2009: TI2 top 5 could have 3 Chinese teams

posted by Jaywalker, 335 days ago

Sheng '2009' Wu is a former professional player who achieved great results with

EHOME and

LGD during his playing career. Now a respected caster, 2009 has been invited as a Chinese commentator for this year's The International, bringing the action live to Chinese viewers. In an interview with SGamer, he talks about casting in Seattle, Dota 2 in China, and his thoughts on the competitive scene.'

joinDOTA brings you translations of the questions that are relevant to Dota 2 below.

This time [The International 2012] the male commentators are DC, 820, 2009 and HaiTao, whilst the female commentators are Miss and Snowkiss. This crew is very strong, and all players are very excited. Inviting six Chinese commentators proves that IceFrog and Valve have great emphasis on China. What are your thoughts on the commentary crew?

It is possible that I could be teamed up with DC and Miss, whilst 820, Haitao and Snowkiss are a team. I am very happy that IceFrog is accommodating towards the passion that Chinese fans have and is putting together such a great commentary crew. Lately I have been watching DC's casting for ACE League, and my professional career in fact began through the words of DC. After countless championships, our friendship has progressed a lot. Many say that co-casting with DC is a challenge; I would like to accept this challenge.

Apart from uploading new DotA videos, are you spending more effort and energy towards Dota 2 now?

Recently I have been obsessed with ACE League, and also following Dota 2 competitions. I just recorded a commentary I did between LGD and Zenith, and hopefully this year's $1.5 million belongs to us!

You recently cast the match between World Elite and Invasion.Red for the IGMM Asia tournament. How has this first Dota 2 cast been for you? To put it simply, what are your impressions and observations of Dota 2?

The first impression was that having the ability to look at Gold and Experience advantages, including the movement of couriers are all very 'humane' changes. I have previously mentioned this before, it is really useful and easy. Apart from that, one of the shortcomings of my cast is on the team fight intricacies, as I do have trouble reacting to skills animations. I believe I will be able to cast at my best ability in Seattle.

Casting now is a warm up for The International, so how do you plan to prepare for casting at TI2?

Watching the best Dota 2 games, finding players to play public games, discussing strategies and different perspectives with top professional teams, and keep trying to create better commentaries.

Although WE managed to advance [in IGMM Asia] 2:1, they lost their first game after gaining a huge gold advantage, and their opponent was not a strong team as well. What is your evaluation of WE's performances, strengths and weaknesses?

WE's strengths is that in early game through the laning of Chan and Fnty, Luo's roaming and understanding of the team WE can establish an early lead. The weakness is that mid-late game there is no clear objective.

WE was not able to win the wildcard slot for the East, but there is a backup team up for grabs, and rumor has it that WE and AEON are fighting for it. What is the current progress?

There is hope that WE will be the second back up team, and if there are no visa issues WE could attend the event.

This year's The International hosts 16 top teams in Dota 2, which team do you favor? What about the performances of Chinese teams?

3 Chinese teams could occupy top 5; the foreign teams that could do well are Zenith, Na`Vi, Orange, Darer, mTw.

There are people saying that training both DotA and Dota 2 leads to a lack of practice in Dota 2. Furthermore, with new heroes ported over every week, strategies and hero picks are ever changing. Teams such as Na`Vi and Zenith are known for having various strategies and hero compositions, and they are the toughest opponents for Chinese teams. Regarding training both games, do you feel that it is a problem?

I think it can be conquered. China will never lack ultimate achievers in games, and the attraction of a $1.5 million prize pool explodes the universe of the invited teams. I believe this year's TI2 will ascertain China's DotA dominance!

There is no question that Dota 2 will be a classic game. But with various issues, Dota 2's popularity in China still faces several obstacles. How do you think Dota 2 will progress in China?

I hate to admit this, but objectively speaking I think LoL players will outnumber Dota 2 players.

Sources: SGamer

locorocko wrote at 19.07.2012, 19:40 CEST:

1st my cookie pls ?

-boogie11- wrote at 19.07.2012, 19:41 CEST:

second?

Pwned_Joo wrote at 19.07.2012, 19:45 CEST:

"I hate to admit this, but objectively speaking I think LoL players will outnumber Dota 2 players."

