ELEAGUE Atlanta 2017: Astralis vs FaZe Clan - Inferno Banana Control

# ELEAGUE Atlanta 2017: Astralis vs FaZe Clan - Inferno Banana Control ## Match Context * **Match/Event:** ELEAGUE Atlanta 2017, FaZe Clan (CT) vs. Astralis (T). * **Map & Location:** Inferno, with a hyper-focus on "Banana" (T Ramp, Bottom Banana, Top Banana, Car, Sandbags, and B Site). * **Round Phase:** Round 12 (Late first half). The analyzed execution occurs within the first 20-30 seconds of the round, with the in-game clock starting at 1:45 (00:00 video). * **Score State:** Closely contested, FaZe Clan 6 - 5 Astralis. * **Economic Situation:** Full Buy for both teams. FaZe Clan is equipped with M4A4s, 1 AWP, full armor, and utility. Astralis is equipped with AK-47s, full armor, and heavy utility explicitly purchased for Banana control. * **Match Situation:** Astralis is utilizing highly structured, utility-heavy executes to aggressively clear FaZe's multi-man Banana defense to open up the B site. ## Players & Roles ### Astralis (Terrorist Side) * **gla1ve (IGL / Support):** Orchestrates complex takes. At **05:02**, his POV reveals him playing a dedicated support role from bottom Banana, throwing low-trajectory pop-flashes for his entries. * **Xyp9x (Support):** Handles secondary, deep-site utility. Seen at **05:19** throwing high flashbangs over B site. Wields an AK-47 | Redline (**05:20**). * **dupreeh (Entry Fragger):** Pushes directly behind the utility path to clear isolated defenders, securing the opening frag on karrigan at **00:32**. * **Kjaerbye (Trade Fragger / Rifle):** Trails the entry path to capitalize on utility. He consistently eliminates the isolated NiKo in both examples (**00:34**, **05:29**). * **device (AWPer / Rifle):** Executes alongside the pack with a rifle, securing a kill on karrigan during the rush at **05:29**. ### FaZe Clan (Counter-Terrorist Side) * **NiKo (Anchor / Rifle):** Holds the challenging, close-range Banana Sandbags position. Wields an M4A4 | Desolate Space (**05:27**). He is repeatedly isolated and blinded by Astralis' utility. * **karrigan (IGL / Defender):** Plays the secondary Banana defense near Car. He is forced out by deep molotovs and caught retreating (**00:32**, **05:29**). * **allu (AWPer):** Visible on the HUD at **00:00** holding the AWP, stationed away from initial Banana skirmishes to hold a deep site angle. * **kioShiMa & rain:** Active team members holding other map areas. ### Analyst / Demo Entities * **Visuals:** Uses a StatTrak M9 Bayonet | Bright Water (**00:46**, **01:48**) and an AK-47 | Fuel Injector (**01:05**, **02:08**) to demonstrate sightlines, movement, and utility lineups on a custom server. ## Utility & Resources ### Strategy 1: Molotov Isolation (00:00 - 04:30) * **00:15 / Lineup 00:55:** Deep T-side Molotov targeting Car/Logs. Thrown from T Ramp via a run-throw aimed at the bottom edge of the left wall's white balcony. Flushes deep defenders and AWPers. * **00:24 / Lineup 01:25:** Close T-side Molotov targeting Sandbags. Thrown from the bottom Banana archway, aimed at the right balcony flower pot. Traps the close-playing CT. * **00:28 / Lineup 02:45:** Support T-side Flashbangs aimed high over the left-side wooden door to blind Top Banana without blinding rushing T players. * **03:18 - Counter-Utility:** A CT deep smoke at bottom Banana can block the T-side lineups. * **03:25 - Counter-Counter-Utility:** Ts can immediately throw a deep Molotov directly into the CT smoke near the wooden door to flush out close-range ambushes. ### Strategy 2: Flash-Heavy Fast Rush (04:39 - 06:15) * **05:02 / Lineup 05:05:** T-side Pop-Flash (gla1ve). Low-trajectory bounce off the right wall, popping behind Sandbags to blind peeking CTs without affecting the T-side entry pack. * **05:19 / Lineup 05:22:** T-side High Flash (Xyp9x). Thrown over B site architecture to disorient retreating CTs or deep passive holders. * **05:32:** T-side Smoke deployed at CT Spawn to cut off rotation vision, enabling a safe bomb plant at **05:39**. * **Impact:** The AK-47's one-hit headshot potential allows Ts to quickly trade isolated CTs. The CT M4A4s are