Game Night episode 3 recap: Imperium vs Pooh and Friends vs SuperNatural

Game 1: Imperium vs Pooh and Friends (PnF)

Pooh and Friends (PnF), a relatively young group turned finalist in the recent Astral event by UPGG, performs a catch-all draft against the top picks in the recent patch. Although it sounds like a good strategy, this only gives Imperium more breathing room to draft on a more intimate level. With the popular picks out of the way, Imperium bans heroes that would go well against their preferred picks.

Imperiums picks Earthshaker and Undying for superior positioning and laning longevity. PnF responds with Vengeful Spirit and Batrider for pickoffs, with Axe for teamfight initiates. However, this will not be enough as Imperium’s Silencer pick ensures a teamfight failsafe.

The match bends to Imperium’s whims. Their strategy is simple: claim objectives – regroup – rinse and repeat. With steady focus, strong group formations and a clear goal in mind, Imperium forces PnF to stay on the defensive, denying them of any gold and experience.

Game 2: Pooh and Friends and SuperNatural

Pooh and Friends (PnF) are familiar with SuperNatural’s star player, SuperNatural.Yvanova. Using their knowledge of his strongest heroes and play style, they dedicate their bans on removing Yvanova’s usuals (Templar Assassin and Queen Of Pain). PnF’s picks revolves around the idea of a sustainable teamfight capability. SuperNatural, on the other hand, focuses more on establishing the synergy of their lineup with a big ultimates on Shadow Fiend and Silencer and bursts on Lion and Morphling.

After a terrible loss in Game 1 to Imperium, PnF is looking for redemption. Executing a strategy quite similar to their foes in Game 1, PnF goes for a very systematic approach and finishes team fights with great precision and rotations with a newfound discipline. One by one, SuperNatural’s forward towers fall, stunting the growth of a well-farmed SuperNatural.Yvanova-Morphling. PnF finishes with a commanding advantage despite having a lower kill score of 26 to their opponent’s 27.

Game 3: SuperNatural and Imperium

Both teams want to play safe. Respect bans is the name of the game. Imperium bans known SuperNatural key heroes and the latter responds in kind. However, Imperium knows how they want to play their second game: a disorienting lineup with a Phantom Lancer, Silencer and Queen of Pain. Choosing a Batrider pick to force a reaction from SuperNatural, they are equipped with an impenetrable lineup. SuperNatural goes old school and old meta, picking Crystal Maiden, Juggernaut and Lina for easier coordination and synergy.

SuperNatural finds themselves in a position similar to Game 2: cornered with nowhere to farm and in an awkward defensive position. Imperium ensures victory by taking Tier 2 towers early , locking SuperNatural out of their own jungle and their supposed Dire side advantage to the Rosh pit.

A commanding Lina is not enough to hold down a team equipped with Eye of Skadi, pure damage ultimates, and a crippling Global Silence. A dagger-less Earthshaker 43 minutes in ensure pushes are left uncontested and Imperium ends the match with a 14 point lead on a final score of 40-26.