In the intense match between LGD Gaming and Team Secret during The International 10 (TI10) Upper Bracket Semifinals, several critical decisions by LGD were pivotal in their victory, particularly in Game 2, which marked a turning point in the series. Here are the key strategic choices:

1. Draft Prioritization: Securing Scalable Late-Game Heroes

  • Context: LGD opted for a draft centered around late-game scalability, picking Morphling (Ame) and Winter Wyvern (XinQ) while banning Team Secret’s tempo controllers like Enchantress and Chen (Puppey’s signature heroes).
  • Impact: This forced Secret into a mid-game timing lineup (e.g., Templar Assassin for Nisha). LGD’s decision to prioritize heroes like Morphling, who excels in prolonged fights, allowed them to outscale Secret in the late game. Their disciplined play to avoid unfavorable engagements until Morphling hit critical item timings (e.g., Ethereal Blade, Satanic) was crucial.

    • 2. Roshan Pit Turnaround: Decisive Team Fight Execution

  • Context: At around 30 minutes, LGD engaged Secret near the Roshan pit despite being slightly behind. XinQ’s Winter Wyvern used a game-changing Cold Embrace and Winter’s Curse to disrupt Secret’s positioning, while NothingToSay’s Puck locked down key targets.
  • Impact: LGD secured Roshan’s Aegis, enabling a high-ground push. This fight shifted momentum entirely, as Secret lost their core heroes and map control. The decision to commit to this fight, despite risks, showcased LGD’s confidence in their teamfight execution.

    • 3. Split-Push and Map Control: Creating Space for Morphling

  • Context: LGD’s supports (XinQ and y`) aggressively warded Secret’s jungle and used heroes like Puck to pressure sidelanes. This created space for Ame’s Morphling to farm safely while Secret struggled to pin him down.
  • Impact: By delaying Secret’s mid-game power spike and securing key pickoffs, LGD bought time for Morphling to reach critical items. This strategic patience prevented Secret from snowballing and allowed LGD to dominate later engagements.

    • 4. Buyback Management in High-Ground Defense

  • Context: During a desperate Secret push on LGD’s high ground, Ame (Morphling) wisely held his buyback until the last moment. LGD’s supports sacrificed themselves to delay Secret, enabling Ame to respawn and counterattack.
  • Impact: This calculated decision to preserve buybacks and trade supports for cores led to a full team wipe of Secret, turning a potential loss into a game-winning counterpush.

    • 5. Itemization Choices: Adapting to Secret’s Damage Output

  • Context: Ame built a Satanic on Morphling instead of rushing traditional damage items, anticipating Secret’s burst (TA’s Psionic Blades, Tiny’s combo). This provided sustain in prolonged fights.
  • Impact: The Satanic allowed Morphling to survive Secret’s initial burst and heal back during team fights, making him nearly unkillable in the late game.

    • Conclusion:

    These decisions highlighted LGD’s strategic depth and adaptability. By prioritizing late-game scalability, executing flawless team fights, and managing resources like buybacks and vision, LGD overturned deficits and secured their path to victory. Their ability to remain composed under pressure and exploit Secret’s mid-game weaknesses exemplified top-tier Dota 2 gameplay.