A new chapter, new colours and new expectations. The former Horizon Esports squad has officially made its debut as Vandals Clan in the Arrmy Masters competition, thus beginning the next stage of their competitive journey. We’ve already touched briefly on the match itself in our round-up covering our partners in ArrMY Rising and Masters, but today we’re taking a much closer look at this clash.
Unfortunately, the debut was not a successful one… Vandals Clan had to concede defeat to Gloris eSports. Nevertheless, the course of the match on the Ancient map showed that the new line-up has the potential to compete on equal terms. There was no shortage of good decisions, bold plays and moments where Vandals dictated the pace. So let’s take a look at how the match unfolded round by round.
First half – a strong start for Vandals Clan and a neck-and-neck contest
Vandals Clan started the match on the attacking side, and the pistol round alone showed that the team had no intention of playing conservatively. A swift and decisive push onto bombsite A met with minimal resistance. Where the sole defender retreated upon seeing the entire opposing squad closing in. Thanks to this, Vandals took up their positions without much trouble and prepared for the retake. Gloris eSports attempted a full-squad retake, but their approach proved ineffective, allowing Vandals to confidently secure the first round and get off to a good start in the match.
The second round was merely a formality, but the real test came with Gloris’s first full loadout. Although the Vandals once again managed to reach the bombsite and plant the bomb, this time their opponents showed far better organisation in the defuse, securing their first point. Moments later, they levelled the score, capitalising on the Vandals’ struggles with spatial control and the plant itself. The match quickly picked up pace and turned into a back-and-forth battle, with neither side able to establish a clear advantage.
However, Vandals were able to respond at key moments. This was particularly evident when Gloris adopted an aggressive approach around bombsite B, which was effectively countered, leading to a 3-3 draw. Over time, however, a certain predictability in their offensive play became apparent, mainly through frequent attacks on A, which Gloris began to exploit, thanks in part to a well-positioned sniper. Despite financial problems and playing with inferior equipment, Vandals kept in touch, and the end of the half belonged to them. A successful push on B and capitalising on their opponents’ weaker kit allowed them to level the score at 6:6.
Second half – lost control and a slipping lead
After the sides switched, Gloris eSports took the initiative, and the pistol round bore a striking resemblance to the start of the match. A quick push on bombsite A, with limited defensive presence from Vandals Clan, allowed them to take control of the round without much trouble. Although Vandals had a decent position for a retake, their opponents played calmly and effectively, not relinquishing the lead they had built up. The following rounds only exacerbated the problems… A failed force and the need to play eco meant that Gloris quickly began to build both a financial and a score lead.
Even when Vandals were well-positioned defensively, a lack of proper equipment significantly limited their capabilities. Gloris exploited this mercilessly, taking further positions and controlling the pace of the game. The breakthrough only came after a full buy, when Vandals managed to win the round despite heavy losses. Unfortunately, the high cost of that victory soon made itself felt… Only one player remained alive, which completely ruined the team’s economy. As a result, the next round was practically lost, and Gloris extended their lead to 7:10 without much difficulty.
A glimmer of hope came in the form of a won eco round, which not only surprised the opponent but also forced them to play with inferior equipment. Thanks to this, the Vandals closed the gap to 9:10 and were back in the fight for a favourable result. Unfortunately, a lack of consistency and difficulties in building a winning streak meant the match continued to slip out of control. Although at 10:11 the Vandals were still in touch and could still hope to turn the match around, the final stages belonged to Gloris. Two consecutive match points, coupled with the Vandals’ struggles, allowed their opponents to comfortably close out the map with a 10-13 scoreline.
Summary – potential is there, but stability is lacking
The debut of the new line-up for Vandals Clan did not end in victory, but it would be hard to call it a one-sided match. For a long time, the game was evenly matched, and Vandals showed moments of truly good play, both in attack and defence. However, the key problem turned out to be economy and a lack of stability in the second half. Won rounds did not translate into longer runs, and Gloris effectively exploited every moment of weakness. However, this is only the beginning for this squad in Army Masters.
English 
Polish 