As the Riyadh Masters 2025 transitions into its high-stakes playoff bracket, the esports community eagerly awaits expert analysis. Among those weighing in is Dota 2 caster Vladislav “BLACKARXANGEL” Ivashchenko, who recently shared his frank opinions on the remaining contenders via his Telegram channel. His insights, while direct, offer a fascinating, sometimes critical, look at the strengths and weaknesses of teams vying for the $3 million prize pool.
BLACKARXANGEL`s analysis covered several prominent teams, offering concise yet pointed remarks:
A Controversial Call on Team Falcons
Perhaps his most attention-grabbing statement concerned **Team Falcons**. In a notably blunt assessment, BLACKARXANGEL declared that the team “won`t play well until they change Cr1t-“. This direct call for a roster change, specifically targeting the position four support player Andreas “Cr1t-” Nielsen, stands out as a significant critique amidst the general tournament analysis and highlights a perceived fundamental issue preventing Falcons from reaching their potential in the caster`s view.
Critiques and Compliments for Other Contenders
Turning his attention to other squads, BLACKARXANGEL offered mixed reviews:
- **Team Spirit:** Noted for having “weak laning” and “average drafts,” suggesting their success might hinge on securing specific comfort heroes like Shadow Fiend or Terrorblade.
- **Gaimin Gladiators:** Acknowledged the prowess of their mid laner Quinn “Quinn” Callahan, suggesting he “can 1v9” and potentially even overcome BetBoom`s formidable gpk. However, he didn`t pull punches on their early game, including a rather direct appeal for one player to curb unnecessary aggression.
- **BetBoom Team:** Praised their continued strength in the laning phase, with BLACKARXANGEL ranking Danil “gpk” Skutin as the current number one mid laner.
- **Team Liquid:** Described as the “strangest team overall,” they are paradoxically viewed as potential tournament favorites, albeit with a caveat that BetBoom could catch them out in a semifinal match.
- **PARIVISION:** Seen as being in a general slump, yet they showed resilience against Xtreme. Their mid and support synergy was identified as a strong point.
- **Aurora Gaming:** Believed to have the potential to “surprise,” with BLACKARXANGEL anticipating some prepared strategic plays from them.
- **Tundra Esports:** Received a less enthusiastic review, with the caster feeling that Leon “Nine” Kirilin, Neta “33” Shapira, and the company haven`t “invented anything cool” at this event, humorously excluding their use of specific heroes like Visage (“except the spider”).
While concise, BLACKARXANGEL`s comments provide a raw, unfiltered perspective from someone deeply embedded in the Dota 2 competitive scene. His willingness to call out perceived weaknesses, including the controversial suggestion regarding Team Falcons, adds another layer of intrigue as the Riyadh Masters 2025 playoffs unfold. Whether his predictions hold true remains to be seen, but his analysis certainly gives fans and analysts alike something to consider as the fight for the championship title intensifies in Saudi Arabia.
The Riyadh Masters 2025 playoffs, featuring the top eight teams, commenced on July 16th, continuing the battle for the substantial prize pool in what is a key event within the Esports World Cup 2025 framework.
