News Flash #4 - CS2 Is Here
In this edition of the News Flash, we'll take a look at how the professional Counter-Strike landscape has developed, since making the long-awaited switch from CS:GO to CS2.
Rostermania Repeat
Despite the vast majority of top teams making roster moves in the last summer break, a number of organizations are already exploring options to improve their squads in the coming weeks. It’s hard to pinpoint the exact reasons, behind each team’s decision-making process, but there are plenty of possibilities:
New Challenger - Falcons: The Saudi org has decided to scrap their previous roster and bring in the GOAT CS:GO coach, zonic, along with Lars Robl (former Vitality sports psychologist) to lead their new CS2 project. According to numerous reports, Falcons are eyeing up some of the biggest names in professional Counter-Strike to bolster their squad, including the likes of Magisk, Snappi, m0NESY, and many others. If Falcons manage to put together their rumored super team, it could result in a domino effect, as top teams will be forced to replace their star players. As of right now, BOROS is the only confirmed member of the roster.
RMRs are just around the Corner: Every team’s primary objective in the next couple of months is to qualify for the Copenhagen Major. With the RMR Closed Qualifiers and the RMRs themselves quickly approaching, now is the time to make the last roster moves, before the Major cycle begins. That way, new rosters will still have some time to get to know each other, gel together, practice, and be ready for the RMRs.
Unexpected Moves: While most transfer rumors and confirmed moves this fall have been understandable and perfectly reasonable, some have come as a complete surprise to all members of the Counter-Strike community. From s1mple going on a break, through sh1ro benching himself on Cloud9, to stavn and jabbi reportedly backstabbing cadiaN and Heroic, so that they move to Astralis, it’s been a crazy couple of weeks of CS transfer extravaganza.
Best Performers in CS2
Some teams have taken to CS2 like a duck to water and continue to put up impressive performances at every event they attend. Here are some of the standouts so far:
FaZe - Back to their Best
The Antwerp Major Champions have got their mojo back and they have returned to their winning ways. karrigan and company have won three tournaments on the trot (two on LAN, one online), and are currently on a 15-match win streak, not having lost a single BO3 series in CS2.
One of the main driving forces behind FaZe’s success has been ropz, who is arguably the best Counter-Strike 2 player in the world right now. With two CS2 MVP medals to his name and averaging a 1.23 rating against the very best, the Estonian is wreaking havoc every time he’s on the server.
The only issue FaZe is facing right now is the prospect of Twistzz leaving the team to return to Liquid, where the Canadian enjoyed a ton of success earlier in his career, including winning the Intel Grand Slam and many other prestigious tournaments. However, FaZe’s hot start to their CS2 campaign might dissuade Twistzz from rejoining his maiden Tier one organization.
Complexity - NA’s Last Hope
The addition of EliGE has worked wonders for the Complexity lineup, as every member of the roster has significantly upped their game since his arrival. The American-majority squad made waves at IEM Sydney, where they placed second only to FaZe who barely outlasted them in overtime on the series decider.
As previously mentioned, Complexity as a whole have improved tremendously, but it is impossible to ignore the individual form EliGE is in right now. The former fourth-best player in the world seems to be getting back to his 2019 level when his outstanding performances helped Liquid to multiple tournament victories, including the fastest Intel Grand Slam run in history.
The team’s next important test will come at BLAST Fall Finals, where they’ll once again have to prove they belong in the big leagues with the world’s best.
Virtus.pro - Consistent Online
VP have been in and out of the spotlight in the past year, ultimately failing to live up to the high standard they set themselves by winning the IEM Rio Major. However, the Russians have been on a tear in the last couple of weeks, reaching to Grand Final and even winning one of them.
A lot of credit for Virtus.pro resurgence has to be attributed to FL1T, who has stepped into upper gear in CS2, sporting a spectacular 1.24 rating over the two CS2 tournaments the Russians attended thus far.
Although their deep runs in recent times have been online, it is still a good sign of VP improving and getting back to the high level we know they can display on the server.
Monte - Better Without BOROS
The Ukrainian-majority roster was touted to struggle, following the departure of BOROS, who was one of the breakthrough stars of the BLAST Paris Major earlier this year. Contrary to most people’s expectations, Monte seem to have improved since their Major playoff run and continue to put up impressive performances in each CS2 event they attend.
Interestingly, Monte’s recent success didn’t come off the back of outstanding performances from their star players, but the rest of the team showing staggering improvements from CS:GO to CS2. kRaSnaL is currently Monte’s highest-rated player (1.19), while DemQQ is the lowest (1.04)!
This role-reversal situation is working out for them at the moment, but it is uncertain whether they can keep up with their recent performances without their star players leading the line and consistently delivering in the fragging department.
Next Week’s Plan
And that is all for this week’s edition of News Flash, make sure to tune in next week when we'll discuss each team’s chances and aspirations at BLAST Fall Finals.