Gentle Mates vs 3DMAX - Stake Ranked Episode 3

Gentle Mates look polished on the surface. A 67% winrate last month and elite Inferno numbers make them a dangerous opponent on their best maps. But dig into their recent results and the picture gets messier. Two losses in their last five matches, including a 0-2 defeat to Ninjas in Pyjamas just 14 hours ago, suggest they are carrying some fatigue and inconsistency into this one.

3DMAX have been in freefall statistically, with a 33% winrate last month and ugly numbers on Inferno and Ancient. That cannot be ignored. What can shift the calculus, though, is their upset pedigree. They knocked off painN, ranked 21st, just 17 hours ago in a 2-0. That win did not come against a pushover, and it came right before this match, giving 3DMAX a confidence boost their recent form rarely provides.

The map pool is where this gets interesting. Gentle Mates ban Dust2 at a 100% rate, so that lever is off the table. 3DMAX have Nuke competence with a 56% winrate across 18 maps, and if they can steer the series there, they have a legitimate counterpick weapon. Gentle Mates are beatable when pushed off their comfort maps, and 3DMAX have just shown they can close out a series under pressure.

Thunderpick odds(at time of writing):

3DMAX to win 1.65

Gentle Mates to win 2.10