Gameplay Experiments at BLAST Slam I: Tundra Esports' Creative Approach

The Western European team Tundra Esports, runners-up at the BLAST Slam I tournament with a $200,000 prize, drew attention not only for their performance but also for their hero selection strategy. Renowned for their tactical flexibility, the team shared insights and experiences of using unconventional heroes in Dota 2, such as Magnus and Terrorblade, in unexpected roles.

Terrorblade in the Off-lane: A Challenge for 33

The team's off-laner, Israeli player Neta "33" Shapira, discussed the challenges of playing Terrorblade in the third position during an interview:

"[Why does he work for some and not for others?] I think it depends on who is playing him and how they understand the hero. Terrorblade is quite easy to play when you're dominating and playing as the primary core. But when things aren't going so well, it requires a deeper understanding of the hero to play effectively from behind."

In the first map of the grand finals, 33 attempted to use Terrorblade, but his performance ended with a KDA of 2/4/7, which clearly did not benefit the team. He admitted that the hero has become less effective following nerfs to key targets like Luna and Shadow Fiend, who were previously prime opponents.

Russian professional player Nikita "Daxak" Kuzmin, known for his prowess with Terrorblade in ranked matches (boasting a 76.9% win rate across 13 games in the last eight days), humorously commented on Shapira's performance:

"I really hope that after these games on those heroes, 33 doesn't stop watching my streams."

Magnus: A Versatile Choice by Saksa

While the Terrorblade experiment proved unsuccessful, Macedonian player Martin "Saksa" Sazdov shared his experiences with Magnus in various roles. He believes the hero can be effective both as a core and a support:

"I think the hero works both as a core and a support. He reminds me of Tiny in some ways, which makes me want to keep playing him. I’ve been spamming him quite successfully, so I feel he suits me."

Saksa also highlighted the importance of mastering Magnus’ ultimate ability, Reverse Polarity:

"I used to always pick Reverse Reverse Polarity because I didn’t know how to use Reverse Polarity. The first option seemed easier to apply. But since I’ve improved with Magnus, I always go for the standard Reverse Polarity. It feels like RRP is for noobs, while the proper Reverse Polarity is for players like Collapse."

BLAST Slam I: Final Results

Despite their experimental strategies, Tundra Esports lost to BetBoom Team in the grand finals with a score of 1-3. The team lacked consistency in executing their plans, but their inventive ideas and creative drafts remain integral to their identity.

The tournament, held in Copenhagen from 26 November to 1 December, served as a vibrant conclusion to the professional Dota 2 season. With a total prize pool of $1,000,000, Tundra Esports secured $200,000 for their second-place finish.

The team's gameplay experiments sparked lively discussions within the community and demonstrated that innovative strategies and bold drafts continue to be key elements of competitive Dota 2.