M3C brimstone pick on icebox

in M3C's recent icebox match they played brimstone to counter the G2 comp which is triple sentinels (I linked the match below)
The triple smokes came in cutch for Redgar to hold down a site so i was wondering why not play Astra instead which could possibly give u 4 smokes to hold and u can use double smokes to deny vision for the enemy team when they move back like Redgar did with brimstone

I also think they can replicate other brimstones success Astra as well such as pull or concuss to stall the plant or hold backside players form throwing util. maybe its a braindead thought but i think if playing against g2 icebox comp Astra would be a better pick.

https://www.vlr.gg/99584/natus-vincere-vs-m3-champions-champions-tour-stage-2-emea-challengers-group-stage-week-2/?game=83763&tab=overview

Brim has three smokes that last 19.25 seconds while Astra has two that last 14.25 seconds. Their kits are completely different as well for different playstyle

Verticality on Icebox renders Astra utility outside of her smokes extremely weak + 16seconds more smoke time with Brimstone on top of the smokes being harder to push through.

its like free A site denial for 60 minutes, esp when NAVI dont have flashes or duelists to close the gap

nvm i just tried both agents out and brim is way better for holding down the site and denying plant, astra smokes are too big to make good one ways as compared to brimstones. But Astra smokes being larger are way stronger when denying vision to the sentinels when they go backsite to hold the bomb w utility

I think few analysts covered this topic, I just haven't had time to watch it, but based on the VOD it really boils down to anchoring A and stacking bodies prior to the third smoke disappearing, and on the attack, he is utilized for late-round site explosion, which compliments M3C / GMB's playstyle.

Astra would not be able to anchor as efficiently on Icebox, and on the attack, it does not help their playstyle of overwhelming the site with bodies, as whoever would be playing Astra, would need to stick behind them. Plus, Chronicle is very much known for his ability to make Brimstone as efficient as any smoker, even prior to his buff, so there is a lot of comfort on him.

They would sacrifice a lot of what makes them, well, them, by playing Astra instead.

There’s a youtuber that made a fantastic video on this not too long ago, he’s very underrated

https://youtu.be/klAaz77uxzw

cool