There are always interesting shows at The International 9 DOTA 2. So far, the group stage has held 40 matches and 90 heroes have been used, out of a total pool of 115 hero choices.
But there was something interesting on the second day of the search for group A and group B leaders. One of the participating teams displayed an extraordinary strategy. OG, the TI champion last year used IO in their draft. Actually, there is nothing strange, because IO is indeed one of the most wanted heroes in the tournament because the supporting skills are very good.
But OG has another perspective, and they use this round luminous hero (Ana uses the Arcana set that makes its body box) into a carry. How come?! It is unlikely that anyone would dare to execute this, especially in tournaments as important as The International 9. But in fact not for OG!
The team that is famous for its nasty chat wheel is indeed fronted by high-tech players and geniuses. Ana herself proved it by getting the most kills (11 kills) compared to the opponent’s carry, Slark who only got 5. He also outperformed his colleague Topson with 19,700 total gold.
Io or Wisp are not just any hero. In fact, this hero is classified as weak even though it is categorized as STR hero. Usually chosen precisely to strengthen other heroes such as carry who need attack speed and sustain. Gyrocopter, Medusa, Ursa, Tiny, and Sven are some of its flagship partners.
Because the effects created for friends are so overpowered, IO is also bombarded with nerf whenever there is an update opportunity. Starting from relocate cooldown which is always added so that the potential for gank decreases, damage reduction is reduced, including heal, even the main nuke effect Spirits, which no longer gives a slow effect.
But Ana saw the true potential of IO lies in its talent. The slow removed is now located in the talent and Ana takes the skill. Along with talent spirits damage and armor, the greatest strength is talent at level 25. If IO conduct a tether to a friend, it will automatically launch a continuous shot that even tower 4 with backdoor protection can be easily penetrated.
OG’s action with IO will soon be widely imitated by pubs players. But it’s good for those of you who have never played IO and don’t know how this hero works, it’s better not to try it if you don’t want to be berated by friends.
OG itself does not play this strategy smoothly. They survive a lot and farm so Ana can get to level 25 and get the items needed. That is, if the opponent chooses a strategy with fast push capabilities, OG could be uprooted without being able to show its IO potential.
Luckily, the opponent of NiP uses Slark, which also requires farming for a while to become strong on the lane. Fortunately again, what must be faced is Ceb with his iconic hero. So, the longer it takes to farm and to level.
TI9 has shown interesting entertainment for the fans. On the first day, Secret showed the support of Invoker which was played quite effectively by YapzOr. There are also Fnatic who try with a Pudge carry.
