GE vs DFM (0-1)
Map 1: Abyss (DFM’s Map Choice)
Score: 8-13 (DFM Wins)
Match Rating: ★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (3/10)
Match Summary
Let’s start with the positives. DFM demonstrated a strong understanding of their composition, particularly with their double-controller setup on attack. This approach allowed them to:
Deny information to GE consistently.
Force rotations and pressure GE players out of key positions.
The addition of KAY/O was also a great choice, offering potential as a hard counter to GE’s Chamber.
Now, let’s talk about Deryeon on Chamber—a player who became a critical focus of the match. Not only was Deryeon countered by agent selection, but he was also outplayed on a micro level throughout the game. DFM read him like an open Donald Duck comic, consistently:
Forcing him into predictable peeks using smokes.
Outsmarting him with clever repositions and utility usage.
As a result, GE struggled to get any value out of their sniper-sentinel setup, which hindered their ability to establish map control.
Defense Struggles for DFM
While DFM excelled on attack, their defense on A site left a lot to be desired:
The double-controller setup on A felt poorly executed, giving GE far too much space to work with.
GE skillfully abused this space, making A site a consistent weak point for DFM.
Additionally, unfortunate smoke placements negated much of the value from Sova’s utility, making it nearly impossible to hold A effectively.
This defensive mismanagement is something that DFM will need to address through a VOD review and coaching. It’s a clear area for improvement that could make them far more competitive in future matches.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I’m semi-impressed by DFM’s performance. Their attack showcased great compositional understanding and utility synergy, but their defensive setups—particularly on A site—were problematic and need fixing. That said, I’m looking forward to seeing how they perform in the next map.
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GE vs DFM (0-2)
Map 2: Split (GE’s Map Choice)
Score: 12-14 (DFM Wins)
Match Rating: ★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (1/10)
Match Summary
By the end of this match, I found myself clapping—not because it was entertaining, but because I was relieved we wouldn’t have to endure a third map.
Both teams struggled to apply sufficient pressure on attack to create consistent value, largely due to their double-sentinel compositions. While it’s understandable that their win conditions leaned heavily toward defense, the lack of proactive play on attack made the rounds feel lackluster. Most rounds were decided not by brilliant plays but by punished mistakes from the opponents.
Key Takeaways
Agent Selection: This match once again highlighted how much more effective Viper is at the pro level compared to Deadlock. It’s baffling to me that teams continue to choose Deadlock when Viper is available. The gap in utility value is glaring.
DFM’s Smokes:
On defense, DFM’s smokes were either poorly placed or entirely absent, creating unnecessary vulnerabilities.
On attack, their smokes were better timed and placed, similar to what we saw on Abyss. However, unlike on Abyss, where they ran Astra+Omen, they couldn’t replicate the same level of smoke pressure on Split. This is an area that clearly needs attention in their post-match review.
Final Thoughts
While neither team impressed on attack, DFM managed to endure and secure the win. This was far from a clean game, but they did enough to advance.
Looking ahead, DFM will face PRX next. Based on what I’ve seen from both teams, this could actually be a 50-50 matchup, depending on who can clean up their issues better.
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