The air in Germany was thick with anticipation, the weight of a year’s tireless effort culminating on the grand stage of The International 2025. Two titan teams, Xtreme Gaming and Team Falcons, stood on the precipice of Dota 2 immortality. With millions on the line and legacies at stake, every hero pick, every strategic nuance, was dissected with surgical precision. It was amidst this pressure cooker that Team Falcons made a decision in the crucial fourth game of the Grand Finals that would send ripples through the competitive scene: the selection of Ursa as an offlaner.
A Bold Gambit on the Grandest Stage
For those unfamiliar with the intricate ballet of Dota 2 strategy, Ursa is typically known as a potent carry hero—a relentless damage dealer designed to obliterate opponents in close quarters, usually farmed in the safelane or midlane. His early game strength and scaling potential make him a terror when he gets his core items. To pivot him into the offlane, a role often reserved for heroes focused on disruption, tankiness, or initiation, is a move that, to put it mildly, raises eyebrows. One might wonder if Team Falcons was aiming for a stroke of genius or merely testing the limits of strategic absurdity under immense pressure.
Xiao8`s Unvarnished Assessment
The match was already a nail-biter. After three grueling maps, Xtreme Gaming held a precarious 2-1 lead, just one step away from the coveted Aegis of Champions. The tension was palpable, and every fan, analyst, and rival coach was scrutinizing the draft phase. When Zhang “Xiao8” Ning, the legendary coach of Xtreme Gaming, known for his tactical brilliance and remarkably blunt honesty, was asked about Team Falcons’ unconventional Ursa offlane pick, his response was as swift and brutal as an Assassin`s Blade. He didn’t mince words, delivering a verdict that left little to the imagination:
“[Question: `What do you think about the enemy`s Ursa offlane pick?`] I think they will be wiped out like trash.”
Such a declaration from a figure as revered as Xiao8 is more than just an opinion; it`s a strategic commentary, a psychological jab, and a testament to his confidence in his own team`s ability to counter perceived weaknesses. His words, delivered in the heat of a grand final interview, underscored the profound disagreement with Falcons` strategic direction, painting their bold move as a fatal flaw rather than a cunning surprise.
The Psychology of High-Stakes Drafting
In the high-octane world of professional Dota 2, hero drafting is a chess match played at hyper-speed. Teams often attempt “pocket picks” or unconventional strategies to catch opponents off guard, especially in high-stakes elimination games. Team Falcons` Ursa offlane could have been an attempt to exploit a perceived weakness in Xtreme Gaming’s lineup or to force them into uncomfortable engagements. However, as Xiao8`s reaction suggests, such gambits carry immense risk. A failed unconventional pick in a Grand Finals can quickly unravel a team`s entire strategy, turning potential genius into demonstrable folly.
The International 2025, held from September 4 to 14 in Germany, brought together 16 of the world`s best Dota 2 teams to battle for a prize pool exceeding $2.6 million, augmented by community contributions. Every moment, every decision, from the smallest skirmish to the most audacious hero pick, contributed to the epic narrative of this championship.
Beyond the Meta: Innovation vs. Stability
Xiao8`s direct critique highlights an enduring debate in competitive Dota 2: the balance between innovative, off-meta strategies and tried-and-true stability. While innovation can break open stale metas and secure unexpected victories, the Grand Finals of The International is often seen as a crucible where only the most refined and robust strategies survive. A controversial pick like Ursa offlane forces teams to adapt on the fly, testing their flexibility and composure under unimaginable pressure.
Ultimately, Xiao8`s immediate and unequivocal dismissal of Falcons` choice speaks volumes about the strategic mind of a champion coach. Whether Team Falcons` Ursa offlane proved to be a stroke of brilliance or, as Xiao8 bluntly predicted, a path to being “wiped out like trash,” it certainly added a layer of unforgettable drama to an already legendary Grand Final.