Epic Game Recap: coL vs. xGoSu in Prodota2 League

By Jack Chen - April 12, 2012


If for some reason you’re only able to watch one DotA game this week, make sure it’s the Pro DotA 2 League match between Complexity and Quantic (then ex-Gosu).



I’d give you the play-by-play recap, but that would likely detract from the experience. We have youtube and talented casters like Draskyl for that, with Absolute Legends’ main picker Snoopy providing expert color. And only by watching a game can you truly appreciate the momentum swings and back and forth struggle that make DotA compelling. Only by seeing the split-second precision of DotA played at this level can you appreciate the talent and professionalism, long lost in the obscurity of the North American scene, finally surface to claim its rightful place.

Quantic entered this match in sponsorship limbo. As team It’s Gosu they had played well enough to warrant consideration as possible rivals to Na’Vi, the kings of DotA.

A collection of seasoned veterans from the earliest days of American DotA, the team had proved two enduring truths about the North American scene. They showed they had the talent to beat the best; but not the stability to truly unseat them. After months of speculation and uncertainty, Bulba and Universe left the team. The new team formed a hungry core around players like Korok and PAINTITGOLD, subsequently surprising many observers by going on a rampage, felling top tier European teams left and right (including the resurrected Virtus.Pro and Kuroky, a star with whom Korok is sometimes unflatteringly yet increasingly deservedly confused with).

Complexity is also no stranger to a meteoric rise from the relative obscurity of North American competition, having strung together an impressive undefeated streak months earlier as team FIRE before earning their sponsorship, trademarking oft-overlooked heroes like Juggernaut along the way.
Quantic drafted a lineup with solid gank and push potential, probably looking for a decisive early-midgame advantage. Complexity looked to have a stronger lane phase, with plenty of burst AOE in teamfights to complement its well-babysat Anti-mage, respect banning Morphling and possibly Stealth Assassin as well.

Both teams executed their game plans; Quantic swept tower after tower with token losses while Anti-mage began reaping the spoils of his Battlefury. The momentum shifted innumerable times; the smallest of advantages, overextended upon, were punishingly rebutted. Big engagements persisted into isolated skirmishes. Four barracks fell on each side without a clear winner in a 43-43 nail-biter.

Before I’m overtaken by the temptation to make some cheesy allegorical connection between the continuing ascendance of North American teams to Tiny defying the odds in this game to grow from insignificant doormat to a brutalizing team-destroyer, I’m leaving you with this screenshot.



coL.Jeyo's hit points drop after being hit by a 2200 damage critical strike from Quantic|Korok's Tiny.