FISSURE Universe Ep.4: Is BOOM the Light in the Dark of SEA Dota?

The group stage of FISSURE Universe Ep.4 is indeed done and dusted, and with it went the hopes and dreams of Southeast Asian Dota 2 squad BOOM Esports. The Indonesia-based team played their last match of the tournament yesterday against Team Falcons, and were even up one game against them at the start of the three-game series.

Yes, they were that close to making the playoffs, only to be met with disappointment as Falcons rallied in the two games that followed. A similar fate befell them at ESL One Bangkok last year, as they were unable to force a tiebreaker situation in their group for a shot at going to the playoffs there.

They’ve been hanging around the threshold, if you will, and had it not been for Talon Esports’ top 6 finish at BLAST Slam 2, I’d say that BOOM are currently SEA’s most consistent hope of making a splash again in the competitive scene.

Staying Afloat Through Changes

BOOM Esports actually played with two stand-ins at this tournament, namely Armel Paul “Armel” Tabios and Anucha “Jabz” Jirawong. Both of these players are technically still signed to Aurora Gaming despite the org releasing the roster in Feburary. That organization has since pivoted to fielding an Eastern European roster after its SEA endeavors last year didn’t bear much fruit.

So, it’s actually commendable that they even made it this far, with a chance to make the playoffs at all. Of course, neither Armel nor Jabz are unknown quantities in the Southeast Asian scene, but it almost always takes time for sudden changes like these to settle down and for team chemistry to build back up again.

Not what we wanted. We’re out of FISSURE Universe: Episode 4.

Thank you for your support! #HungryBeast pic.twitter.com/NPj2QP9Vb8

— BOOM Esports (@boomesportsid) March 26, 2025

BOOM vs. Falcons

True enough, they showed the classic signs of a SEA team in their final series at FISSURE Universe Ep.4. There were some very questionable plays that one could point to, such as when carry player Souliya “JaCkky” Khoomphetsavong failed to respect Falcons’ ability to burst him down as Gyrocopter late in game 3. Though BOOM won a teamfight prior to this, JaCkky didn’t seem to think that trying to push Falcons’ mid lane tier 2 tower was a risky proposition, and he paid for it with his life.

This eventually led to a bigger deficit for them, which Stanislav “Malr1ne” Potorak gladly took advantage of as Sand King. His magic damage output towards the end of the 47-and-a-half-minute contest proved too much for BOOM Esports, and so they were sent packing without a single penny earned from the group stage.

Sharp Talons

So yes, unfortunately for BOOM Esports, they’re not quite at the level where they can be considered the great SEA hope just yet. They certainly have the talent and the experience to get themselves further up the pecking order, but it’s going to take a lot for them to get to that point nonetheless. For now, it’s still Talon that holds this title.

UPDATE:

Due to visa application requirements for other major tournaments, we have had to make the tough decision and withdraw from PGL Wallachia Season 3.

This is to ensure that we'll be fully present in ESL One Raleigh as well as PGL Wallachia Season 4.

Thank you for… https://t.co/afzDVHqRQl

— TALON (@TALON_ESPORTS) March 3, 2025

Their results over the last few months have just been better overall, and if you asked me, the presence of Rafli “Mikoto” Fathur Rahman in their roster is enough to put them a step above BOOM anyway. More recently, they qualified for PGL Wallachia Season 4, and are slated to play at ESL One Raleigh before that for the same reason.

They’re just more consistent overall right now, so BOOM’s eternal rivals carry the mantle for the region. In the meantime, though, the members of BOOM should take this time to develop their chemistry and synergy, so that us SEA fans will have not one, but two teams to watch at the highest levels of play.