Team Falcons will compete in the first half of BLAST Slam IV without skiter as he recovers from a hand injury.
BLAST Slam IV, the first major Dota 2 tournament of the 2025/2026 season, kicked off on 14 October. However, just hours before the event began, current world champions 
Team Falcons announced that their carry player, 
Oliver “Skiter” Lepko, will miss the Group Stage due to injury. In his absence, 
Satanic from 
PARIVISION will temporarily stand in as replacement.
The team shared the news via social media, revealing that skiter had sustained an injury that prevented him from competing.
“Due to a hand injury, Skiter will be unable to participate in the BLAST Slam IV Group Stage. Satanic will serve as his substitute for this phase of the tournament. We thank PARIVISION for their assistance in making this roster adjustment possible, and we extend our best wishes to Skiter for a swift and full recovery,” Falcons posted.
Skiter followed up with a personal update, stating that he will attempt to play as soon as tomorrow if conditions allow:
“I have a fractured left elbow, but I will try to play tomorrow if I feel better in the evening. Thanks for all the nice messages,” he wrote.
Satanic steps in amid skiter's recovery
The 18-year-old carry from PARIVISION, Satanic, is one of the fastest-rising stars in the scene. He made his Tier 1 debut with 
Team Spirit just a year ago, and following his transfer to PARIVISION earlier this year, he found immediate success. Satanic also achieved remarkable results at his debut at The International 2025, helping PARIVISION finish in third place.
PARIVISION had initially received an invite to BLAST Slam IV but withdrew shortly before the tournament began to prioritize rest for the team. Their spot was filled by 
MOUZ.
Over in Team Falcons, Skiter plays a pivotal role in the team, despite often being overshadowed by the other more dominant cores. But Skiter has been crucial to enable his teammates, often acting as a space-creating carry that won’t hesitate to make sacrificial decisions. In contrast, Satanic has a farm-heavy playstyle that requires more space instead–posing a potential challenge to Team Falcons’ current dynamics.
However, despite the last-minute roster change, Falcons have looked strong so far–grabbing two wins against 
BetBoom Team and 
Yakult Brothers, and currently leading their group with the best odds of securing a spot in the Playoffs.
BLAST Slam IV details
Satanic will play for Team Falcons throughout BLAST Slam IV’s Group Stage, which runs from 14 to 18 October. But Skiter may return sooner, as per his statement above.
The event boasts a US$1 million prize pool, with $400,000 awarded to the eventual winner. It is also the first major event of the 2025/2026 season, expected to shape the early competitive hierarchy of the Dota 2 landscape.
The event follows just a month after TI 2025, and many expect the reigning world champions, Team Falcons, to dominate. However, with the off-season reshuffle introducing many new rosters, the tournament could set the stage for new contenders to emerge.
The top six teams from the Group Stage will advance to the LAN Finals, held live at the Singapore Indoor Stadium from 7–9 November.
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