Analyzing Teamwork in Newbee vs. Liquid: Overcoming Adversity through Coordination
The 2017 Dota 2 International Grand Finals between Newbee and Team Liquid showcased a masterclass in teamwork, particularly from Liquid, who secured a decisive 3-0 victory. This analysis highlights how Liquid's cohesive teamwork enabled them to overcome adversity and dominate a formidable opponent.
Key Aspects of Teamwork Demonstrated by Team Liquid:
1. Strategic Drafting and Hero Synergy:
Liquid’s drafts emphasized hero combinations that synergized perfectly, such as Miracle-’s mid-lane picks (e.g., Necrophos or Invoker) paired with KuroKy’s roaming supports. Their ability to balance teamfight control, split-push potential, and late-game scaling outmaneuvered Newbee’s more rigid strategies.
2. Adaptability and In-Game Adjustments:
Liquid adjusted tactics mid-series. For example, in Game 2, they pivoted from a teamfight-heavy approach to split-pushing with Matumbaman’s Lone Druid, exploiting Newbee’s lack of mobility. This flexibility contrasted with Newbee’s predictable playstyle, which Liquid systematically countered.
3. Communication and Role Execution:
Each Liquid player excelled in their role: Miracle
farmed efficiently while GH’s Earthshaker and Keeper of the Light created space. KuroKy’s shot-calling ensured precise engagements, such as a critical smoke gank near Roshan that turned a gold deficit into a game-winning teamfight.
4. Map Control and Vision:
Liquid’s supports (GH and KuroKy) dominated vision wars, securing key areas like the Roshan pit. This allowed them to ambush Newbee during attempts to contest objectives. In Game 3, a well-timed ward spotted Newbee’s Smoke of Deceit, leading to a counter-initiation and wipe.
5. Resilience in High-Pressure Scenarios:
Despite early-game setbacks (e.g., Newbee’s aggressive laning in Game 1), Liquid remained composed. A notable moment was their defense of Mega Creeps in Game 2, where coordinated spell usage (e.g., GH’s Echo Slam) repelled Newbee’s siege, enabling a comeback.
Contrast with Newbee’s Challenges:
Individual Brilliance vs. Coordination: Newbee relied on Sccc’s standout performances (e.g., his Queen of Pain), but disjointed initiations and overextensions left them vulnerable to Liquid’s counterplays.
Predictability: Newbee’s focus on early aggression became exploitable, as Liquid’s vision and reactive drafting neutralized their tempo.
Conclusion:
Team Liquid’s victory underscored that teamwork transcends individual skill. Their synergy in drafting, adaptability, and flawless execution under pressure turned potential adversity into opportunities. Newbee, while skilled, lacked the dynamic coordination needed to counter Liquid’s strategic depth. This series remains a testament to how trust, communication, and strategic ingenuity define elite esports performance.
