Well-known casters try to predict TI5 Chinese and American qualifiers!

posted by Malystryx.GDS,

If you're still iffy about your Compendium predictions for the TI5 qualifiers or struggling on who to put your rares on then read on! We grabbed Godz, Maut, Capitalist and Blaze and gave them the task of sharing with us who they predict to come out of the TI5 Chinese and American qualifiers unscathed. If you're looking to brush up your knowledge of the two scenes to make a clear decision, this is the guide for you.

Godz

"The two favorites EHOME and HGT should have no issues making it out of their groups. As far as the second place finishers go, TongFu have been the most consistent of the tier 2 Chinese teams, and I'd expect to see them and Energy Pacemaker round off the playoffs.

The playoffs will be decided by HGT vs EHOME, and while ZSMJ's squads have faltered the past two years in TI qualifiers, this looks like the year where that will change with HGT winning the China qualifier."

Groupstage: EHOME, HGT, EP and Tongfu / Playoffs: 1st place HGT, 2nd place EHOME

Capitalist

"EHOME are a fan-favorite and a safe bet to make it out of their groups but the second team is a bit of a question mark. Despite Tongfu.OB being a fun team, I believe that EP are the team to make it out due to their recent performances.

On the other side we have one of my favorites- CDEC making it out alongside HGT (though VG.P are potential upstarts). Now I believe people are underestimating CDEC ever since they lost Maybe but I think they will shine in the qualifiers upsetting HGT for the 2nd place slot while EHOME secure 1st."

Groupstage: EHOME, HGT, EP and CDEC / Playoffs: 1st place EHOME, 2nd place CDEC

Blaze

" EHOME seems a clear favorite for first place. Their aggressive playstyle gives them a significant edge in this patch. The order of the runner-ups is much more difficult to predict.

Most of the teams have a decent chance at 2nd-4th place with HGT being the most likely to claim 2nd. However, I think most people will overlook the newcomers VG.Potential, who I would almost guarantee are going to get at least 4th place (I have them 3rd over Energy Pacemaker). Don’t count them out!"

Groupstage: EHOME, HGT, EP and VG.Potential / Playoffs: 1st place EHOME, 2nd place HGT

General consensus for TI5 Chinese QualifiersTaking into consideration our casters as well as predictions from elsewhere including

Peter 'ppd' Dager, it seems EHOME and HGT are heavy favourites for top2, with most siding with EHOME taking 1st place. As for the groupstage EP is a strong contender for 3-4th place, with the other survivor seeming very dependent on personal preference.

Food for thought, willing to risk your rares on CDEC?Capitalist was the only caster to tip CDEC to pass the groupstage, and it is interesting he did so because CDEC find themselves in a group with HGT, a team they beaten 2-0 twice this month. They have also won 6 of the last 9 encounters with HGT, making a second place finish in group B a strong possibility. A bet on CDEC might be more risky than going for EHOME or HGT for top2, but it could prove very fruitful if you're willing to take the risk.

Godz

"Liquid to take it! Ugh, I mean ROOT. Never doubt the Fluff/TC magic in making it to TI's. Without a doubt a team I see joining favorites Mouz and NoT Today in the playoffs. The fourth team I'd look towards NAR joining them.

NoT on their good days have had close series vs EG and are a potential top 2 contender, but I'd hedge my bets and look towards ROOT giving the best opposition towards Mouz and making it into the top 2 with them. Who knows, maybe even a ROOT first place finish!"

Groupstage: ROOT, Mouz, NoT and NAR / Playoffs: 1st place Mouz, 2nd place ROOT

Capitalist

"I’m sure everyone is looking at Mouz to take first simply because they have so much talent (particularly in Black) that it’s hard to deny them the first place slot. I believe Root will be the other team making it out of the Mouz group while Not Today and NAR will move on in the other group.

As far as playoffs go, I simply believe that Not Today’s new roster with Vann and Ifrit is such an upgrade from the previous team that they will manage to take second over NAR and Root."

Groupstage: ROOT, Mouz, NoT and NAR / Playoffs: 1st place Mouz, 2nd place NoT

Maut

"For Group A I think right now the two weakest teams are Void Boys and Wherel. Both teams struggled in the past couple of weeks. Wheel just lost to Boreal in a best of 3 series in Canada Cup (a team that lost in the open qualifiers) and Void Boys has looked shaky since the departure of Pat Soul. These two teams have a chance (it's NADota afterall) but they certainly aren't the strongest.

Not Today is probably the favourite in that group A, as they will be playing on US Ping on LAN from the BTS house in LA, followed by NAR who has had some troubles over the past couple of weeks. Then of course followed by Leviathan who are a good team in terms of chemistry but their individual skill may sometimes be lacking along with poor drafts.

As far as Group B is concerned I think it's more wide open. I'd be surprised to see Unknown go winless but I don't expect them to be top 2. Mousesports SHOULD be first but again, it's NADota. After that it's wide open, I think Root is the stronger team then coL and eHug but I think eHug can have some fantastic games.

For the playoffs, NAR beat ROOT first round, then goes on to beat NoT Today but ultimately loses to Mouz. Although any one of those teams can beat each other in the playoffs. : it's hard to predict It could honestly go any way. I'm looking forward to some classic American Dota. Anything can happen at any time, Level 1 Roshans, 5 men smoke mid, push strats etc!"

Groupstage: ROOT, Mouz, NoT and NAR / Playoffs: 1st place Mouz, 2nd place NAR

Unanimous predictions for groupstage survivors For the Ti5 America qualifiers all three casters predicted the same four teams to come out of the groupstages, and all expect Mousesports to take 1st place. As for second place NoT have not been in the best of shapes at offline tournaments, but have often excelled at qualifying for events online. If Maut's mention that NoT might play from the BTS house during the qualifiers does pan out, that could be an additional reason to vote for the Peruvians!

Head to your compendium to make your final predictions, voting closes at 8pm CET tomorrow!