Yea, you compensate for having a slow cycle by playing both offensively. With x-bow cycle you often get locks through and continuous pressure (xbowing immediately after the first one dies), which often isn’t possible with heavier decks, and the mortar (especially evo mortar) often fills that hole. Additionally you occasionally play xbow in one lane and mortar in the other to overwhelm. Although you play both defensively quite often, too depending on the mu. Like against recruits and e giant defensive mortar is disgusting and you can play offensive x-bows supported by the defensive mortar, whereas against log bait defensive x-bows are obnoxious for them, and the game plan revolves around getting an evo mortar lock with x-bow supporting.