run for the top spot in both.







3. Vici Gaming





Kupon3ss: This current incarnation of VG combines the old DK veterans, a talented support pair, and a new addition of a "mini-BurNIng". Of the 3 teams in the 2nd tier of Asian teams, VG probably has the most room to grow after its lineup adjustment as Fy and Fenrir matures. VG's 7-1 record in 6.79, including a 1-1 draw against DK, showcases a powerhouse whose rise onto the world stage is only a matter of time.



flamewheel: With the acquisition of Sylar, VG is on the verge of becoming a really strong team. They surely have the talent, but only time will tell where they'll head from now on.



Kpoptosis: Another team on a tear this patch, VG is 7-1 on this current iteration on Dota. With their recent acquisition on Sylar, they are in a fantastic position to dismount the perennial Eastern giants of the scene.







4. LGD.cn





Kupon3ss: The most stable team in China seems to have gotten a slight boost in this version with its emphasis on pushing and team fights as opposed to the split-pushing that was the team's Achilles' heel. With draws against DK and TongFu in their last 2 major matches in WPC, the team definitely seems strong, but perhaps lacks a bit of the flair that points to more potential growth from VG.



flamewheel: LGD certainly has rebounded from its poor showing in TI3. With Sylar now replaced by Xiaotuji (which is still a much better name than Rabbit), LGD has been able to battle pretty much evenly against the other Chinese superstars. They're still testing things out here and there and haven't adapted as quickly as other teams such as iG. The real challenge for LGD is and will be Xiaotuji's integration into the team. He's a promising young carry, so I hope he'll fit in well. As of right now though, sometimes he seems to be on a different wavelength from the other four.



Kpoptosis: Xiaotuji has been on an absolute tear so far this season, killing 6.9 and dying only 2.3 times per match, tied with Loda for the least amount of deaths for the new season. The rest of his team has been no slouch either, leading them to an outstanding record of 35-15 this season and 12-2 on patch 6.79.







5. TongFu



Kupon3ss: TongFu is in a rather strange state of limbo at the moment. The team managed to beat DK in the inaugural match of 6.79 in China, but has since come up slightly short in each of its showings against the top 4 teams. With a series of 1-2 losses in the D2L Eastern division while only playing "as expected" in the WPC against inferior teams they seem between worlds. With VG, LGD.cn and TongFu so close together, I feel the overall age and that feeling of "lethargy" on TongFu means it's perhaps closer to its optimal condition than the other 2 teams.



flamewheel: I don't really know what to expect from TongFu at times. In some games, Zhou shows that he's really studied this new version and can hit 900 GPM/XPM. And in others, he feeds mercilessly. The same oscillating behavior can be ascribed to the other TongFu members. Mu is brilliant but unpredictable, and ZSMJ feels like he's either making game-changing impact (see his good Earthshaker or Chen games) or is utterly useless. The team needs to develop some consistency if it hopes to climb higher in the rankings.



Kpoptosis: TongFu has struggled a bit to find their stride with their new lineup, looking solid in some matchups and just plain sloppy in others. Despite this, they're the only team aside from iG to take a series off of DK this season so the talent is certainly there.







Close But No Cigar









Kupon3ss: LGD.int hovered upon the edge of relegation and obscurity after a slew of mediocre performances. Thing do appear to be looking up in the last weeks as they are finally showing us a flash of the infinite potential of the squad, the 2-0 victory over iG brought them into the middle of the pack in WPC and in decent position to make the post-season. The team appears significantly more comfortable and confident after a period of molding and may well surprise us in much the same way the last LGD.int did nearly a year ago.



flamewheel: The new squad on paper is good, and sometimes they win hard. And then sometimes they just lose. The team synergy doesn't seem to be there, which is sad since the players are so individually skilled. Thankfully, this squad is extremely young, so said individual skill will be a good framework upon which teamwork can be forged.



