Dota 2 Esports: 5 Highlights from the Chongqing Major

The Chongqing Major was a showcase of some of the best Dota 2 being played in the completive scene right now, and exactly what we’d expect from players at an event of this caliber.

From the action-packed finals between Team Secret and Virtus Pro to the first ever All Random Death Match played at a Major.

If you missed out on the action live, we’ve rounded up our favourite highlights to help you catch up on the last week of top tier games.

Secret’s 18 Minute Stomp in Game 2 of the Finals

The finals between Team Secret and Virtus Pro showed us why these two teams are the strongest in the world right now. Fans were treated to four games that took us on a rollercoaster of emotions before Secret finally brought the series at home with a score of 3-1.

But if we had to pick one game to watch, then Team Secret’s 18-minute stomp in game 2 is the one we’d choose. This was a truly record-breaking game of blink, and you’ll miss it Dota, wrapping up at 17 minutes and 54 seconds — an even faster time than Liquid’s TI7 series.

But it isn’t just the pace that made this game such an enjoyable ride. Puppey’s crazy draft picks with Drow Ranger and support Luna meant that from the start game 2 was set to be one of the most exciting games of the tournament.

https://www.twitch.tv/dotastarladder_en/clip/IntelligentAffluentTitanDerp

Ehome vs. Fnatic’s All-Out Brawls in the Upper Bracket

One of the best brawls we saw early on in this tournament came from Ehome and Fnatic’s matchup in Round 1 of Upper bracket Bo3’s. During the last minutes of Game 3, it looked like it was a sure thing for Ehome, as they pushed up to Fnatic’s high ground. But rather than calling GG, we saw the SEA boys put up a fight with some brilliant plays coming out from Abed and iceiceice allowing Fnatic to turn the fight and push down mid all the way to the Radiant mid T3.

The final minutes of this game saw some of the tankiest team fights of the tournament as Ehome turned on the slaughter, punishing Fnatic to take out the series with a 2-1 victory.

ARDM Showmatch; Liquid vs. Wings

We couldn’t make a list of highlights without mentioning the epic showmatch between Liquid and Wings on the last day of the Major. Even the casters were surprised as we got our first ever All-Star Random Death Match at a Major. This game was exactly as fun as you’d expect it to be, with plenty of perfectly executed plays by Wings to remind us all how beautiful the game can be.

Some standout moments include Kuroky going down on Kunka with a divine rapier, and Shadow’s insane game-changing Naga Ult.

Clip: https://www.twitch.tv/dotastarladder_en/clip/SquareSolidYakinikuOpieOP
Clip: https://clips.twitch.tv/IntelligentResourcefulMushroomBibleThump

Clutch Cliff Vacuum on Arteezy

Not every memorable moment in Dota is about the mega kills or the clutch plays, and the CQ Major gave fans a memory and a meme, they’re sure to cherish. The funniest moment of the Major was fateful Cliffteezy from the EG vs. Secret semi-finals.

Although Secret’s game had been strong throughout, something magical happened as the game neared the twenty-seven-minute mark, a sneaky vacuum from Zai’s Dark Seer pulled Arteezy up onto the high ground. With no BKB or TP to save him, Arteezy may have been a vision ward for all the help he could give his team.
Where was their damage? It was up too high. All he could do was watch as Secret went on to eviscerate them in a brutal team fight, soon after taking the game.

Clip: https://www.twitch.tv/dotastarladder_en/clip/InexpensiveNurturingHeronKappaRoss

EG vs. LGD’s Lowerbracket Free for All in Game 2

The series between EG and LGD.PSG had some of the most exciting back and forth team fights we saw this Major, especially game 2, where we saw both sides manage to turn the tables in team fights. There were so many great moments in game 2; A standout performance from Sumail with a mid Timbersaw. Some amazing defensive snowballs from Fy on Tusk that showed us why he’s one of the best supports in the competitive scene. Not to mention RTZ’s farmed PA, deleting heroes in one hit.

This game bounced back and forth like a ping-pong ball and delivered some of the best nail-biting moments of the Major.

There were so many fantastic moments throughout the Major, and we saw each team push both the meta and their skills to their creative limits. If the CQ Major is any indication, 2019 is shaping up to be an exciting year for Dota 2 fans.

Images via: Team Secret’s Facebook Page, LGD.PSG’s Facebook Page, Fnatic’s Facebook Page, StarladderDota and Liquidpedia
Clips via StarladderDota