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Tundra did it again: BLAST Slam 3 champions look unstoppable as TI approaches

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Tundra survived a Falcons late push to claim victory at BLAST Slam 3.

Team Falcons, one of the top teams globally, couldn’t prevent Tundra from being crowned champions at BLAST Slam 3. It wasn’t a typical landslide victory; the 3-1 scoreline might have been tighter if Falcons had capitalized on the leads they established in game two.

In summary, the overall series showcased an innovative take on the game’s meta, yet Ringmaster, who was the most selected hero throughout the tournament, surprisingly did not make it to the grand final. Teams like Falcons and Tundra demonstrated that the stealth-based or “invis-meta” strategy was robust, with heroes such as Bounty Hunter, Mirana, and Riki playing crucial roles in numerous matches.

What strategies did Tundra use to become the BLAST Slam 3 champions?

To begin with, what an incredibly narrow series! The preliminary skirmish between these squads was exceptionally tight and both teams showed remarkable adaptability when it counted the most. Initially, the Falcons employed a strategy to outmaneuver their opponents, selecting Doom in two matches specifically to disrupt Tundra’s calculated approach since they were the only team using this hero as a carry.

When they found that it wouldn’t function as planned, their alternative move was to outright prohibit it and focus on selecting characters within their preferred territory, all while hindering Tundra’s late-game drafts. With heroes like Ursa and Riki, the situation reversed, forcing Tundra to innovate new strategies to emerge victorious at BLAST Slam 3.

Here’s a quick summary of how the games went, with some exciting clips you won’t want to miss!

Game 1: The idea was perfect. The execution… Not so much.

The strategy we had in mind was straightforward: Select Dark Seer specifically to neutralize Razor and Medusa in the off-lane. With his Surge ability, Dark Seer can boost the entire team’s mobility for each ensuing team fight, thanks to the increased speed. On the other hand, Razor relies heavily on control to inflict damage.

Essentially, all that was required was for ATF to proceed cautiously, accumulate experience, and eventually merge with the team. However, as everyone is aware, ATF isn’t a player who prefers to wait. Consequently, he racked up two deaths before reaching level two, and enemies consistently targeted him to exclude him from team skirmishes. Tundra dominated the initial match quite effortlessly.

All that was needed was for ATF to move slowly, gain experience, and join forces with the team. But since we all know that ATF isn’t a patient player, he quickly found himself in two deaths before leveling up twice, while opponents kept attacking him to keep him out of battles. Tundra won the first game easily.

Game 2: The Tusk show

In the second game, Saksa nearly played flawlessly, or as good as it gets. Tundra’s subtle support player disrupted Falcons terribly during the laning phase, making it almost impossible to compete. Every time he moved around, it signaled an imminent kill.

To tell you the truth, I found this latest game a bit more challenging compared to the last one. My team, the Falcons, seized every opportunity we got, attempting to catch up. A couple of team battles swung in our favor, extending the match significantly.

However, Saksa’s swift response provided Tundra with an advantage throughout the game. By the final whistle, he was awarded MVP status, and it seemed appropriate to show some respect by implementing a respect ban for Game 3. The Falcons were playing their final match in the BLAST Slam 3 championship.

Game 3: Tricks of the Trade

Falcons devised a strategy to counteract Saksa’s influence across the map, which primarily involved the hero who reigned supreme throughout the tournament: Riki. Additionally, they ensured the pick of Ursa, a favorite for Skiter to play one of his most potent heroes. The ensuing gameplay was nothing short of a crushing victory, epitomizing a total rout.

In a short while, Ursa proved to be nearly indestructible, while Crystal Maiden continued her winning spree. When your supporting character contributes almost the same influence and wealth as your main carry, it’s clear that the game is all but lost.

Instead, it’s more likely that people won’t recall the match due to the Falcons’ play. Rather, conversations will center around ATF discovering a glitch on the map, which hinders Pangolier from bouncing. Indeed, it seems we’re still in the beta phase!

Game 4: SO CLOSE!!!

The final round of the BLAST Slam 3 showcased an array of spectacular plays: ATF showcasing his top hero, Bzm making a remarkable return with Invoker, the powerful duo of PA and Warlock, and Sneyking’s strategic Mirana in position 5. This intense battle was orchestrated by coaches Moonmeander and Aui_2000.

In Tundra’s lane against Phantom Assassin, they had a clear advantage at the start. The bottom lane ended up even due to some well-timed Sun Strikes and shackles from a casual player. Unfortunately for Bzm, Malrine’s Dragon Knight denied them most of their farmable creeps. However, the game shifted in Tundra’s favor once Invoker could use Cataclysm.

Unfortunately for me, ATF was farmed out. I didn’t pay much attention to my lane, instead focusing on gathering resources that transformed me into a lethal force. My Timbersaw became an essential tool in our arsenal alongside the Dragon Knight. Together, we left a trail of destruction, making quick work of any hero we encountered. With Cr1t’s Shadow Demon working alongside us, we were virtually indestructible.

As a gamer, let me tell you, it was only a matter of time until the Phantom Assassin pick proved its worth. Her Fan of Knives ability made taking down the tankiest heroes in Falcon’s lineup feel like a breeze during the right initiation. In the end, employing this strategy allowed Tundra to wipe out Team Falcons and claim the title as BLAST Slam 3 champions.

Upcoming Dota 2 tournaments after the BLAST Slam 3

After wrapping up my first-ever Tier One victory at the tournament with Tundra, I can hardly contain my excitement! Coming up in May, there are two major events on the horizon that I can hardly wait to tackle.

  • FISSURE Universe Ep.5 Play-ins: May 12 to 18,
  • DreamLeague S26: May 19 to Jun. 1,

Unfortunately, Tundra is stepping back from the upcoming DreamLeague tournament to rest and recharge. However, stay tuned for updates about all Dota 2 tournaments in our dedicated section!

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2025-05-12 06:25

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