I think Beastcoast members except for C_smile were having symptoms of covid, hence why he's with teddy bears and stuff on the TI stage, same scenario with RNG.
I suspected that much but I just want to confirm it here. Is Covid protocol over there too lux that a few players are getting covid? It is hard to win if you are far apart from your team.
I think they aren't strict when it comes to checking but are strict in imposing protocols. RNG's manager slid into these checks and managed to get in to the area where players are chilling even though he is COVID-positive. They don't do extensive tests, and PGL and Valve should have been more careful because it will lead to a lot of said cases just like what happened to Bc and RNG.
This TI, outplaying is not enough. It's the draft that matters. Lots of times Beastcoast managed to outplay LGD and clean them out on teamfights but Ame still managed to get the best of Bc because they lack the physical defense (Halberd, AC, Shiva) against a Sven that is basically 7-slotted even though they are ahead of the game.
Once Sven got his timing, he is basically one stun one hitting most of the beastcoast heroes. They are just paper to Sven. MOst of the time, the one that got a better draft win. I think I am yet to see a countered draft and win.
I think PSG.LGD is countered heavily on that draft, but they managed to make it work somehow. Bc is equipped with a lot of kiting tools against that Sven and Lesh, and they have sufficient burst damage thanks to ET and SF's synergy in reducing LGD's armor to negatives when they caught even the Sven. It's just that Ame knows the power of his hero and used it very well against the rather squishy lineup of BC.
Had that CK went for a more armor build like AC, and Marci or ET went for a Halberd, it would have been a different story altogether, but they weren't able to get the timings and they opted to go for a more high-ground siege type of items in the mid game because Bc thought they are extremely far ahead.
A week of no TI dota for us, but the last match of the day is extremely hype! Thunder Awaken managed to give some hits and receive some up until the very end. Insania also dodged being an analyst for the last few matches of the tournament
This year, I'm inclined to bet on Team Secret to win this year's TI. Puppey's drafts is just on another level!