Dreamhack Winter has already concluded and it was an entertaining event that features a lot of twist and turns and some major upsets that made the fans sad.

The fans really got sad because the fan-favorite NaVi was eliminated early in the quarterfinals by the American’s Evil Geniuses. Aside from NaVi, EG also defeated Rigg3D, 4F+C, and Fnatic in the semi-finals to claim their slot in the grand finals.

 

But the real highlight of the tournament was the champion, No Tidehunter (NTH). This is not a joke. It is a new ebstablshied but experienced team. The team is compose of a Canadian (EternaLEnVy) and 4 Sweden players (AdmiralBulldog, s4, Loda, And Akke). They killed a giant before having the rights to go to the grand finals. NTH defeated 4F+C, EG, Rigg3D in the group stages to meet and defeat favorites to win the tournament, Absolute Legends and the Mighty Empire.

Game One:

Picking up Tidehunter given that their name is No Tidehunter seemed to be a bad move as EG just demolished NTH in the first game. It started early as EG’s Faceless Void received an early gold treat coming from a first blood of Beastmaster in the top lane. After that, multiple team fights won prompted EG to try going high grounds in the 30th minute mark of the game. Again claiming the win in team fights, EG didn’t really stop resulting to a top barracks in the 35th minute mark and the Game 1 itself right after.

 

 

Game Two:

2nd game was a roller coaster type of game wherein we saw that epic first moment strategy coming from NTH baiting their Prophet to the Roshan pit to lure all enemy heroes and then surprise them with a well-organized attack. After those splendid moves from NTH, it was EG’s time to shine as we saw EG very composed to take the game and the series very early in the game. They took 2 towers in the top lane in as early as 4:00, adding to that was their 2 carries Magnus and Juggernaut were the most farmed hero in the early phase.

But aside from that moment, it was all about NTH as they let their Sven farm all the Ancient stacks and collect. It’s BKB to push 3 uncontested tier-2 towers of EG and a Roshan giving them the better position in game. From that moment on, it was gradually the NTH show when they pushed their ways on to victory highlighted by an ultrakill coming from Loda’s Sven to force GG in the 41th minute mark of the game.

 

Game Three:

Game three was really an epic decider for both teams. First to take note was the failed offlane coming from EG which resulted to multiple kills for the Queen of Pain. Adding to this was the beautiful team wipe that NTH did with the Cronosphere that really dictated the early game phase.

Knowing that they were in the back foot, EG wisely took Roshan and used it to their advantage reclaiming the tempo of the game. Then, it became a passive match until Prophet gained his Scythe of Vyse. Feeling confident with the hex of Prophet, EG decided to take high grounds and broke barracks but unfortunately, NTH had the answers which resulted to 3 pickups. NTH lost their barracks, but then again pushed forward and won a significant clash to claim not only the game but also the title as the DOTA 2 Champions of the Dreamhack Winter 2012.

 

Congratulations to No Tidehunter for winning Dreamhack Winter 2012