en
Team Falcons Are the FISSURE Universe Episode 6 Champions
After nearly a week of fierce competition, Team Falcons have emerged as the champions of FISSURE Universe Episode 6! This marks an unexpected comeback after what has been a turbulent year for the team, and their victory could not have come at a better time — with The International 2025 just around the corner. Falcons secured a flawless 3-0 win in the Grand Finals against Team Spirit, cementing their resurgence on the biggest stages of Dota 2.
Team Falcons: Back on Track after FISSURE Universe
Let’s follow the champions’ path to the trophy. As noted in our Group Stage recap, Team Falcons placed 2nd in Group A, losing only to Team Spirit. At that moment, Spirit appeared to be the clear favorites, but Falcons already showed signs of recovery and growing confidence in their performance.
Even though they finished second, their performance mirrored that of Team Liquid, who topped Group B. This established that Falcons were firmly capable of competing with top Tier 1 teams, while still leaving room to improve ahead of their looming clash with Liquid.
In the Playoffs, Falcons started strong by defeating Aurora Gaming 2-1 in a series of fast-paced matches. The results went back and forth, with Falcons initially taking the lead, before closing things out decisively. Next came PARIVISION, whom Falcons edged out 2-1 across three long and grueling maps. This victory not only highlighted Falcons’ resilience but also hinted at PARIVISION’s struggles as they slid further from their earlier heights.
The Lower Bracket Finals brought perhaps Falcons’ most impressive feat of the event. Facing Team Liquid, they secured a convincing 2-0 victory, proving their momentum was no fluke. For Liquid, this was yet another setback, casting doubts on their ability to live up to the expectations of potentially becoming three-time TI champions. For Falcons, meanwhile, the triumph set the stage for a Grand Finals showdown where they carried undeniable momentum.
Team Spirit: Favorites Derailed
On the other side, Team Spirit played the role of favorites perfectly — at least at first. They finished 1st in Group A with a flawless record, even defeating Team Falcons with relative ease. Yet sometimes an early victory only delays a bigger challenge, and Falcons clearly learned from their loss in the group stage.
In the Playoffs, Spirit had only one series to win before reaching the Grand Finals: their clash against Team Liquid. In a tense series, Spirit prevailed 2-1, sending Liquid to the Lower Bracket. However, Liquid’s ability to pressure Spirit with a faster tempo exposed a weakness in the reigning favorites. Despite Spirit’s advancement, cracks had already begun to show in their armor.
Ultimately, Spirit reached the Grand Finals ahead of Falcons, but the eventual outcome demonstrated that their aura of invincibility had been overstated. The Grand Finals revealed their vulnerabilities in a way that no group stage could have predicted.
Grand Finals: Falcons Rewrite the Script
The Grand Finals began with a statement win by Team Falcons, taking the first map in just under 50 minutes. While slightly longer than the average 30–40 minutes we’ve seen in recent months, the pace-setting was clear. Falcons controlled the tempo, forcing Spirit to play reactively.
From there, Falcons turned the series into a masterclass. The next two games concluded in about 36 minutes each, showcasing their dominance and their ability to dictate the pace. Crucially, their strategies seemed to lean on Sneyking’s Pugna as a hard support and skiter’s Dragon Knight, paired with the Corrosive Dragon Facet, enabling quick objective pressure and relentless pushing.
The formula was simple but effective: prevent Spirit from finding their usual rhythm in teamfights, and instead overwhelm them with faster, objective-focused gameplay. By executing this plan to perfection, Team Falcons secured a clean 3-0 sweep and claimed the FISSURE Universe Episode 6 Playoffs championship.
What Does This Mean Ahead of The International 2025?
This victory sends shockwaves through the competitive Dota 2 landscape. For Team Falcons, the win represents proof that they can still contend with the best. After months of inconsistency, their return to form could not have been better timed. They are no longer just hopefuls — they are legitimate contenders for TI 2025.
For Team Spirit, the result is a humbling setback. Though they still look strong, they must now adapt. Their inability to handle rapid pushing strategies highlights a vulnerability that other teams will undoubtedly seek to exploit at The International 2025. Spirit will either need to force more decisive teamfights or adjust to a potential meta where fast pushing plays a central role.
Team Liquid, meanwhile, remain caught between brilliance and frustration. Their loss to Falcons will sting, but their victory against Spirit suggests they are still capable of playing spoiler. They must now focus on refining consistency if they hope to challenge for the Aegis once again.
As for PARIVISION, the struggles continue. Once considered a rising force, their decline has become more evident as The International approaches. To check how was the tournament meta and some possibilities for The International 2025, join us on the news section of the Strafe website!
Featured Image Source: Twitter (@fissure_eng)