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The first series at the Riyadh Masters 2023 Playoffs concluded with Talon Esports defeating Quest Esports in a gruelling three-game series with a 2:1 score. The torchbearers for Southeast Asia (SEA) defeated the rising starlets from Western Europe (WEU) in a decisive series in the upper bracket of the Riyadh Masters 2023 playoffs. Talon Esports are guaranteed at least $800,000 in prize money by placing in the top six and have also won their first-ever upper bracket series at an international LAN event.  

Talon Esports secure a minimum top-six finish at the Riyadh Masters 2023 Playoffs

  With their win against Quest Esports in a classic and long-embattled series, Talon has cemented itself as a force to be reckoned with. They edged out Quest in the first game with a classic, push-oriented and late-game-styled draft with Lifestealer as their preferred choice of carry. The game lasted for 52 minutes in a closely-contested duel, but Talon got the upper hand. The second game was relatively one-sided, with the rising stars in Quest Esports out for vengeance. Talon wasn't given any room to breathe as their opponents were dominant since the beginning. Quest won the second game and levelled the series.  

(Image via Valve)

The third game was the best one out of the lot. Both teams exchanged blows one after the other and were equal -- in experience and gold -- even 40 minutes into the game. The decider game was more about capitalising on the opponent's mistakes rather than outplaying them. A lot of mistakes and misplays were made on both sides with goof-ups, miscommunication and errors. Ultimately, the game boiled down to three factors: Snapfire, Doom and Terrorblade. Mikoto's unbelievable plays on Snapfire and Jabzs' crazy farm on Doom certainly established a stable base for Talon Esports at the Riyadh Masters 2023 Playoffs. In the meantime, Quest Esports' Terrorblade and Pangolier were a menace to deal with alongside Pangolier that made life hell for Talon. As mentioned earlier, the game boiled down to the team who made the most mistakes. Quest ended up making the most mistakes that made things easier for Talon in the later stage of the 58 minutes game.

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Featured image via Valve. Keep tabs on Esports Heaven to be up-to-date with the latest coverage on the Dota 2 Pro Circuit.