TI 13 grand final: Liquid finally claims the Aegis of Champions

Games Editor

Last Updated on 09/15/2024

The TI 13 grand final was a stomp, and not in the direction many fans expected.

Team Liquid and Gaimin Gladiators have the strongest rivalry in all of Dota 2 esports. The two squads faced off eight times in 2024 before The International with a total match score of 4-4. In 2023, the two squaring off in grand finals ending in Gaimin’s favor quickly became a meme. Now, Liquid has flipped the script in the most important series of the year.

Here’s how Team Liquid conquered its demon to walk away from the TI 13 grand final as a champion.

Liquid judo flipped game one of TI 13 grand final

The draft for game one of the TI 13 grand final started with Liquid forcing Nature’s Prophet, a flex hero the squad was 2-0 with. Liquid coach William “Blitz” Lee doubled down on the push with Visage and GG’s mastermind Aske “Cy-” Larsen responded with Chen and Batrider. Liquid finally gave up the ghost with a Puck for Michał “Nisha” Jankowski, an undefeated combo. Gaimin’s answer was mid Riki for Quinn Callahan.

That unorthodox draft choice dominated the early game, as several team fights centered around the middle lane. GG’s mid Riki and offlane Underlord topped the net worth chart at 15 minutes after taking the first tier two tower.

However, Liquid suddenly woke up, as a series of pickoffs ended with a triumphant team fight in the bot lane. A triple kill for Michael “miCKe” Vu’s carry NP evened the net worth. In a supreme display of Dota 2 judo, Liquid turned GG’s snowball into its own.

Now with an Aegis of the Immortal on miCKe, Liquid charged down top lane and caught Quinn’s Riki out with Dream Coil. Liquid’s Visage and NP push forced the fight, ending decisively in its favor. After a few death throes from the Gladiators, Liquid earned the first game of the TI 13 grand final in decisive fashion.

TI 13 grand final game 1 leaderboard

GG can’t hack against the Bristleback

For game two, Gaimin Gladiators adjusted with a ban for Visage and snap-locking Naga Siren. Liquid ran back the Nature’s Prophet with Tusk and Bristleback for the front lines. After a deny-pick Puck for Quinn, the draft settled with carry Dragon Knight for GG and mid Tiny for Liquid.

The lanes were even, but balanced on a razor’s edge. First blood finally fell on Anton “dyrachyo” Shkredov at six minutes after a a gank from Samuel “Boxi” Svahn’s Tusk. That broke the ice, and the total kill count quadrupled two minutes later. By the end of the landing stage, GG held a slim 1,000 gold advantage. A narrow escape from Quinn punctuated the early game.

Just like in game one, Liquid came alive in the early midgame. GG bid its outer towers goodbye as Neta “33” Shapira’s Bristleback hit a monstrous Scepter timing with Sange and Yasha soon to follow. Liquid followed its checklist to a tee, taking the offlane tier two and tormentor before turning toward high ground.

33 Team Liquid

After ceding bottom barracks, Liquid claimed Roshan and charged top. However, the stall tactic worked out for Gaimin Gladiators, as dyrachyo’s surprise Silver Edge put the fear of god in 33’s Bristle. Liquid was not deterred, and saucy Snowball saves from Boxi would negate the break in future fights.

In an unpredictable play for the TI 13 grand final, miCKe chose to rat GG’s top barracks during a team fight. He died in the process, but Liquid’s ability to hold ground without its carry foreshadowed imminent victory.

A much more straightforward siege spearheaded by 33 was the first nail in the coffin. Though Liquid ultimately retreated to wait for the next aegis. The two squads clashed in front of the pit just before respawn, and after a swift and brutal Rosh, Liquid sealed GG’s tomb. 33’s Bristle was an unstoppable force, and GG failed to offer an immovable object.

Game three marked match point for Team Liquid

After some harsh words from Blitz, Team Liquid began the third draft of the TI 13 grand final with yet another snap Nature’s Prophet followed by Clockwerk and Visage. GG claimed Marci and Windranger, keeping its lanes flexible. The draft settled with the mid matchup of Puck for Nisha and, as is tradition, Pangolier for Quinn.

Both safe lanes had to play conservatively as 33 and Marcus “Ace” Christensen took turns bullying the opposing carry. The tight mid battle ended with ultimate as Nisha scored an effective solo kill on Quinn’s Pango. Despite that reprieve, GG’s dynamic lanes earned the advantage after the lanes.

Liquid’s signature early midgame pop-off started with a four-for-zero fight that secured the mid tier one. miCKe’s farm advantage over dyrachyo continued to grow with GG unable to put up a fight. A 15-minute Crimson Guard on 33’s Visage widened the damage gap even further. A bad Rolling THunder from Quinn led into a beautiful team fight execution from Liquid.

At 20 minutes, Liquid stood 12,000 gold ahead with more than double GG’s kills. Despite the odds, Gaimin took a fight near its tormentor that earned both the free Aghanim’s Shard and three kills. However, Liquid fired back with Roshan and an extended team fight. The boys in blue claimed top barracks in the middle of the battle, which ended more even than the initiation would suggest.

GG’s dream of a TI 13 grand final comeback began to look real after key pickoffs on miCKe’s Prophet and Nisha’s Puck. Yet despite catching miCKe’s risky teleport, a clutch Black King Bar pop reversed the fight. The game engine predicted a 94% chance for Liquid to win as Gaimin’s mid barracks bit the dust.

One more charge into the base led to an extended team fight. Between the buybacks and ultimates, miCKe claimed mega creeps and rushed the ancient to seal the deal. GG was called, and Liquid finally did it.