Team Profile: Newbee at The International 8
The International 8 is just around the corner, and one team to watch out for is Newbee. In this article, we will take a closer look at their journey and what challenges they face in the tournament.
Old wounds and phantom pains
Valve’s documentary series, True Sight, highlighted the heartbreak experienced by Newbee after their defeat in The International 7 grand finals. The pain was evident on their faces, especially Sccc, as they fought hard from the lower bracket. This set the stage for their journey of vengeance in the Dota 2 Pro Circuit season.
Casting away their pride
Unlike other teams that disband or make roster changes after reaching the grand finals, Newbee decided to stick together and learn from their mistakes. They achieved success by winning the Perfect World Masters and ESL One Genting, earning them two gold medals.
On their way
Newbee’s performance in the Pro Circuit was inconsistent, but they still secured a direct invite to TI8. Their progress in the preliminaries will depend on the competitiveness of their group, but they have the potential to reach the winners’ bracket.
However, if they are grouped with top teams like VP, Liquid, or PSG-LGD, they will face a tougher challenge. Newbee’s stubbornness and difficulty in adapting to the metagame could make them vulnerable in the sudden death losers’ bracket rounds.
Player to watch: Hu “Kaka” Liangzhi
Kaka is known for his impressive plays as Earth Spirit, often saving his teammates and turning teamfights in their favor. He also excels at playing other supports like Naga Siren and Sand King, making him a valuable asset to Newbee.
Biggest challenge
Newbee’s inconsistency throughout the Pro Circuit season is a major concern. They tend to play it safe, causing them to stagnate in the mid and late game. To overcome this, they need to find their place in the current metagame and take more risks in their strategy.
Team grade
We give Newbee a B for this year’s tournament. While they showed their skill in reaching the grand finals last year, their instability this season raises concerns about their performance.
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