Rough Start for Team Liquid: GH stands-in for Boxi

With the Summer Tour of the DPC 2023 starting, we get to jump back in to watch some high-tier Dota. The WEU region started its first day on the 15th of May and will end on the 4th of June, except for maybe tie-breakers. The first match was between Team Liquid and Entity, which Entity won, surprising the fans. But Team Liquid was not playing with their complete line-up. They were missing their Pos 4 support Boxi.

Why did GH stand in for Liquid?

It came as a surprise when Liquid's coach Blitz tweeted that GH will be playing in their first match against Entity. This was "due to a conflict of schedule" for Boxi. No detailed reason was given on the matter. But the fans were excited to see GH play with a Div I team. With MC and SumaiL doing the same recently in the Berlin Major, it was time for GH to also showcase his skills. But it did not go as planned for the TI7 champ. However, playing along with a new team may have brought about new insights for GH and

Liquid Vs. Entity

Game 1

With Insania on his signature Oracle and GH on his famous IO, they drafted to counter a lot of negative debuffs from Entity's line-up. But Fishman, on his Silencer, started the game with a double kill. This was followed by Kataomi` getting a double kill on Pudge with help from his Offlane Venomancer. Kataomi's hooks were on point, not allowing Liquid's Alchemist to farm, and rotating to mid to kill Nisha four minutes into the game. This forced both Liquid supports to rotate mid, leaving their cores open. Entity was leading 14-3, 10 minutes into the game. With three heroes that gained stacks from kills on Entity's side, it was too much for Liquid as the game went on. They stole Liquid's farm and took over the map, leaving Alchemist dry, and ending the game in 21 minutes.

Game 2

This time Liquid went for different picks on their cores, with Nisha on Windranger and miCKe on carry Dawnbreaker. This game lasted for 28 minutes favoring Entity. Kataomi` also played an unorthodox Clinkz support, giving away First Blood to Team Liquid. But as the game continued, Clinkz was able to help the team get kills with his Tar Bomb ability, slowing and dealing bonus damage. Liquid was however able to turn the game around with a mid-rotation from Dawnbreaker, killing Pangolier and Lich. A team fight 13 minutes into the game gave Entity the upper hand. With Team Liquid diving too deep on Entity's side, it gave time for Entity to rotate and get a team wipe. However, Team Liquid's global presence with Dawn and Underlord was putting them on equal footing with Entity. But as the game went on, Kataomi` picked up a Nullifier, that helped them win consecutive team fights. Entity took Mid and Bottom Barracks 26 minutes into the game. Team Liquid called 'gg' at 28 minutes after watson got an ultra kill on Slark.

Featured Image: Team Liquid