This afternoon, a new DotA 2 champion was crowned for epic.SIXTEEN, breaking DreadKnight's winning streak at epic.LAN. The newly formed mix of UK DotA 2 players bounced right back from the lower bracket to knock the tournament leaders from the top and take the first place prize.

After the back and forth that took place between the teams underneath team DENCH in the groupstage and bracket stage, the 9-1 team were optimistic going into the Grand Final. After they so simply dispatched Choke Gaming to the lower bracket, it was hard to see if they were really going to be challenged in this weighted best of 5 final. 

Game 1

With the one game advantage Hideo Kojima had their work cut out for them, needing 3 wins as opposed to DENCH's required 2 to take the whole LAN. The first game kicked off promptly in the morning and Hideo showing they had done their reseach into trying to outpick DENCH.

The usually farm oriented line up from DreadKnight's drafting was put to the test before the creeps had even spawned, as they picked Doom, AntiMage and Dread's farming 4 position Crystal Maiden. All 3 of these heroes, including Mute242's mid Zeus wanted to farm, as they were allowed to throughout the tournament. However, a slightly out of the box draft from Hideo, meant they were able to force a GG call from DENCH at only just over 20 minutes.

Hideo Kojima team had nullified the upper bracket advantage they faced and tied up the series. 

Game 2

Game 2 again saw a suitably aggressive lineup from Hideo, putting t'soodle on a playmaking and teamfight controlling Centaur Warrunner. Their aggressive Doom/Lich offlane managed to effectively pressure Gron's farming time and put him in an uncomfortable position for the game. A few decisive fights managed to put Meep's Legion Commander on a dominating streak and they managed to eventually snowball their way through the enemy's base, despite DENCH's best efforts to stall them.

Game 3

At match point, Hideo looked confident. After the talk in the eSports hall yesterday, Hideo had done the unthinkable and managed to really put DENCH to the test. If nothing else they had already proved they were a fitting matchup for the very farm heavy opposing team that had gone pretty much uncontested through the whole LAN.

With that in mind, Hideo just stuck to their guns, putting t'soodle again on what turned out to be a crucial Centaur pick. This hero allowed them to choose their engagements wisely and when he managed to farm up his Sceptre, there was not a lot DENCH could do after initiating. Most importantly, though, was the Huskar played by Meep. Although DENCH had the Shadow Fiend and Wraith King's physical damage, they were left just too far behind to really get on top of the Armlet Toggling monster that kept jumping them.

After buybacks had been forced and ultimates expended, DENCH realised they had nothing left in the tank and no way of stopping the Dire push right into their base. GG was called and Hideo Kojima were crowned the victors of epic.SIXTEEN!

You can already buy your tickets for epic.SEVENTEEN, so get them soon as we can expect some more great mixes and rivalries in the UK DotA 2 tournament next time!