Team NP: A New Kind of Dota 2 Team
Team NP, founded shortly after The International 6, aimed to be a different kind of Dota 2 team. Led by EternalEnVy, the team initially had a modest approach, wanting to play with friends rather than deal with big-name organizations and sponsors. The original lineup consisted of veterans and newcomers to the game, showcasing a desire to avoid drama and simply enjoy playing Dota 2.
However, that approach eventually changed. After mediocre results, EternalEnVy made changes to the team, bringing in experienced Dota 2 players to replace two members. This new lineup led to immediate success, placing well in prestigious tournaments against tough competition. Team NP secured the first spot in the North American qualifiers, earning a place in The International 7.
A Lineup Inspired by Cloud9
The current Team NP lineup resembles the classic Cloud9 team, but with a few adjustments. The addition of Arif “MSS” Anwar in the offlane brings reliability to the team, although lacking some of the flashiness of the previous member. The team’s strategy focuses on aggressive lineups with potential for late-game fallback. With heroes like Ember Spirit, Queen of Pain, and Puck, Team NP aims to dominate early on and maintain utility throughout the match.
However, this strategy can also lead to questionable decisions in the late game, a characteristic that plagued Cloud9 in the past. In their matchup against TI invitees Newbee, Team NP missed some game-closing opportunities, resulting in a 1-3 defeat. Nevertheless, Team NP remains an exciting team to watch at The International 7.
Player to Watch: Arif “MSS” Anwar
MSS has faced criticism in the past, but his perseverance in Dota 2 is inspiring. While he hasn’t yet won a LAN tournament, his participation in The International is a significant achievement. The Dota 2 community has embraced the meme of “every Arteezy has an MSS,” but his performance in this tournament might change the narrative.
Biggest Challenge: Communication
One potential challenge for Team NP is their relatively short period of competing together. Unlike teams like Evil Geniuses and OG, who have been together for a longer time, Team NP needs to ensure their communication reaches an elite level. To compete with the best in the world, the team’s communication needs to be exceptional to achieve success in The International 7.
Our Rating: B
Team NP’s performance has been promising, with a second-place finish at the Manila Masters. While their lineup is talented, their synergy may not be as strong due to their limited time together. It’s difficult to make definitive statements about their potential success, but Team NP is certainly not a pushover and could make a deep run in the tournament.
Team NP, Dota 2, The International 7, lineup, success, tournament, Cloud9, aggressive, late-game, communication, promising.