Nigma Galaxy’s Surprise Run Raises Eyebrows
BLAST Slam II brought electrifying moments, unexpected upsets, and a meta shift that left fans and analysts debating strategies. The second installment of the BLAST Slam series featured ten invited teams battling it out in Copenhagen’s BLAST Studios for a $1 million prize pool. However, one of the biggest talking points heading into the event was the selection process for invites.
Some fans were left baffled as Nigma Galaxy received an invitation over Team Spirit and AVULUS, despite their superior recent performances in Tier 1 tournaments. Team Spirit’s manager, Korb3n, clarified that neither team withdrew but simply never received an invite. The controversy only intensified when Miracle- was forced to miss the event due to illness, leading to Ghost stepping in as a stand-in, much like he did at Clavision: Snow Ruyi.
The tournament also saw a shift in regional representation. Two Chinese teams, Xtreme Gaming and Yakult Brothers, secured invites, doubling China’s presence while South America missed out, with HEROIC notably absent. Meanwhile, Talon Esports marked Southeast Asia’s first appearance at BLAST Slam, expanding the event’s global reach.
Group Stage: Color-Coordinated Chaos?
Reddit users humorously pointed out that the group draw seemed to align with team color schemes, but regardless of aesthetics, the group stage delivered shocking results.
Among the biggest surprises was Nigma Galaxy’s dominant form, securing victories againstTeam Falcons, Xtreme Gaming, and PARIVISION. Their resurgence evoked memories of their peak in 2019. Meanwhile, Gaimin Gladiators also went 3-1, losing only to Team Falcons but still securing first place based on Neustadtl score.
Group A was a tightly contested battle. Tundra Esports and Yakult Brothers both won three matches, with Yakult’s Ame showcasing creativity by successfully using carry Beastmaster twice. The tournament also saw an unexpected resurgence of Abaddon in the meta. Ghost, standing in for Miracle-, demonstrated Abaddon’s strength as a carry, leading Nigma Galaxy to a crucial win over Team Falcons.
Additionally, invisibility-based support heroes like Nyx Assassin, Riki, and Bounty Hunter became pivotal for map control, reflecting an evolving vision game among top-tier teams.
Playoffs: Nigma Galaxy’s Cinderella Run Ends
The Playoffs saw slower-paced matches compared to the group stage, but Abaddon’s rise in popularity continued. Both Yakult Brothers and Team Falcons utilized Abaddon as a carry in their showdown, with Team Falcons securing a 2-0 victory.
Meanwhile, Nigma Galaxy proved doubters wrong yet again, eliminating PARIVISION 2-1. Their success with Ghost prompted community debates on whether the team was actually better off without Miracle-.
The semifinals saw Tundra Esports end Nigma Galaxy’s fairy-tale run with a 2-1 victory, while Gaimin Gladiators overpowered Team Falcons 2-0, setting up a blockbuster Grand Final between two tournament powerhouses.
Grand Final: Tundra Esports’ Domination Continues
The highly anticipated Grand Final pitted Tundra Esports against Gaimin Gladiators, setting the stage for an intense rematch between dyrachyo and his former team. The narrative was clear: Gaimin Gladiators hadn’t beaten Tundra Esports in their last seven encounters—six of which had dyrachyo on their roster.
Unfortunately for Gaimin Gladiators, history repeated itself, and the series was anything but close. Tundra Esports steamrolled their way to a 3-0 victory, marking their second consecutive Tier 1 tournament win. Their dominance solidified them as the team to beat in upcoming competitions, while Gaimin Gladiators were left searching for answers after another defeat.
For more about this tournament check out Liquidpedia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the format of BLAST Slam II?
The tournament featured ten invited teams split into two groups playing Best of One matches for seeding into a King of the Hill/Gauntlet Playoff format.
Why was Nigma Galaxy invited over Team Spirit and AVULUS?
BLAST’s selection process raised questions as Nigma Galaxy was invited despite Team Spirit and AVULUS having better Tier 1 results. Team Spirit’s manager confirmed they were not invited rather than declining participation.
Who won BLAST Slam II?
Tundra Esports won BLAST Slam II, defeating Gaimin Gladiators 3-0 in the Grand Final, securing their second consecutive Tier 1 tournament victory.
Which teams surprised the most in the tournament?
Nigma Galaxy shocked fans by defeating several top teams and reaching the playoffs. Yakult Brothers also impressed with innovative strategies, including Ame’s carry Beastmaster pick.
What were the key meta shifts during BLAST Slam II?
Abaddon rose in popularity as a carry choice, while invisibility-based supports like Nyx Assassin, Riki, and Bounty Hunter became common picks for vision control.
