Team Spirit, the reigning champions of Dota 2’s The International 2023, have been on an unprecedented winning streak, leaving their opponents in awe. Dota 2 analyst Pain has delved into their exceptional performance, revealing the secrets behind their domination.
A Clear Strategy from the Start
Team Spirit’s success begins at the picking stage, where they enter with a well-defined strategy, regardless of having the last pick in the draft. Their main focus is to give Yatoro an advantageous matchup, strategically reserving the final pick for his hero. Other teams have attempted to counter this by banning his options, but Yatoro’s flexibility has rendered these bans ineffective.
Expanding Hero Pool and Understanding the Meta
Miposhka, in an interview with Dot Esports, attributed Team Spirit’s late-season revival to their limited hero pool. After the gameplay patch 7.34 in summer 2023, the team caught up with the competition by expanding their hero pool. This allowed them to better adapt to the meta and led to their victories in Riyadh Masters 2023 and DreamLeague S21, earning them over $5.3 million in prize money.
Flexibility and Sacrifice
Team Spirit’s success is not solely due to their diverse hero pool. Their extended flexibility and deep understanding of the current meta have also played a crucial role. They prioritize having a strong late-game carry and rally around Yatoro, creating space for him to farm and outpace the enemy heroes. This sacrificial approach also extends to mid-player Larl, who sometimes sacrifices his own farm to ensure Yatoro’s safety. However, Larl has adapted to this strategy and has become one of the team’s strongest pillars.
Strategic Awareness
Team Spirit demonstrates a keen understanding of their position in matches. They avoid forcing fights when they are clearly trailing behind and instead focus on playing to their strengths. They tailor their strategies based on their needs at any given time, increasing their chances of victory.
Aiming for Greatness
As TI 2023 returns for its main event on Oct. 20, Team Spirit will face their regional rivals Virtus.pro. Their goal is to match OG’s two-time record and secure another Aegis, solidifying their place among the greatest teams in Dota 2 history.
Source: DOTESPORTS
