Team Aster took down Entity 2-1 in a series with an edge-of-the-seat decider to guarantee themselves at least a top 4 finish.
One of the teams that took everyone by surprise at the PGL Arlington Major was Entity. Even though they were playing with a standin, no less an offlaner in place of their carry, they crafted a unique playstyle to make the best of the situation, and really flourished at it. Seeing them go up against one of the top teams at the tournament, Team Aster, ensured a great display of Dota 2.
Entity had eliminated the likes of Evil Geniuses and BOOM Esports from the tournament, so they were coming into the series with a lot of confidence. Team Aster on the other hand, were coming into the series on the back of an upper bracket defeat against Team Spirit. But as the games showed, they firmly put that defeat behind them.
EntityThe first game of the series was a completely one sided affair, with Team Aster winning the game with a kill score of 33-9. But Entity returned the favor with a 25-3 beatdown in in game 2 to even the series 1-1.
It all came down to a game 3, which turned out to be a rollercoaster of a ride. Entity went for their trademark dual offlane picks in Doom and Venomancer, with a mid Tiny. These lineups ramp up fast, which meant Aster would have to absorb the early game and scale into the late game if they were to win it. Things were going swimmingly for Entity, and they had an 18000 net worth lead heading into the 40th minute. But it was a fight near the Roshan pit that went wrong for Entity that started turning things around, and in just 15 minutes, the lead had reversed to 24000 for Aster! Entity had missed their timing and let Aster back into the game. Aster closed out the game in 55 minutes to take the series 2-1, leaving Entity to settle for a 5th/6th place finish.
[embedded content]
Of all the teams in the playoffs, Entity were the only ones who had neither secured a direct invite, nor had the chance to get it even if they won the event. They were just trying to do their best and get as far as possible without the weight of expectations on their backs. It was the team’s first ever Major, and they did absolute justice to it with some outstanding performances. As they head back to compete in the Western Europe TI11 qualifiers with the likes of Team Secret and Team Nigma, the team will have a massive boost in confidence knowing they can compete with the top teams out there.
As for Aster, they now await the winners of OG and beastcoast. That game will be the last game on the 14th of August, the winner of which will get to play on the final day of the Arlington Major.
