The International 2025, Dota 2`s pinnacle event, has already seen its share of upsets and early exits. Among the teams departing the tournament prematurely was Natus Vincere (NAVI), a name that resonates with the earliest legends of professional Dota. Despite entering the championship with a fresh roster and tempered expectations, their journey was a curious blend of inventive flashes and critical missteps. For many, this was meant to be the dawn of a “new era” for the celebrated organization. Instead, it concluded with an unceremonious elimination, prompting a closer look at what transpired.
A Burst of Creative Drafts, A Lack of Cohesion
NAVI arrived in the competitive arena equipped with an arsenal of unconventional strategies and hero picks, a commendable approach for a team not widely tipped as a frontrunner. Their creativity was evident: an offlane Vengeful Spirit, a hero typically relegated to a support role, secured a win against Tidebound. The mid-lane Undying, a carry-style pick that had found success for them at the EWC, once again delivered a victory against Heroic. Furthermore, a support Spirit Breaker and a mid Snapfire, a hero well-suited to the current Helm of the Dominator meta, showcased a team unafraid to experiment.
However, this abundance of innovative ideas often struggled to coalesce into a cohesive strategy. The very strength of their diverse drafts became their Achilles` heel. The team`s tendency to showcase novelties, while exciting, frequently led to a lack of overall synergy. Perhaps the most illustrative example of this strategic inconsistency was their match against Nigma. Despite previous teams having demonstrated the peril of allowing Nigma`s signature Lone Druid, NAVI inexplicably let it through. To compound matters, they also gifted Nigma their potent Marci, then countered it on their own lane with a Gyrocopter and Silencer pairing. The result? NAVI`s carry found himself relegated to the jungle by the second minute, a testament to either profound overconfidence or a fleeting moment of strategic amnesia.
Ultimately, while visually engaging, the frequent oscillation between brilliant and questionable draft decisions meant NAVI could not maintain a consistent, effective strategy over the tournament`s duration.
Micro Mastery vs. Macro Missteps
On an individual level, NAVI`s players demonstrated flashes of undeniable talent. For instance, gotthejuice`s performance on Morphling against Heroic was a masterclass in mechanical execution. In teamfights, the team often exhibited strong micro-level coordination: identifying key targets, executing timely saves, knowing when to retreat, and initiating second waves of engagement. A prime example was their prolonged 60-minute skirmish against Tundra, a game where their individual fight execution was frequently on display.
Yet, the crucial distinction between winning a fight and choosing the right fight often eluded them. This is where their macro-level strategy—the overarching map control, positional play, prediction of enemy movements, and judicious avoidance of engagements—fell short. Critiques often drew comparisons to “pub” (public game) level decision-making rather than the meticulous chess game expected at The International. A particularly glaring instance was a pivotal fight in the deciding game against Tundra, where NAVI`s carry arrived significantly late. The team committed to a deep offensive push without ensuring their primary damage dealer was in position, effectively turning a potential 5-on-0 annihilation into a less favorable 2-on-3 exchange.
The Frailty of a Faltering Mindset
Esports, much like traditional sports, tests not just mechanical skill but also mental resilience. It appeared that NAVI, particularly its younger components, struggled significantly under the immense pressure of the global stage. Despite the presence of an experienced veteran like Zayac, who presumably held a leadership role, the team often failed to maintain composure. When momentum swung against them, a cascade of unforced errors and impulsive decisions frequently followed. Instances such as Riddys` Warlock prematurely casting a vital ultimate without allies nearby underscored a fundamental breakdown in decision-making under duress. One might even imagine a collective trembling of hands as the stakes escalated.
The final, decisive map against Nigma served as a poignant display of a team buckling under the immense pressure. For the majority of the game, NAVI held their ground, trading blows evenly. Then, as if a single thread snapped, the team unraveled like dominoes: the offlaner perished in an utterly innocuous situation, the team then rushed into a doomed attack without waiting for his respawn, and upon his return, the offlaner died again before the carry could revive. It was an unceremonious conclusion, devoid of a grand, climactic battle—a quiet capitulation rather than a glorious defeat.
The “New Era” Deferred
While NAVI certainly provided moments of excitement and glimpses of individual brilliance during The International 2025, their overall performance can only be described as average. The “new era” that fans and the organization alike had hoped for remains just beyond the horizon. The tournament underscored critical areas for development: refining draft synergy, elevating macro-level strategic play, and cultivating mental fortitude under high-stakes conditions. For those eagerly anticipating NAVI`s return to the pinnacle of Dota 2, patience will undoubtedly remain a virtue. The journey continues, albeit from the sidelines for this season.
Gilbert Pendleton