Three BLAST Slam VIII games worth watching before playoffs

A short list for late viewers

With the BLAST Slam VIII playoffs in Malta starting on Thursday, a Reddit roundup has tried to answer a practical question for fans who missed the online stage: which matches are actually worth going back to watch? The post argues that most of the 60 online games can be skipped without missing much, but three stood out above the rest.

The ranking was based on how long the result stayed uncertain, how far the eventual winner fell behind, how often both sides were trading kills, and whether the winning team ever came close to losing its base. By that measure, most tier-1 games reportedly landed below a 3 out of 10 for watchability. Only three matches reached a score of 7 or higher.

The three highest-rated games

The first match on the list was OG vs BetBoom Team on 30 September, rated 7.3/10. According to the summary, the lead changed hands repeatedly, one side bought a Divine Rapier, and the game eventually reached a point where mega creeps were on the map. That kind of back-and-forth usually makes for a much better rewatch than a one-sided stomp.

Also rated 7.3/10 was Team Liquid vs GamerLegion on 2 October. The post describes it as a game with a shifting lead, a comeback, and uncertainty that lasted until the end. For viewers who prefer tense endings and momentum swings, this appears to be the closest thing to a must-watch from the online stage.

The third recommended match was Xtreme Gaming vs Level UP Esports on 30 September, with a score of 7.0/10. The summary says the game featured early fighting, a stolen Aegis, and a base under siege before the result was settled. That mix of early action and late pressure makes it another strong replay candidate for fans who want something more than a routine group-stage game.

What this means for Dota players

For ranked and MMR-focused players, these kinds of games are often the most useful to study because they usually show how top teams handle momentum changes, objective defense, and late-game mistakes under pressure. If you are looking to improve your own decision-making, close games like these tend to be more instructive than clean wins.

The post also notes that the full ranking includes Twitch replays and hidden scores, and that playoff games will be added as they finish. So if the online stage felt too long to follow live, this shortlist gives a fast way to catch the most competitive parts before the main event continues in Malta.