The grand stage of The International 2025 is often home to thrilling plays, monumental comebacks, and, occasionally, strategic gambles that leave spectators and seasoned professionals alike scratching their heads. In the fiercely contested Grand Finals between Dota 2 titans Xtreme Gaming and Team Falcons, one such moment transpired, immediately sparking a fiery debate. It was the crucial fourth map, and Team Falcons unveiled an offlane Ursa pick — a choice that drew an immediate, unfiltered, and rather pessimistic reaction from Xtreme Gaming`s formidable coach, Zhang “Xiao8” Ning.
Ursa, the powerful Agility hero known for his rapid damage output and prowess in taking down Roshan, is almost exclusively played in the carry or jungle roles. Placing him in the offlane, typically reserved for heroes focused on disrupting enemy farm, initiating fights, or providing utility, is a rare and often risky maneuver. It implies a specific strategy: perhaps an aggressive lane, an unexpected tempo play, or a synergy with other heroes that Falcons believed would catch Xtreme Gaming off guard. Or, as some might cynically suggest, a moment of grand finals delirium.
Following the draft for the fourth game, Xiao8 was candidly asked for his thoughts on Falcons` unorthodox pick. His response was anything but diplomatic. With the series score already standing at 2-1 in favor of Xtreme Gaming, the pressure on Falcons was immense, and Xiao8`s confidence seemed unwavering.
“What do you think about the opponent`s Ursa offlane pick?”
“I think they will get wrecked like nothing.”
This blunt assessment not only revealed Xiao8`s conviction in his team`s draft but also served as a psychological volley in the high-stakes battle of wits. Such a public declaration from a veteran coach during a Grand Final is a rare peek into the competitive mind games that define professional Dota 2.
The International 2025, running from September 4th to 14th in Germany, represents the pinnacle of Dota 2 competition, with 16 elite teams battling for a minimum $2.6 million prize pool — a sum augmented by community contributions through in-game bundles. For both Xtreme Gaming and Team Falcons, this Grand Final is the culmination of a year`s worth of effort, strategy, and relentless practice. Xtreme Gaming`s early lead (winning game one, losing game two, and reclaiming the lead in game three) set the stage for this pivotal game four, making every strategic decision, including Falcons` Ursa pick, scrutinized under the brightest of spotlights.
The offlane Ursa, while surprising, could hypothetically offer Falcons a strong laning phase against certain matchups, aiming to snowball early and apply immense pressure. However, it equally presents challenges, particularly if Ursa struggles to secure farm or becomes a target for focused ganks. Xiao8`s dismissal suggests he believes Xtreme Gaming has precisely the tools to counter such a strategy, perhaps viewing it as a miscalculation rather than an inspired gamble. The question now looms: will Team Falcons` bold, perhaps even audacious, choice pay off, or will Xiao8`s grim prediction unfold, adding another chapter to the lore of unconventional TI picks gone awry? Only the unfolding game would provide the definitive answer.
In the world of professional Dota 2, where fine margins determine champions, a single draft decision can shift the momentum of an entire series. Xiao8`s immediate and unequivocal reaction to the offlane Ursa pick has certainly injected an extra layer of drama into The International 2025 Grand Finals, leaving fans on the edge of their seats, eager to witness the strategic chess match play out.
Finley Holt