TI8 team preview: VGJ Thunder, the get-by kids

This is the latest in a series of articles profiling the 18 teams attending The International 8, which kicks off on Aug. 15.

On a razor’s edge

Though they ended up making the cut anyway, Vici Gaming J Thunder did not have the luxury of confidence in their International 8 direct invite. They were, after all, in serious danger of being knocked off the eighth spot in the leaderboard at one point—with their score being just a hair above the cutoff point.

At the time of the China Supermajor last June, North American squad OpTic Gaming were on the rise. They had been looking to unseat VGJ Thunder by scoring enough points at the Supermajor to overtake them in the standings, which is what would have happened had they finished within the top four in Shanghai.

Fortunately for the Chinese team, this did not transpire, with OpTic having just fallen shy of their goal. The Green Wall barely missed out on the points, allowing VGJ Thunder to clinch their spot at TI8. While this does seem like a mere fortunate turn of events for them, closer inspection reveals that they were able to claim silver medals in two other Pro Circuit events—which would make it incorrect to say that they didn’t deserve to make it in.

Keeping on

As is tradition over in China, VGJ Thunder is a mix of grizzled veterans and young stars led by their seniors. The veterans in question are Liu “Sylar” Jiajun and Leong “ddc” Fat-meng, two highly-experienced players who have at least four International appearances each. Both are great pieces in their own right and for VGJ Thunder, and will be expected to be the leaders for the young guns in Vancouver.

Guidance from the seniors will be vital, of course, considering the smaller bank of LAN experience that the other three have. They got their trial by fire earlier this year in Bucharest, so they aren’t “babies” anymore in that sense—but their experience in tournaments with big stages and huge crowds pales in comparison to that of Sylar and ddc.

The influence of both is quite tangible, though, and can be seen in their fairly respectable portfolio of results this season. They’ll need to do much of the same and more at TI8, however, if they’re to get within striking distance of the Aegis of Champions. Their coach, Bai “rOtK” Fan, who once got excruciatingly close to winning an International himself, would certainly love that.

Player to watch

While not in the same conversation as the true old guard like Xu “BurNing” Zhilei and Zhang “LaNm” Zhicheng, Sylar is remembered for his long tenure with LGD Gaming—having played for the organization for nearly four years. He is a full-bred Chinese carry, having played during the era of four-protect-one strategies.

Biggest challenge

After a fantastic start to the new year, VGJ Thunder fell off somewhat in the last few months of the Pro Circuit season—so they don’t have the benefit of confidence and momentum on their side going into TI8.

Team grade

VGJ Thunder get a B- for their decent run through the Pro Circuit this year, but also for dropping the ball the rest of the way. They are a winners bracket threat by most accounts, but will likely fall to the survival rounds early on, if ever.