The International 2025 has come to a close, marked by Team Falcons’ remarkable comeback victory in the grand final. However, the thrilling event continues to generate discussions within the Dota 2 community.
Recent attention has focused on Ame, the prominent carry player for Xtreme Gaming, who has faced criticism regarding his itemization choices during the decisive match against Falcons. Yatoro, the carry for Team Spirit and a two-time TI champion, was particularly vocal, suggesting that Ame’s choices with Juggernaut could have influenced the outcome, preventing him from securing the coveted Aegis of Champions.
In a pub match with Spirit’s manager Korb3n, Yatoro shared his thoughts on Ame’s performance in the pivotal fifth game. He acknowledged Juggernaut’s ability to counter Medusa but contended that Ame’s item build failed to provide the necessary tools to change the game’s momentum in favor of XG.
Ame’s initial item build consisted of a 13-minute Battle Fury, a 19-minute Manta Style, a 26-minute Butterfly, a 32-minute Monkey King Bar, a 35-minute Swift Blink, and a 42-minute Black King Bar. Notably, one item conspicuously absent from this build was the Diffusal Blade.
While it is a situational choice for Juggernaut, the Diffusal Blade is particularly effective against Medusa’s Mana Shield. Even an upgraded Disperser could have significantly helped against the various disable abilities in Team Falcons’ lineup, including those from ATF’s Magnus and Malr1ne’s Pangolier.
Yatoro proposed an alternative item build he believed would have been much more advantageous against Team Falcons’ late-game composition centered around Medusa. His recommendations included Manta Style, Diffusal, Aghanim’s Scepter, MKB, Blink Dagger, and Disperser, with options to transition into situational items like BKB or Silver Edge.
He asserted that this item progression would have intensified the pressure and equipped Juggernaut with the resources needed to directly challenge Medusa. The choice of Butterfly particularly faced Yatoro’s strong critique, as he argued it was an impractical option against Medusa in that match.
The criticism surrounding Ame adds to the weight of what is already a demoralizing defeat. As a three-time grand finalist, his pursuit of the elusive TI championship remains unfinished, and analyses such as these will be scrutinized as experts seek to understand the reasons behind XG’s downfall. This situation highlights how even the slightest decisions during critical moments can significantly alter the landscape of esports, and the criticism can be severe when tactics do not yield the intended results.
Yatoro’s willingness to share candid analysis displays the mindset that has enabled him to etch his legacy in Dota 2. It serves as a reminder that professional players, regardless of their stature, are not exempt from the intense scrutiny that accompanies their in-game choices.
TI 2025 will be remembered not only for its thrilling conclusion but also as an illustration of how every item, every strategy, and every execution moment can be the difference between lifting the Aegis or experiencing heartache.
