Riyadh Masters Group Stage Report: Three Armor Reductions? No Problem! XG Defeats BB

Match Overview: In the first game, despite XG being targeted early on, the economy of their Sven and Shadow Demon didn’t fall behind. BB’s forced tower push in mid-game squandered their advantage and disrupted their rhythm. After Sven became unstoppable, he decimated BB’s three melee heroes, sealing the victory. In the second game, XG’s fifth position Sven countered BB’s physical armor reduction lineup. With TB and Crimson Guard Centaur wreaking havoc in the mid-game, they were virtually invulnerable, and BB was overwhelmed in less than 30 minutes.

The lineups for the first game were as follows:

In the mid-lane, Dragon Knight versus Shadow Demon; in the top lane, Doom and Batrider against Sven and Oracle; and in the bottom lane, Huskar and Windrunner against Brewmaster and Riki.

At the start, XG gained an advantage in last-hitting, but Doom and Batrider proved too powerful, securing a double kill at level four by tower diving. BB’s supports also frequently ganked Shadow Demon, leaving XG completely disadvantaged.

After Dragon Knight acquired Blink Dagger, he led the supports on frequent ganks, disrupting XG’s rhythm. At 16 minutes, BB initiated with fog of war, catching Sven. XG rushed to save him, counter-killing Dragon Knight, but failed to kill Huskar after chasing him down the lane. Instead, they were caught off guard by Doom, resulting in another Shadow Demon death.

However, BB’s aggression was hasty. At 18 minutes, they tower dived to kill Brewmaster. Sven and Shadow Demon retaliated, killing Doom. Huskar attempted to engage Sven but couldn’t activate Ethereal Blade in time and was instantly killed by Sven. Shadow Demon pursued and killed Dragon Knight, wiping out BB’s three core heroes and securing the Roshan. The tide began to turn in XG’s favor.

Sven gradually became unstoppable, posing no fear against BB in direct confrontations. At 31 minutes, XG secured the Aegis again. BB attempted to contest it but crumbled immediately. Sven activated BKB and mowed down Doom and Dragon Knight, pushing directly into BB’s high ground and effortlessly destroying the middle and bottom lanes.

After respawning, BB charged out. Batrider and Huskar initiated on Riki, but Brewmaster supported him with Hex and Micro Mist, preventing his death. Huskar and Dragon Knight were instead overwhelmed by Sven. After Huskar’s death, BB conceded defeat, typing GG.

The lineups for the second game were as follows:

In the mid-lane, Shadow Demon versus TA; in the top lane, Centaur and Riki against Slardar and Oracle; and in the bottom lane, TB and Sven against Tidehunter and Puck.

During laning phase, XG maintained their advantage, with Chaos being harassed by Riki, falling significantly behind in last-hits. BB’s ganks were ineffective, while Sven and Riki constantly ambushed the mid-lane, preventing BB from gaining any traction.

After Tidehunter acquired Blink Dagger, BB initiated with fog of war, securing two kills on the supports, then secured the Aegis. Once Centaur and Shadow Demon had Blink Daggers, XG countered with fog of war, instantly killing TA’s Aegis. Under Sven’s Battle Cry buff, Centaur and TB were invulnerable in the front line. All three of BB’s core heroes were wiped out, and XG had a 7K lead at 19 minutes.

The unstoppable TB and Shadow Demon started to siege the high ground at 24 minutes. Seeing they were no match, BB conceded the bottom lane. XG gave BB no chance, continuing the siege after TB secured the Aegis. The 50 armor TB stood invincible, tearing down towers without taking damage. Chaos and TA desperately initiated on TB, using all their abilities but failed to kill him, only to be wiped out by Shadow Demon’s ultimate. BB had no choice but to type GG.