effective for spraying (seen by NiKo at **05:27**), but the utility disadvantage negates their defensive power. ## Strategy & Tactics * **Methodical Map Control (Default):** Astralis uses a slow, deliberate utility execute to systematically clear deep angles, denying early CT aggression without committing to dry aim duels. * **Player Isolation:** By sequencing molotovs properly (Car first, Sandbags second), Astralis physically splits the CT Banana defense, trapping close defenders and separating them from their retreating support. * **Fast Rush Execution:** Astralis pivots to an explosive pacing adaptation (**04:39**), relying on layered flashbangs and speed to overwhelm defenders before they can set up crossfires. * **Role Synchronization:** Perfect timing exists between the dedicated support (gla1ve) throwing wall-bounce flashes and entries wide-peeking with the detonations. Trade fraggers (Kjaerbye) instantly refrag when an entry is contested. * **Formations:** FaZe's multi-man Banana hold (deep Car, close Sandbags) is countered by Astralis's structured T-pack, featuring forward entries supported by players hanging back specifically to deploy utility over structures. ## Decisions & Critical Moments * **00:15 - Initiating with Deep Utility:** Astralis decides to throw the Car molotov first to deny the CT AWPer and push karrigan out of position. * **00:24 - Splitting the Defense:** The precise Sandbags molotov is the round's turning point, effectively cutting off NiKo's escape path and ensuring he faces a 1v1 disadvantage. * **00:32 - First Blood:** dupreeh capitalizes on karrigan's retreat, crumbling FaZe's primary defensive line. * **01:53 - Splitting the Retreat (Mistake):** When flushed by molotovs, the FaZe defenders mistakenly jump in opposite directions. This critical error results in two isolated, lost 1v1s. They should have conceded Banana entirely and fallen back together. * **04:39 - Pivoting to a Fast Rush:** Astralis decides to exploit CT expectations by abruptly abandoning the slow default for a sudden rush, collapsing the defense. * **05:02 - Dedicated Support Decision:** gla1ve actively chooses to hang back to throw precise pop-flashes, ensuring the entry path is clear and blinding NiKo (**05:27**). ## Practical Takeaways * **Lesson 1 - Utility Sequencing:** Do not throw utility randomly. A deep molotov followed by a close molotov systematically breaks multi-man setups by forcing players into isolated engagements. * **Lesson 2 - Dedicated Support Role:** In a fast rush, having one player hang back to throw low-trajectory pop-flashes ensures entries can run forward without getting blinded or needing to turn away. * **Lesson 3 - Pacing Variation:** Mixing methodical defaults with sudden, explosive rushes exploits enemy expectations and prevents them from establishing comfortable counter-measures. * **Anti-Pattern 1 - Splitting the Retreat:** Never split up when flushed by utility. Fall back *together* toward the site to maintain trading potential. * **Anti-Pattern 2 - Anchoring Compromised Positions:** Attempting to fight from Sandbags when escape paths are burned guarantees a lost round. Concede map control early to stay alive. * **Drill 1 - The "Astralis Clear":** Practice the run-throw Car molotov (**00:55**) immediately followed by the archway Sandbags molotov (**01:25**) to minimize the gap between detonations. * **Drill 2 - Buddy Pop-Flash:** Practice gla1ve's wall-bounce flash (**05:02**) with a teammate acting as the entry to perfect the timing where the flash blinds Sandbags but leaves the entry's screen completely clear. * **Drill 3 - Evacuation Mechanics:** As a CT, practice escaping the dual-molotov setup from Car and Sandbags back to B site without taking fire damage or getting caught on geometry. ## Conclusion This video serves as a masterclass in breaking apart entrenched, multi-man map control setups. By juxtaposing a methodical, isolation-based utility default with a sudden, flash-heavy rush, it highlights the immense value of precise utility sequencing, dedicated support roles, and unpredictable pacing to dismantle high-tier CT defenses.