Caster Austin “Cap” Walsh demonstrated how to use a move in the current Dota 2 patch that was infamously used during TI 3
Austin “Cap” Walsh, aka the Capitalist, is a familiar face to Dota 2 fans. The 33-year-old has been a part of every The International broadcast talent since 2014. In a recent post on X, he showcased a maneuver that sparked significant controversy during TI 3, a year before his debut as a TI caster.
Cap Shows The Return of Fountain Hook
Cap showcased an innovative method of utilizing Batrider’s lasso ability in Dota 2. This technique, known as the Fountain Hook, allows players to pull an enemy hero from the low ground directly to their fountain. The maneuver involves the coordination of three heroes: Batrider, Muerta, and Keeper of the Light.
Fountain hooks are back pic.twitter.com/S9UW2p29aP
— Cap (@CapCasts) December 3, 2023
The TI 3 Fountain Hook: What Happened?
The highly controversial Fountain Hook trick gained notoriety during The International 2013. In a critical match against TongFu, NAVI found themselves on the brink of defeat on the deciding map. In a last-ditch effort, they resorted to this audacious tactic as their final hope.
Danil “Dendi” Ishutin’s mastery of the Pudge was central to this move. Dendi utilized Pudge’s hook ability in conjunction with Clement “Puppey” Ivanov’s Chen, who adeptly timed teleports to NAVI’s fountain. With precision and coordination, Dendi would hook opposing heroes just as Puppey initiated the teleport, yanking enemies across the map and directly into the waiting jaws of the fountain’s deadly damage.
Credit: Dota 2 Official YouTube
This unforeseen strategy caught TongFu off guard, and the repeated execution of this tactic began to turn the tide. Despite being on the brink of defeat, NAVI orchestrated a remarkable comeback, capitalizing on the disarray caused by the fountain hooks. The momentum shifted dramatically, leading NAVI to secure a remarkable victory in that pivotal game. This moment has since become etched in the annals of Dota 2 history as an awe-inspiring display of skill, timing, and strategic innovation.
Valve rolled out an update after the TI 3 semifinal battle between NAVI and TongFu to fix the Fountain Hook. Will they do the same again, or decide to keep it and add a layer of excitement to the gameplay? We need to wait and find out.