Individual Ranks Kipsate Kupon3ss flamewheel shostakovich Kpoptosis









European/North American Power Rank







1. Alliance



Kupon3ss: Following their triumph at the International, Alliance's play has remained consistent in its domination with an almost 80% winrate. Despite faltering to Na'Vi in a close series at the StarLadder Finals, the team remains the favorite in every tournament in which they partake. While some have worried that 6.79's changes could directly affect their style of choice, the team has shown no signs of slowing down, going 8-1 since the patch with EGM showing himself perfectly capable of playing a 4th core should the need arise.



flamewheel: The TI3 winners continue their streak of domination. While the Swedish team did lose to Na`Vi in SL7 finals even with a 1 game advantage, they've otherwise been quite very solid. As the scene stands right now, were MLG Columbus to be held tomorrow I'd put my esports dollars on Alliance.



Kpoptosis: The Reigning World Champs may have had some quick post-TI blues, but they've put that behind them and have rallied to have the best record of any top tier team in the '13-'14 season, taking 2nd place in StarLadder 7, clinching a spot in the Grand Finals of WePlay 2, and currently sitting atop the standings at 4-0 in the Dota 2 Champions League.







2. Natus Vincere



Kupon3ss: The only western team to rival Alliance triumphed at a home crowd in the only major LAN since the International and has maintained its lineup and style. In comparison, however, Na'Vi slightly loses out due to their most chaotic style leading to more room for error - including a defeat in their most recent meeting against [A] and instability against some of the 2nd tier Western teams.



flamewheel: Natus Vincere has always been a fun team to watch, and I really like how they've adapted to this patch. These guys can beat anybody on a good day, and I'm not just saying that. Na`Vi cleanly beat Alliance to take the StarLadder trophy, and that was before 6.79 was released. Now with 6.79 active, both Puppey and Kuroky have expanded their hero pools, making Na`Vi's drafts even more versatile.



+ Show Spoiler + Obligatory Dendi Pudge Blink Dagger comment.



Kpoptosis: Despite various rumors of roster changes post-TI3, Na'Vi decided to stick with their current roster and the decision seems to have paid dividends. In the early '13-'14 season they took down Alliance to win StarLadder 7 and are poised to finish strong in all the tournaments they're currently participating in.



: The only western team to rival Alliance triumphed at a home crowd in the only major LAN since the International and has maintained its lineup and style. In comparison, however, Na'Vi slightly loses out due to their most chaotic style leading to more room for error - including a defeat in their most recent meeting against [A] and instability against some of the 2nd tier Western teams.Natus Vincere has always been a fun team to watch, and I really like how they've adapted to this patch. These guys can beat anybody on a good day, and I'm not just saying that. Na`Vi cleanly beat Alliance to take the StarLadder trophy, and that was before 6.79 was released. Now with 6.79 active, both Puppey and Kuroky have expanded their hero pools, making Na`Vi's drafts even more versatile.Despite various rumors of roster changes post-TI3, Na'Vi decided to stick with their current roster and the decision seems to have paid dividends. In the early '13-'14 season they took down Alliance to win StarLadder 7 and are poised to finish strong in all the tournaments they're currently participating in.



3. Speed Gaming



Kupon3ss: Perhaps the least stable and most entertaining team in the world. On good days, EE-sama and his boys can 2-0 Alliance while EE-baka and Co can often look completely clueless on their off-days. Regardless, the concentration of talent is undeniable with 6.79, increased experience, and upcoming LAN travails all bode well for the team's growth into something that can consistently perform at the highest level.



flamewheel: The choice for third place is an extremely close race between Liquid and Speed. Both teams have clearly demonstrated individual skill as well as team coordination. The competition they've played has been similar, with good showings against the big dogs for the most part. And yes, both teams have dropped games/matches to teams they should have beaten. Liquid failed to beat Fnatic in Nexon while Speed played poorly against Mouz (well, at least in the less recent match).



So as with any decision not easily made, we come down to tiebreakers. Speed Gaming edges out Liquid for the bronze due to their most recent meeting, where Speed bested Liquid 2:1.



Kpoptosis: The team formerly known as Kaipi has been extremely active so far this season, playing in 79 matches (more than any other team) and performing admirably with a record of 52 - 27 overall. They still lack some consistency when playing top-tier opponents but their potential for executing exciting upsets and crazy strategies is almost boundless.







4. Liquid



flamewheel: Liquid is a strong team with a ton of talent and the potential to go far. However, it's still a young team and still has to gain more experience in high-stake matches. For the past month, I'd characterize Liquid's play as "great, but not great enough." In two series versus Alliance and Speed Gaming, Liquid won the first game with solid drafts and execution. Then promptly afterwards, games 2 and 3 were lost.



