The International 2018 Dota 2 Championships: Everything you need to know.

Most Iconic Moments in The International History.

Ever since Na'Vi won the very first edition of the tournament, The International has only grown in prestige, prize money and honor. With so much pride in lifting the Aegis, competition has always been fierce as teams give it their all as if winning one game is a matter of life and death. Thanks to this undying spirit shown by the teams, we have seen some truly iconic moments in The International history. Let's run down some of the legendary ones that will forever remain in our memories.

The Fountain Hooks (The International 3)

Na'Vi's fountain hooks from The International 2013 is one of the most famous moments in E-Sports history. During the match between Na'vi and TongFu in the Upper Brackets Semi Finals, captain Puppey and star carry Dendi developed the ultimate cheese strategy to beat TongFu.

Just 15 minutes in, Na'vi used the previously unknown interaction between Chen's Test of Faith and Pudge's Meathook as Puppey would use his ability on Dendi the moment he will throw a hook. Does the hook connect, the enemy at the end of it got pulled into a one way trip to the fountain. Dendi landed hook after hook as Na'Vi won the game thus winning the series 2-1. Check out the fountain hook below:

The Six Million Dollar Echo Slam (The International 5)

One of the most remembered moments thanks in part to TobiWan's amazing commentary on the accompanying play, Universe's TI winning Echo Slam was one of the greatest moments in Dota 2 history. In what is called a Wombo-Combo, Universe on Earthshaker unleashed a nuclear bomb on CDEC Gaming inside the rosh pit.

EG lost their Upper Bracket finals to CDEC gaming 2-0 before beating LGD Gaming in the lower bracket finals to get their second shot at CDEC at the Grand Finals. The first 3 games would alternate between EG and CDEC as EG headed into game 4 with a 2-1 lead. CDEC spent much of the early game focusing on Sumail's Storm Spirit. After picking off Sumail, CDEC looked to take Roshan. However, ppd on Ancient Apparition scouted them out and placed a perfect Ice Blast inside the pit as Universe on Earth Shaker dove in with an Echo Slam. The single skill almost instantly melt CDEC as they were all grouped up and killed off 4 heroes leaving Aggressif's Phantom Lancer alive alone. Within 10 minutes, EG would lift the Aegis. The only words that can describe this play: It's a Disastah! Check it out below:

The Mega Creep Comeback (The International 6)

Evil Geniuses went into TI6 as the defending champions and the favorites to win the Aegis once again. They proved exactly why during the Upper Bracket Semi Finals against EHome. In the 6 year history of the International, no team had managed to come back against Mega Creeps up until that point. But, EG had other plans.

The first game of the series began in a slugfest with teamfight after teamfight with each team trading kills equally. But EHome would grind EG down and soon take a gold and XP lead over them. They would soon take all 3 rows of barracks and sit back with mega creeps. In a master strategy from EG, Sumail on Mirana would build an Ethereal Blade as he himself and his teammates Zai on Shadow Demon and ppd on Ancient Apparition all built Dagons. Coupled with ppd's well timed ultimates, EG would hold against EHome and mega creeps to eventually come back and win the game. The events prompted the announcers to dub the game 'The Greatest Dota 2 Game ever played'.

The Play (The International 2)

From TI2, Na'Vi's 'The Play' is arguably the single most iconic moment in Dota 2 History. Again in the Upper Bracket Semi Finals, Na'Vi faced off against Invictus Gaming. In the second game of the BO3, Na'Vi, down 0-1, pulled off one of the most incredible plays ever.

Na'Vi had drafted a push-heavy line up of Enigma, Rubick, Juggernaut, Shadow Shaman and Enchantress. While IG relied on a wombo-combo line up of Naga Siren, Tidehunter, Dark Seer, Lina and Puck. At around 17 minutes, IG smoked up and tried to pick Na'Vi from behind as they pushed a Tier 2 tower with minimum vision. The Naga Siren initiated with her Song of The Siren as all 5 Na'Vi players were disabled by the sleep. But within the split second between the Song's end and Tidehunter's Ravage, XBoct's Juggernaut activated his Bladefury and LightOfHeaven activated his Black King Bar. Neither of them got stunned and Dendi on Rubick force staffed himself to safety. Dendi stole ravage as LightOfHeaven caught 4 IG players in a Black Hole. Dendi's Ravage would go on to kill 4 heroes from his and Juggernaut's damage and Na'Vi chased and killed Lina who was the last surviving member.

Kuroky's Redemption (The International 7)

Kuroky is a German proffessional Dota 2 player who had started his career as a position one carry but switched to support midway through. Kuroky is one of the only 4 players to have attended every single TI. TI1 with Gosu Gamers with a first round exit. TI2 with Mousesports again getting eliminated first round. TI3 and TI4 with Na'Vi bagging a second place finish at TI3. TI5 with Team Secret getting a 7th-8th finish and TI6 through TI8 with Team Liquid. Kuroky played for all the right teams at all the wrong times as he failed to lift the Aegis.

Initially being invited on to Na'Vi by best friend Puppey, Kuroky finished second at TI 3 and developed a hunger to win TI and lift the Aegis. A hunger that will drive him for the next 4 years. After joining Puppey at Team Secret, a team formed by Puppey himself, and again failing to lift the Aegis. Kuroky decided to permanently shift to support and create his own team of youngsters. Kuroky was joined by young prodigees Mind_Control and Matumbaman and more experienced FATA and Jerax. But their campaign at TI6 would be unsuccesful yet again. A roster change soon saw wonder boy GH come in for Jerax and arguably the world's best player, Miracle joining the team. With Miracle and GH Liquid went on a tear throughout the season and finally, 4 years after losing a TI Grand Finals, Kuroky finally won the Aegis beating Newbee 3-0 in the Grand Finals to do so. The crowd chanting Kuroky's name as Liquid stand on center stage with the Aegis will remain one of the most iconic moments in Dota 2 history. Catch Liquid's winning moment below: