After their last schedule for the day, Kite headed to their rendezvous point.
FNG Computer shop.
'I just hope that she won't bail on me.'
When he reached the front of the shop, Kite was having second thoughts of whether he should proceed or not.
Perplexed, he was stuck at the door for a while. Debating with himself in opening the door.
Then, a guy opened it before he did. He shot him a warning glare, apparently annoyed as Kite was taking his time.
"Bilisan mo naman diyan. Ang bagal-bagal. Nakaharang ka da daanan, oh! Kala mo kung sino."
Hearing this, Kite sighed and went inside. He went to look for Rachel. Half hoping that she's not there, and that he didn't need to do any of this. But he was saved from thinking too much when he saw her.
"Hello, Mr. Coach!" Rachel was waving at him as soon as he entered the shop.
Kite went next to her then said, "What should I do then? And please, stop calling me that."
"Okay MC," she shot back.
"Wait, what? MC?"
"Why? Sabi mo not to call you Mr. Coach anymore. So, MC for short."
"Huh? Well, nevermind."
"Okay, as to what you're going to do, upo ka lang sa likod ko tapos bigyan mo ako ng tips," she beamed at him. "Or pwede rin naman malaro ka ng Dota tapos party tayo. Turuan mo ako in-game—"
"Nasan yung upoan?" he cut her off.
"Andiyan sa may server, sabihin mo lang pinapakuha ni Miss Chaser," she snorted.
Kite went to get the chair. "Yung upoan daw po ni Ms. Chaser."
The server who has been looking intently at his computer, stopped to look at Kite. Then smiled teasingly.
"And who might you be? Boyfriend ni Rachel?"
"Ah kaibigan lang po."
"Well, diyan naman nagsisimula lahat eh."
"..."
Kite didn't answer as he doesn't have anything to say on that. More importantly, he's gotten the chair so he went back to sit behind Rachel.
Rachel only glanced at him for a moment, then went back to her computer. "Tulongan mo nga akong mamili ng hero, mid ako oh tapos yung katapat ko sa mid eh Templar Assasin," she said.
———
Ranked All pick in Dota started with a banning phase wherein everyone can pick a hero to nominate for banning. The system will randomly pick from these nominated heroes the ones that will be banned fom the game. After that, the picking phase. The picking phase has a sequence of 1-2-2-2-2-1. This states that a team will have the opportunity to pick a hero first. Then the opposing team, 2 heroes, then go back at them for their own two heroes, until the last pick is given for the team which didn't get the first pick.
During the pickings, most teams that has the firs pick advantage would usually use it to exploit meta heroes.
While in SEA server, they use this to decide who will get to play a certain hero. For example, if two players wanted to play both mid heroes, and only one mid-hero can be picked. Or if two or more persons want to use the same hero. The one who clicks the fastest, wins. He or she will get the chance to play that hero. Same toxicity. Culture. Cancers.
The pickings are always—except SEA server which isn't all the time—consisted of 3 cores and 2 supports.
First is the position 1/safelaner/carry which are the heroes who usually needs a lot of items before being active. They are usually babysitted by a position 5 or both pos 5 and pos 4 in a trilane. These heroes more or less decides the outcome in late games that's why they are the usual target for harassment, but are also the hardest because of the said helpers/supports. Next, we have the position 2/midlaner. These heroes usually scale efficiently from mid to late game. They are mostly high-mobility or burst types. They're like the catalysts which sets and quickens the tempo for both teams. They're also solo laners, having visitors only now and then. Then we have position 3/offlaner. These heroes are usually tanky as they need to sustain and be resilient in facing the hardest lane—the offlane. They are heroes who usually doesn't need a lot of items but only some key items for their power spike. Like dagger, or shadow blade, for example. These heroes are usually the ones to die the most at early games as they are facing the wrath of trilanes. Sometimes though, they are accompanied by a position 4 to make their lives a little easier. These heroes stands on the forefront of their teams, usually because they are the initiators in a team fight. Now we have the position 4/roamer. These heroes are usually equipped with 1 or more disables and mostly have high mobilities. They help their respective cores to gain an advantage and to keep pressure on the mini map. These heroes are also responsible for early rotation of wards as the position 5 will be protecting the carry at these times. Lastly, we have the position 5. These heroes are usually equipped with an ability to help protect/sustain the pos 1. Their main goal at laning phase is to protect the carry. They can also go together with the pos 4 for a gank every now and then, at midlane or at any lanes that needs ganking. These heroes, like those position 4, are the ones that are responsible for responding to their team's needs. Be it sacrificing their lives or golds. They don't tend to be item/experience dependent. They only need to have their great ultimates which are the greatest contributions that they can have in disrupting teamfights—usually.
The supports' mainly goal in a teamfight is to control the cores, and the cores, to take care of the supports that are easy to kill..
Well... in normal servers, that is. In SEA, nevermind.
———
Kite looked at the enemies' lineup.
"Hmm, Juggernaut, Witch Doctor, Bounty Hunter, Templar Assasin, and Axe on the dire side. Tapos Troll, Earth Spirit, Lich, and Tidehunter on the radiant," he thought. "Sino nga ulit yung favorite hero mo?"
"Lina," she proudly stated.
"Favorite mo ba siya dahil sa best hero mo siya or dahil sa hitsura niya?" he asked.
"Uhmm, both?" she answered. "Why do I feel like you're ridiculing me?"
He ignored her last sentence then said, "Use her."
"Why? Di ba mahirap na pantapat kay Lina yun kasi yung mga skill ko eh tig one-shot lang kaya madaling ma-negate nung refraction niya?" she asked. "Niloloko mo ba ako?"
Kite clicked his tongue then crossed his arms. He leaned on his chair to amplify his planned aura of a sage.
'Shuta ano ba tong ginagawa ko. Natatawa ako sa sarili ko.'
"Kapag pinili mo si Lina eh pretty much panalo na kayo, based on your draftings palang. Of course, that still depends on your execution. But an advantage is still an advantage, and it should be exploited," he said. "Stop thinking only about kung sino yung makakaharap mo sa mid. Look at the bigger picture."
"Huh, what do you mean? Could you please explain?" Rachel asked. But still chose to pick Lina as she's running out of time.
Kite sighed then proceeded to explain, "Your lineup is kind of solid. As you can see, you have a nice safelane carry paired with a good support which could help him sustain his lane. You also have a nice position 4 which could further enhance your pressure and map control. Your offlane will be great on teamfights."
Rachel was looking at him intently. Afraid that she might miss up an important detail. "So, why Lina? And please, human langugae... Mag-Tagalog ka naman."
Kite then again ignored her comment, "Troll Warlord, your carry doesn't have any significant skill/s for flash-farming, thus, he needs enough space and time to farm enough items. What you needed is a midlaner which could give him this. Active midlaners are the best, for they could divert the attention of the enemy team to themselves, thus giving your carry a comfortable surrounding. Plus, you have an Earth Spirit. He's best at ganking and initiating fights at your advantage. An aggressive support is best paired with an aggressive core to get the best result. This way, it's almost a sure-fire shut down to the enemy if they are not too careful against your ganks around all the lanes, and if they won't babysit their mid. What do you think are you lacking then?"
"Uhmm, burst?"
"Correct!" he said. It looks like you do have some brains. He kept his comment to himself. "That's why I told you to pick Lina. In your teamfights, a timed initiation of Ravage and Chain frost will keep your opponents in place or scattered. With this, you can isolate a key hero on them then burst him. Remeber to keep your distance. Besides, if you look at their lineup, aside from Axe and WD, they don't have any sure-stun. So Lina is fine. Lastly, if you could have your aghs timing earlier, the better. You can just burst the hell out of jugg even when he uses omnislash."
"But doesn't that mean na kailangan ko ng mobility para makapwesto agad tuwing clash at para rin makapag-gank ng maayos?"
"Yeah. That's why I prefer heroes like QOP, Invoker, Tinker, etc. Pero okay na din yung Lina. Kasi mastered mo na siya—kind of. It's a well-known fact na mas malaki yung winning percentage kapag ginamit mo yung best hero mo kesa sa mga bago sayong new-meta heroes."
"Okay. That sounds logical," she admitted. "Pero what if matalo ako nung Templar? Ehdi magiging katawa-tawa ako nito?"
Kite grinned then spread his arms then winked, "That's why I'm here."
"Che!" she warned. "Ayusin mo lang. Kasi kapag hindi, babatukan kita."
"Of course."
After the loading the game, it finally started.
"Block the creepwave," Kite said.
"Okay." Rachel answered.
"Don't just press stop all the time. Move from side to side too! That's not how you block, this is isn't Dota 1."
"Okay, okay. I'll try," she grunted.
After trying to block the creepwave just like how Kite describes, the creepwaves on both side eventually met on the highground of the dire side across the river.
"That's okay. Practice ka lang sa pag-block sa susunod mo na mga games, makukuha mo rin yan," Kite comforted Rachel. "Now, creep agrro."
"Hmmp."
"What do you think is your advangage against TA?" he threw a question at her.
"Magic?" she answered without even looking back.
"Nope, it's range and stun. You have a further attack range compared to TA with or without her 'Psi Blades'. Should she want to attack you, you can just kite her with your range."
"Oh."
"Level up your 'Light Strike Array'. Use this and distance to harrass her. Just keep on attacking her since she chose to level up Psi blades instead of Refraction. If she does choose to level up Refraction, make her use a defensive one. Keep your aggression and use your LSA to secure range creeps or for further harassment. Do not forget to use creep aggro to keep the creepwave on the river or at your advantage, and to keep yourself on highground. Remember, pay attention to her mana, and if you were to choose between a creep kill or deny, choose deny. That way, you'll level up faster than her."
"I'll keep that in mind. By the way, why mana?"
"To know if she still has enough for a Refraction. Your constant harassment should keep her at low health and mana. She'll have to buy salves and mana regen for that. If you think she's low enough and has just enough mana for a single refraction, bait her with an unfair trade. Just attack her to remove her refractions, then use your skills to finish her off. Just mind your health though."
"Okay."
"Also, I forgot. As you've mentioned earlier, you lack mobility. So have your supports buy you a sentry and to keep watch for potential ganks."
Kite noticed that Rachel is struggling. But still, she's trying to apply all that he's been saying to her.
"Harass. Creep aggro. Mana. Denies. Ba't ang dami naman?!" she murmured.
"You hired me. So you'll listen to me," Kite said as a-matter-of-factly.
"Tsk."
The Templar Assasin's health was always low just like what Kite said. Although Rachel was doing a good job, she's still far from being great cause she keeps on missing a creep here and there. Plus, she's been tanking quite some damage now.
"Don't just stand there. Keep moving! Also, mind the number of creeps. Don't trade if you knew that she's got more creeps than you. You're also squishy you know that?"
Kite threw advices constantly after some moments on Rachel.
Templar Assasin finally had a 50% health with 98 mana.
"Go for the trade," he nudged her.
"Now? But she's on highground," she frowned but still did as she was told. "Okay."
Seeing her asking for a trade, the Templar Assasin faced her head-on. Rachel attacked her with normal attacks only. Although Rachel has 82 percent health, the creepwaves are nearer to her, and Templar was on high ground, causing some of her attacks to miss. After having enough mana, TA also used refraction. This, resulted to an expected unfair trade for Rachel. Which is a bait, as Kite has said.
78% - 48%!
Refraction!
70% - 48%
60% - 48%
When Rachel's life reached 28%, her last strike finally broke the refraction.
"Now!" Kite shouted.
With Rachel being a level higher than TA, she finally has her ultimate, whereas TA was still level 5.
Light Strike Aray!
Hit!
Stunned.
Dragon Slave!
Laguna Blade!
Ching! The SFX for the energy traveling from Lina to TA through the Laguna Blade was heard. Though it has a delay of 0.25 seconds when casted, TA cannot do anything at this point.
Rachel has killed the Templar Assasin.
"I did it!" she exclaimed then suddenly hugged Kite.
"Argh!" Kite groaned.
Rachel hurriedly pull back, then placed her attention on the screen again. After composing herself, she said, "Ahem, normally it wouldn't have been easy for me to kill a Templar Assasin because I'm always level gapped and has low health because of harassment. Pero ngayon, hehe. Tsaka, thrilling pala kapag mamamatay ka na, pero napatay mo pa siya. Hahahahaha!"
Hearing her laugh, Kite smiled to let her relish her accomplishment for the moment. Afterwards, he reminded her, "Don't let your guard down, you haven't won yet. She'll respawn and will try to get back at you."
"I know. I know. Then I'll just do the same thing again," she declared.
"Nope, you wont," he cut her off.
"Huh, why?" she asked, confused.
"Well, you can still do it as long as she's not level 6 yet. Or if you were QOP or Invoker. Why? Because they have blink and other spells that are good for mobility. And you don't. That's why, you need to be extra cautious when she's got her ulti."
"Why? Can't I just place a sentry?"
"You may, but what if someone ganks you? She doesn't need to charge her trap but just release it after placing. Then they'll just run at you."
"I..." Rachel was at a loss for word. "So what do you want me to do?"
"Easy. Wait for a gank and kill her, or gank some lanes yourself. For short, roam," he shrugged. "Besides, QOP and Invoker is good because they can kill TA again and again. And since this is SEA server with toxic players, instead of farming, TA will be forced to defend mid because she will be flamed by her teammates. Thus, shutting her farm down and winning the game easily."
He added, "For you, this will be hard and you needed a helping hand. But you are not just stuck here though. Considering that TA could outfarm you that easily, you have to do what Lina is good at. And that is?"
"Killing. Oppressing."
"Very good."
The match went on with a lot of ups and downs. Although Kite was giving Rachel advices every now and then, it was still hard to put everything to good use at the very moment. Specially during clashes.
There was even a time when he shouted 'Laguna!' that startled Rachel which resulted to her clicking it on a creep. After being flamed by her teammates, she directed her rage to the reason behind it. Thus, Kite was glared at, and was hit by a fist on his shoulder.
After that, Kite decided to give Rachel advices when everything was calm. He also gave her tips for future clashes, and receded from doing it during one. He has learned his lesson.
The game ended with Rachel's team, the Radiant, winning. It wasn't easy unlike how Kite was imagining it. Well, relative to him. Considering the low rank tier—still relative to him, and the toxicity that's endemic to SEA servers, it was still on the expected range.
For Rachel, it was the easiest and most enjoying. Not only did she learn some new tricks, she also surpassed her average performance.
15-3-9!
She was very happy with the results. She glanced at Kite then said, "You're quite good, aren't you?"
"Of course. Ako pa," he said shamelessly.
"So, matagal ko nang gustong itanong to, ano nga pala yung rank mo?"
"Uhmm, bayad muna. Hehe."
"Che!" she stuck her tongue out then pulled out some cash from her pocket. "Ayan na oh! Kaya sabihin mo na."
Kite counted the money and when he confirmed that it was the right amount, he stood up then head for the door.
"Wait! Sabihin mo muna sakin, Kite!" Rachel pleaded.
Kite stopped then turned around. "Well, dahil di na 'Hacker' o 'Mama' yung tawag mo sakin ngayon—"
"Hehe," Rachel scratched her head.
"I'll tell you my rank."
Rachel's eyes beamed at him. It was glistening like a toddler who's excited in knowing what new toy she'll be receiving.
"My rank is...."
"Uhuh?"
"... Herald."
Pft!
"P*tanginamo Kite!" Rachel shouted then ran to him.
"Hahahhahahaha!" Kite was laughing as he ran for the exit. Once outside, she faced Rachel who's on the otherside of the transparent, glass door then shouted, "Bukas nalang ulit Miss Chaser! Hahaha!"
"Che!" Rachel growled. Rachel was annoyed but she also felt another feeling. And that was because...
... she's happy.
Finally. She has a goal. She'll be stronger. Strong as him.
———
As Kite was walking on his way home, he was reminiscing what has happened earlier. And he couldn't help but shiver at his thoughts.
'That girl is crazy. Ang bilis niyang matuto. Lahat ng mga sinabi ko ay mga theoretical statements lang. Pero ambilis niyang ma-apply sa laro. Shuta! May talent bang magaling sa pagdo-Dota? Kung meron, malamang meron siya nun. Hayst.'
His phone suddenly rang.
Ring! Ring! Ring!
Kite looked at who the caller was.
Unknown number.
'Sino kaya to? Baka scammer. Sagutin ko ba? Sigi na nga.'
"Hello."
"Kite? Ikaw ba to?"
'Familiar yung boses.'
"Ako nga si Kite. Sino to?"
"Ako to, si Sun—este si Leo."
"Ah, si Escanor."
"Huh?"
"Wala, wala! Oh, bakit ka napatawag?"
"Kasi..."
"... May gustong makipaglaro sa block natin."
"..."
###