I'm not trying to detract too much from Liquid's performance. Personally, I think that Liquid, like Na`Vi, can beat anybody. The new squad is dedicated and works well together, so with more experience under their respective belts the players can accomplish greater things.



Kpoptosis: Despite a bit of a rocky showing as of late, losing 2 games in Korea to a Fnatic squad that has struggled to start this season, Liquid has been one of the few teams to show they can go toe-to-toe with Na'Vi and Alliance, winning 2 out of 3 series against the former in the last several weeks.



shostakovich: In my view, right now Liquid is close to tied with Empire and Speed Gaming. The team has dominant players and performs really well on online leagues, and will have plenty of opportunity to perform offline as well. It is this bigger mileage possessed by the team that will win this three-way tie in their favor. However, their loss to Fnatic shows that they still have room to improve, and BuLba needs to be more comfortable with less active, more carry-ish solo mid heroes instead of his favorite high-octane heroes.







5. Team Empire



Kupon3ss: Empire has been consistently underestimated and snubbed in the form of coverage and invites since their reformation after TI3 despite their obvious skill. The team has given Na'Vi several close runs for their money and have matched up quite well against the other top Western Teams. A danger to every team and a solid and innovative competitor in 6.79, Empire appears to be here to stay.



flamewheel: I like this reformed Empire. The team members are still getting to know one another, and their synergy and performance can only improve over time. Yet this Empire currently falls short of challenging the top dogs, losing to Empire, Speed, and Liquid in relatively convincing fashion. Unfortunately, Empire won't be able to prove themselves as much compared to those ranked above them since they aren't invited to as many tournaments.



Kpoptosis: The second-most active team of the new season with 78 matches players, Empire has surprised many a Dota fan with their performance, beating then-Kaipi to take the Eizo Cup #8, placing 3rd in StarLadder 7, and taking 4th in WePlay 2. Silent in particular has really came into his own in the Carry role, averaging a GPM of 544 and 6.5 kills per game this season.







Close But No Cigar









Kupon3ss: Performing surprisingly well at TI3, Fnatic dropped off the map of the Earth shortly afterwards due to an extended vacation involving multiple overseas trips. The team's only united showing has been a good one as it breezed through their games in the Nexon Invitational League. With the same long standing roster and the more active patch shifting the game closer to the team's HoN roots, Fnatic is poised to come back in force.





Individual Ranks Kipsate Kupon3ss flamewheel shostakovich Kpoptosis



With the post-International shuffles now completed for several weeks, each team has had a month with several regularly running leagues to test the merit of their latest squads. We're back with another Power Rank to go in line with the regular Fall Dota Season In both regions we saw two clear choices for first and second, with the competition for spots 3-5 extremely tight and closer than normal. In the end our experts Kipsate, Kupon3ss, flamewheel, shostakovich, and Kpoptosis fleshed out appropriate ranks based on small edges and tiny advances in play through the biggest events currently running.Come one, come all, and enjoy reading and discussing the best teams out there this month.LGD.int hovered upon the edge of relegation and obscurity after a slew of mediocre performances. Thing do appear to be looking up in the last weeks as they are finally showing us a flash of the infinite potential of the squad, the 2-0 victory over iG brought them into the middle of the pack in WPC and in decent position to make the post-season. The team appears significantly more comfortable and confident after a period of molding and may well surprise us in much the same way the last LGD.int did nearly a year ago.The new squad on paper is good, and sometimes they win hard. And then sometimes they just lose. The team synergy doesn't seem to be there, which is sad since the players are so individually skilled. Thankfully, this squad is extremely young, so said individual skill will be a good framework upon which teamwork can be forged.Performing surprisingly well at TI3, Fnatic dropped off the map of the Earth shortly afterwards due to an extended vacation involving multiple overseas trips. The team's only united showing has been a good one as it breezed through their games in the Nexon Invitational League. With the same long standing roster and the more active patch shifting the game closer to the team's HoN roots, Fnatic is poised to come back in force. @RealHeyoka | DreamHack StarCrafty Man