This article is part of our Dota 2 Recap series.
After three days off to rest and prepare for the challenges ahead, the best Dota 2 teams in the world began their clash anew, kicking off the main event of Valve's Boston Major. Relocating from their practice rooms to the main stage of the Wang Theatre, the first eight teams squared off, battling for their tournament lives in the single-elimination bracket for the chance at $1,000,000 and a direct invite to the next Major. Let's take a look at some of the most influential matchups from the day.
Evil Geniuses: The boys are back in town
Evil Geniuses entered the day with their two group stage losses to compLexity looming large over their matchup against Wings Gaming. There was doubt amongst the analysts as to whether or not Evil Geniuses could topple the defending TI6 champions after such a sloppy performance just a few days earlier. Drafting an aggressive pushing lineup, Wings looked to be in control of Game 1. They forced Evil Geniuses onto their own half of the map, nabbing a few pickoffs along the way. Despite Evil Geniuses draft being better suited for the late game, Wings had not an inkling of urgency after being rebuffed. Wings was content just to farm, hoping to force a mistake from Evil Geniuses and then win on a counter play. Despite their best efforts, Wings was unable to capitalize on the one opportunity Evil Geniuses afforded them. Showing once again that they perform best when it's do or die, Evil Geniuses' put Wings on the ropes with a Game 1 win.
With no intention of letting their lead get away from them, Evil Geniuses put the pedal to the floor in Game 2. Taking a page from compLexity's playbook, Evil Geniuses drafted an aggressive hybrid lineup, similar to the one that had vanquished them three days before. Racing out to 20 kills in almost as many minutes, Evil Geniuses were firmly in control of the game from start to finish. Evil Geniuses delivered the type of performance that viewers expected from them all along, knocking Wings out of the tournament on the first day of single-elimination play.
Despite a major victory, Evil Geniuses' path to victory has not gotten any wider. They must now refocus their attention to Friday's opponent, Virtus.pro, defeated Invictus Gaming.Vitality 2-1.
SEA you later compLexity
compLexity entered their first matchup of the main bracket as the favorites, a title they rarely have heard as of late. After being trounced 2-0 by Warriors Gaming.Unity, who was considered by some to be the weakest team in attendance, compLexity showed once again why they are seemingly always labeled the underdogs.
In Game 1, compLexity drafted a lineup similar to the one they had used to defeat Evil Geniuses; it was elusive, it had teamfight synergy and it didn't lack for pushing power. Warriors Gaming.Unity were unphased, drafting heroes who could deal damage in large areas, could disrupt compLexity's movements and could diminish the high physical damage output of compLexity's core heroes. Intent on forcing their style of play upon the game, compLexity prioritized early pickoffs and five-man teamfights revolving around objectives. Their strategy proved ineffective as they were gutted by Kam "NaNa" boon Seng's Timbersaw. Able to chase down compLexity's heroes that tried to slip away from fights and deal massive burst damage, NaNa was compLexity's kryptonite, thwarting them at every turn.
compLexity put up more of a fight in Game 2, drafting a lineup that was potent in all stages of the game and was geared more towards handling direct engagements. While Warriors Gaming.Unity changed their strategy, the core of their lineup did not change. This time it was WG.U's turn to force their style of play upon their opponents. Implementing guerilla-like tactics, they would bait an engagement from one or two of compLexity's heroes and then ambush them with no hope of escape or timely reinforcements. Both teams traded the lead back and forth until a fight in the river gone awry devastated compLexity's last best chance to gain the upper hand. Warriors Gaming. Unity seized their opportunity and never relinquished the lead, delivering compLexity a crushing defeat and a swift exit from the Boston Major.
Warriors Gaming.Unity will look to continue their Cinderella run through the tournament Friday when they face OG, who defeated fellow SEA team MVP.Phoenix 2-0 in the opening day of single-elimination play.
