FISSURE Universe Episode 5: HEROIC off to a great start

FISSURE Universe Episode 5 and its group stage are now well underway, with the first set of matches in each group now done and dusted. The competition at this tournament may not be as fierce or close as it would be at any other LAN, but the participating teams are nonetheless using this as a “soft” training ground for the upcoming Esports World Cup.

At least, I’m sure South American team HEROIC is, because this roster is off to a pretty good start in the best-of-two group stage. They’re currently 3-1 in maps after the first day of play, with their lone 1-1 split being against Aurora Gaming. That last result in particular was actually quite impressive given Aurora’s resume and results as of late — and even though there wasn’t a third game to decide a series winner, it was enough to help HEROIC grab the second spot in their group for the time being.

Right below them in Group B is Team Liquid, who unfortunately still don’t have the services of Aydin “Insania” Sarkohi for this tournament. Insania was unavailable for their lower bracket final series at PGL Wallachia Season 5 due to illness, so they had to get Matthew “Ari” Walker as a last minute substitute. For FISSURE Universe Episode 5, they’ve opted to go with Tobias “Tobi” Buchner as their stand-in for Insania, the same player that stepped in for Insania at the start of Wallachia.

What a CLEAN day!! 🥰#LetsGoLiquid #FissureUniverseEp5 pic.twitter.com/rUCd79xZgj

— Team Liquid Dota (@teamliquiddota) July 1, 2025

You wouldn’t be able to tell if you didn’t watch the games, though, because Liquid have been crushing it so far this tournament. They are currently the only undefeated team remaining (in terms of maps), and every game that they’ve played to get that 4-0 record has been a complete stomp. I’m talking massive net worth leads at 15 to 20 minutes in, such that each game is pretty much decided long before their opponents actually say “GG”.

They’ve got Aurora and HEROIC left to play against tomorrow — matches that I wouldn’t worry about at all if they can keep their momentum going. They should be a shoo-in for the upper bracket at this rate. AVULUS, on the other hand, might not be long for this tournament. They’re currently 0-4, and I don’t even have faith in them to beat the inconsistent Nigma Galaxy tomorrow.

Over in the other group, Team Tidebound and PARIVISION are currently tied at 3-1 for first place. Nothing I didn’t already expect going into this tournament, but Gaimin Gladiators being 1-3 is something that I did not see coming. After all, they’re coming off of a second place finish at PGL Wallachia Season 5 — although they may still be mentally shaken from losing the way they did.

1 kill in map 2, go next. pic.twitter.com/nrmlebstFg

— GG | Gaimin Gladiators ⚔️ (@GaiminGladiator) July 1, 2025

They’re now tied with Team Yandex for fourth place. There’s still time for Gaimin to get themselves together if they want to make the upper bracket, but they’re probably going to have to win both of their series tomorrow if they want to maximize their chances. PARIVISION and Tidebound’s performances on the final day of the group stage will of course determine where Gaimin will end up as well, so finishing the group stage strong will be their best bet from here on.