Lol'd

durkadurka wrote at 19.07.2012, 19:46 CEST:

>You casted the match

past participle of cast is cast

GG_Dota2 wrote at 19.07.2012, 19:48 CEST:

Great interview
love 2009
he is the best!!!

but that part about LoL players exceeding dota 2 players
we'll see,
dota will always have China on their side

el_kosh wrote at 19.07.2012, 19:50 CEST:

3 chinese + navi+ zenith thats what we all are saying since alwaysssszzZzZZ nothing new here

soiberi1 wrote at 19.07.2012, 19:57 CEST:

WOW 2009 .Now i see him

733 wrote at 19.07.2012, 19:59 CEST:

2009 the mastermind.

Jaywalker wrote at 19.07.2012, 20:05 CEST:

#4 Thanks Durka. I readed your comment and made the changes.

#10

uLaF wrote at 19.07.2012, 20:19 CEST:

for an mastermind not so smart

#11

SuperMorten wrote at 19.07.2012, 20:30 CEST:

Why did he say this: I hate to admit this, but objectively speaking I think LoL players will outnumber Dota 2 players.?

That sentece didn't have anything in common to the question. :P

#12

Jocario wrote at 19.07.2012, 20:48 CEST:

i dont get it, what other team other than ehome can compete with EU Teams? Oo chineses talking proud but lets see.

#13

ultrapwnage wrote at 19.07.2012, 20:51 CEST:

Jocario schrieb:
i dont get it, what other team other than ehome can compete with EU Teams? Oo chineses talking proud but lets see.

no clue at all.
Ehome is the weakest team of the chinese atm

#14

8ball_bg wrote at 19.07.2012, 20:54 CEST:

Well, ofcourse DotA is still a lot bigger in China, but if they can't run Dota2 they will be forced to go to LoL

#15

Insatiable wrote at 19.07.2012, 21:01 CEST:

3 Chinese teams could occupy top 5; the foreign teams that could do well are Zenith, Na`Vi, Orange, >>Darer<<, mTw.
HAHAHAHA
BEST
JOKE
EVER

#16

Demitryus wrote at 19.07.2012, 21:31 CEST:

why Darer? They cant even stop mouz and m5!

#17

el_alcazar wrote at 19.07.2012, 21:50 CEST:

srsly Darer?

#18

XCoyote wrote at 19.07.2012, 21:50 CEST:

Demitryus schrieb:
why Darer? They cant even stop mouz and m5!

seriously dont underestimate darer!!

#19

JonhyBot wrote at 19.07.2012, 22:00 CEST:

Imo, not 3, but 2 Chinese teams in top 5. I believe Na'Vi and Zenith to be top 2 (no particular order). Also Darer, M5 Orange, CLG and mTw strong contenders (EG can be a nice surprise but i have no expectations about them). And please!...don't underestimate the americans.
Good interview.

#20

megadeth00 wrote at 19.07.2012, 22:06 CEST:

Ehome won against Col.
IG won against Mouz
So, 3 Chinese team top 5 might be viable.

#21

lpman wrote at 19.07.2012, 22:21 CEST:

dont know whos dis guy :D

#22

el_kosh wrote at 19.07.2012, 23:49 CEST:

c'mon guys clg mtw darer and m5 has no chances at all, same for mufc and aL from sea..

the top list can't be other than 5 chinese + navi + zenith + orange that's it... thats qurter finals if 3 of them are not in the same group

#23

dcbm14 wrote at 19.07.2012, 23:58 CEST:

ultrapwnage schrieb:

Jocario schrieb:
i dont get it, what other team other than ehome can compete with EU Teams? Oo chineses talking proud but lets see.

no clue at all.
Ehome is the weakest team of the chinese atm

lol, ya typical ehome was second place in last TI, they must be the best chinese team atm right?

#24

RealTalkerrr wrote at 20.07.2012, 02:31 CEST:

8ball_bg schrieb:
Well, ofcourse DotA is still a lot bigger in China, but if they can't run Dota2 they will be forced to go to LoL

You sirs, are not watching Chinese matches.

#25

AirHogs wrote at 20.07.2012, 04:58 CEST:

I will be rooting against the Chinese all the way! I'm really rooting for the long shot teams EG, mTw, and M5 all though I realize they probably don't stand a chance of making it to the finals. I will root for Na'Vi if it comes down to them vs an Asian team, and I will root for Zenith if its them vs a Chinese team as well. I was quite surprised by EHOME's systematic split push dismantling of COL & I hope it serves as a wake up for COL to bring their A-game and not pick stupid heroes like Sven. I just wish my favorite players would stop doing messing around doing stupid shit while they are streaming most of the time and prepare in earnest 24/7 for this tournament. I know that's what the Chinese are doing right now, and I don't get that feeling from a lot of the North American & European teams. People need to realize they have to suffer for this game in order to win!