Nouns might cheese their way victory against Azure Ray

Nouns defeated Tundra Esports, the Worldwide defending champions in a clear 2-0 sweep throughout the group stage’s Section Two. That finally led to Tundra getting a foul begin into the TI12 Playoffs’ Decrease Bracket, the place they’re on the brim of elimination.

Now they meet China’s star studded tremendous group (Azure Ray) within the Higher Bracket. Can Nouns upset the bracket as soon as once more and safe a historic High 6 end?

TI12 Higher Bracket Playoffs Match Preview: nouns vs Azure Ray

Nouns vs Azure Ray

With Tundra out of the image, nouns’ subsequent opponent is none apart from Azure Ray, the Chinese language all-star squad. Frankly, nouns remains to be the underdog on this match, contemplating the final notion on the everyday NA group is underwhelming. Proper after nouns’ victory, the official web page got here out to “introduce” themselves.

Questioning how a group you’ve by no means heard of is within the #TI12 higher bracket?

That is our story ⌐◨-◨pic.twitter.com/Ju8hUqFIAw

— Nouns Esports ⌐◨-◨ (@nounsesports) October 16, 2023

To which, essentially the most cheap response to that might be that we all the time knew who the blokes in nouns have been, however we didn’t count on them to be this good.

As for Azure Ray, the previous remnants of TI8 PSG.LGD is arguably essentially the most becoming title to refer the gamers. Lu “Somnus” Yao, Yang “Chalice” Shenyi and Xu “fy” Linsen have been family names throughout their prime TI8-TI9 tenure, so it’s cheap that many followers nonetheless maintain Azure in excessive regard.

Learn additionally: The International 2023 Playoffs Predictions: Matchup Analysis

Nouns TI12 Hero Picks and Cheesing the Meta

Now then, if there’s something for nouns to name residence about, it’s their drafts and good use of the present meta. Their Chaos Knight choose, performed by Héctor “K1” Rodríguez, is the highlight within the decisive sport 2 versus Tundra. CK isn’t closely contested, a lot thanks to raised carry choices in TI12, corresponding to Spectre and Morphling.

Nevertheless, all of it synergizes effectively with an unlikely ally, Ogre Magi. The combo resolves round Ogre utilizing Bloodlust on CK and his illusions, making it not only a highly effective risk to heroes, but additionally for sieging buildings. As much as this extent, it wasn’t sufficient to deliver down Tundra, so this combo is additional amplified with Brewmaster.

Brewmaster is a heavily-contested hero, being banned greater than it’s ever picked for good causes. Nevertheless, nouns leveraged on Ogre’s similar buff for Brewmaster’s Spirit Pandas. These summons deal first rate harm, particularly throughout Ogre’s assault velocity buff. Contemplating that is fairly a damaged draft, Azure Ray shall be silly to let nouns re-enact this draft of their match. Maybe banning Brewmaster, as he’s already among the many most banned heroes in TI12.

K1 the farmer

Héctor “K1” Rodríguez

Regardless of that, nouns can nonetheless depend on K1 to win the sport. K1 is a tough carry participant who can actually take advantage of out of AFK farming. Given sufficient area, any laborious carry choose in K1’s arms will certainly be monstrous.

That is additionally doable because of the remainder of nouns, who perceive their task. Taking part in 4v5 throughout the whole midgame length lets K1 attain his peak with out compromising his time by sticking with the group.

That is far cry from what beastcoast had K1’s function throughout his tenure in his former group. As most SA groups revolved round early initiatives by group fights and influence, the NA squad performed round letting K1 farm as a substitute.

Different Cheese Picks in TI12

When it comes to cheese picks, there aren’t many, contemplating these are sometimes first bans to start with. In spite of everything, there aren’t any typical respect bans that the 2 groups must sacrifice on any participant. Nonetheless, heroes that contribute to AOE-based group battle harm appear to be the cheese picks of TI12. Heroes, corresponding to Kunkka’s Torrent Storm ability, Earth Spirit, Primal Beast, Spirit Breaker and Brewmaster match the outline.

Azure Ray’s early actions

Though not as chaotic as SA playstyles, China shares the same goal behind their playstyle. Early rotations with midgame-effective heroes is what put Azure Ray within the forefront to overwhelm opponents earlier than the sport will get out of hand.

We see Somnus mess around skill-based mid-heroes that may contribute successfully in fights. Alongside have been heroes which have multiple initiation methodology to leap the unsuspecting opponents, corresponding to Clockwerk. As such, it may very well be a rat race for Azure Ray to return out on prime of fights whereas maintaining tabs on K1’s farming.

Who will win between nouns and Azure Ray?

It’s not usually we see a NA group performing this effectively into the TI Playoffs, so we’ve to go along with nouns for the win. Their unorthodox drafts make them a extra thrilling group to root for, whereas we get tenacity from Azure Ray’s playstyle.

Frankly, tenacity in a comparatively new Dota 2 update will certainly hit a roadblock if they will’t shock their opponents anymore. If nouns really win this higher bracket quarterfinal spherical, they may safe a assured top-six end at TI12, an achievement that no NA group has reached since Evil Geniuses received TI5.