Dota 2 TI12 Group Stage Day 2 highlights: Topson's Pugna, Shiro's rampage, and more

The second day of Dota 2 The International 2023 group stage matchups saw several ups and downs. We witnessed Team SMG, Thunder Awaken, Beastcoast, and PSG Quest getting eliminated from their respective groups, while Team Spirit remained undefeated on the second day. TA2000, safelaner of the eliminated PSG Quest, achieved a historic milestone by securing the highest GPM in TI history with his Naga Siren.

Additionally, Team Liquid, Tundra Esports, and LGD Gaming managed to stay on top of their groups. Amid the eliminations and thrilling team fights in nearly every matchup, the second day turned out to be an exciting one.

Here's more about the top highlights that took place in The International 2023 Day 2 group stages.

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Evil Geniuses, Shopify Rebellion, Virtus Pro, and Keyd Stars are at risk of elimination if they lose the Bo3 games in Dota 2's TI12 phase two series

1) Topson's Pugna gameplay in Dota 2's T12

The first Dota 2 The International 2023 group stage game between Tundra and Quest had Skitter's Sven and Topson's Zeus take the former to victory in a thrilling 87-minute-long game. Topson's Pugna stole the spotlight in the second game. The TI11 champions found themselves in a challenging face-off against Quest's Nature's Prophet, Luna, Shadow Demon, Viper, and Primal Beast

PSG Quest managed to eliminate Spectre and Pugna and got an opening to push. The team focused on the bottom lane, and although Skitter immediately bought back to defend the bottom racks, Quest eliminated Bristleback with the aid of Nature's Prophet's Spirit Vessel charge and Primal's Scepter-upgraded Break.

Meanwhile, Topson's Pugna spawned and joined the fight, dealing damage with Nether Blast and Nether Ward. Following Shadow Demon's elimination, Pugna was focused on by three heroes. However, he cleverly used his BKB and Life Drain, not only surviving but also securing a triple kill in the process. He even chased and killed the Shadow Demon (bought back) to get an ultra kill.

Taking advantage of the situation, Topson used Boots of Travel to reach Dire's top lane. With his team's support, the top and mid racks were secured. Eventually, Tundra got the bottom racks. Despite the onslaught of mega creeps, Quest's heroes fiercely defended their Ancient, ultimately eliminating Spectre and Bristleback.

In a daring push, Topson seized the moment by activating his BKB and using Life Drain and Nether Ward to successfully take down Luna, who had a Divine Rapier, Primal Beast, and Shadow Demon. This decisive action led to Tundra's victory on the second day of Dota 2 The International 2023.

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2) Yatoro and Larl dismantling Evil Geniuses in Dota 2 The International

Team Spirit, with a new midlaner, Larl, has become a force to be reckoned with, dominating every match so far. The Dota 2 TI10 champions locked horns with Evil Geniuses in its first game of the second-day group stages. Spirit easily defeated the South American team in the first game.

Evil Geniuses started with a positive score in the second matchup, with Pakazs' Pudge quickly accumulating early flesh heap stacks. Whisper's Bristleback also proved to be a thorn in Team Spirit's side, particularly after taking down Yatoro's Phantom Assassin in the mid lane with the help of Pudge.

Things were going well for the South American squad until it lost sight of PA farming in the jungle with her Battlefury. However, EG did eliminate Collapse's Axe and Mira's Skywrath Mage and headed to the Roshan Pit. It seemed like EG had the upper hand as it claimed the bottom barracks of Team Spirit.

Realizing the threat, Yatoro purchased a Divine Rapier at the 36th minute and prepared for the upcoming team fights. With his impressive item build, including a BKB, Basher, Desolator, and Battle Fury, he was ready to turn the tide. After a successful team fight using SoD, Team Spirit regained confidence and waited for Roshan to respawn.

While waiting, Collapse made a daring blink onto two EG heroes, setting up a fantastic call. When the fight broke out, Yatoro pounced on the Pudge and Crystal Maiden, killing them in the process. With Pango eliminated by the Radiant side, Grimstroke and Bristleback attempted to retreat, but Mira pursued them, and the fight raged.

PA, Axe, and Primal leaped onto Bristleback and Grimstroke, and with a tremendous damage output and Primal's uproar, Larl secured a triple kill. EG lost momentum in the wake of this heated team fight. Team Spirit managed to stay afloat and ultimately emerged victorious in Dota 2 The International 2023 group stage matchup.

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3) Shiro's rampage with Luna on Day 2 of Dota 2's TI12

In the first game between LGD Gaming and Virtus.pro (VP), the latter managed to secure a victory on the back of Squad's Templar Assassin.

The second game started off with electrifying picks from both teams. VP drafted Dazzle, Templar, Spirit Breaker, Bristleback, and Grimstroke. The Chinese powerhouse got themselves Luna, Viper, Brewmaster, Elter Titan, and Nature's Prophet.

The game started out equal in terms of kills and GPM, as both teams were playing well and winning team fights against each other. Shiro's Luna was leading the gold chart with an early Mask of Madness and Manta Style. He then joined his team, which was fighting near the Dire's outpost by the Roshan Pit.

With a perfect Eclipse, Shiro waltzed into the team fight and got a triple kill by eliminating the Viper, Spiritbreaker, and Dazzle. Then, as Nature's Prophet used sprout on the TA, Luna right-clicked her to death and got an ultra kill.

With just Bristleback alive, a tanky target to kill, Brewmaster immediately used his Spirit Vessel charge, and with NP's sprout, Luna got the fastest rampage in Dota 2's TI12. This streak helped Shiro farm his Butterfly and Satanic and eventually took LGD to victory.

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4) Azure Ray's team fight in the second game of Dota 2's TI12 group stage

The first game saw Arteezy's Terrorblade rain hell on the Chinese team. However, the second game was entirely different as we saw the North American organization getting outplayed and dropping above the elimination spot.

The second game started on a positive note for Shopify, with early kills and a 3K net worth lead. Lou's Spectre, equipped with only a Blade Mail and Sacred Relic, was diligently trying to complete his Radiance. Shopify decided to smoke and head to Dire's Tormentor camp to shut down Lou; the Spectre was found busy farming.

Upon spotting the Spectre, Fly's Shadow Demon used disruption to buy time for his team to join the fight. Abed's Pango, Crit's Vengeful Spirit, and Saberlight's Dawnbreaker, who joined using Solar Guardian, all jumped on the Spectre. However, Chalice instantly teleported to the tier 1 tower and vacuumed three heroes, excluding Abed. This move somewhat helped, but Saberlight successfully eliminated the AR carry.

Azure Ray quickly brought in reinforcements, with Somnus' Earth Spirit wreaking havoc among Shopify's heroes. Jiang's Ancient Apparition delivered a massive Ice Blast as Somnus continued to dismantle Shopify. Arteezy's Sven, despite activating God's Strength and BKB, couldn't deal sufficient damage.

In due course, Pango and Sven managed to take down Chalice's Dark Seer. When they tried to fight other heroes of Azure Ray, Abed retreated, resulting in Sven's wasted BKB charge. Sven decided to jump into the fight, and both Abed and Artour got eliminated. This team fight secured the victory for Azure Ray in the second match of Dota 2's The International 2023 second group stage.