9 weeks of Invite matches have narrowed 9 teams (RIP dead teams) into 4 teams and seeded them appropriately into this, the playoffs of ESEA Invite S25. In Round 1 of the Upper Bracket, we see 2nd seed Ascent challenged by 3rd Seed Gnomercy.
Ascent are the same old team as always: Heavy damaging soldiers (or engineers), Bdonski raining sticky hell on his enemies, and scouts with the DM to clean it up and put out a bit more damage of their own. They've had a great regular season, going 14-2 with one loss each to froyotech and Faint Gaming. Opponents Gnomercy are a mix of long-time Invite vets and players with about a year of Invite experience to their names. The gnomes certainly don't lack in the dm or damage departments but have been picked apart in marches against FROYO and Ascent, leaving them with a 12-4 record, their 4 losses made up by defeats at the hands of those very same teams. When these two teams met in the regular season (or were supposed to meet) Ascent handily defeated Gnomercy on Product 4-1 before taking a default win over the Gnomes towards the end of the season. Gnomercy need to step up their game a little if they want to win this match and stay in the Upper Bracket. Best of luck to both teams!
Casters will be Marxist and Row with Azazel on the camera, and Marmaloo as the analyst!

Note: Highfive will be subbing in as medic while Cookiejake is on vacation.