Five reasons why Team Spirit is eliminated from The International 2024

On 10 September, Team Spirit, the reigning TI champions, unexpectedly exited The International 2024 without reaching the top 8 or the arena matches.

Drafts 

Drafting was a major issue for Spirit. Although they prepared relevant heroes like Mirana, Luna, and Kunkka, their drafts still faltered, especially against Xtreme. In the second game, Spirit’s greedy draft with Morphling, Mars, and Storm Spirit was countered by Xtreme’s Sniper. This oversight led to Storm Spirit falling behind, leaving Spirit unable to create space for Morphling, resulting in Xtreme taking control and dismantling their base early.

On the third game, Spirit faced a damage shortage against Xtreme’s flexible draft, including Undying and Medusa. Spirit’s lack of adaptability led to them being out-drafted and outplayed.

Slow Play 

Spirit, known for their late-game strategies, struggled against teams that dominated from the start. While Spirit is effective at macro play and split-pushing, this TI favoured aggressive early-game tactics, leaving Spirit outpaced and unable to handle fast-paced opponents.

Aura Meta 

The current meta's focus on defensive team items like Pipe of Insight and Guardian Greaves was reminiscent of TI 2022, where Spirit thrived. This year, Spirit struggled with the aura-heavy meta, indicating a mismatch with the prevailing strategy.

Difficulty in Making Comebacks 

Spirit, known for their comebacks, struggled due to changes in the Roshan Banner, which made it easier for teams to push bases and reduced comeback opportunities. Effective comebacks now rely on major opponent mistakes or critical Roshan fights.

Individual Errors 

Spirit players underperformed, with a series of small errors compounding their issues. Mistakes like giving away first blood and missing key moments in fights affected their overall performance, leading to their early exit from the tournament.