Falcons complete a… HEROIC rebuild

So, Falcons have finally got their new team together: 

🇧🇦 NiKo
🇩🇰 Magisk
🇩🇰 TeSeS
🇷🇺 degster
🇲🇰 kyxsan

Let’s see how long this one lasts.

Okay, that might have been a little harsh. We’re actually quite positive about this lineup and why shouldn’t we be? This one actually has NiKo on it.

It may have been formed out of necessity just like their previous roster, and we may have been more excited about it had Jimpphat and m0NESY joined, but we really do think this is a good team.

Every new member of the roster is at least equal to the man they’ve replaced, and two of them are actually notable upgrades: NiKo is NiKo, TeSeS has really elevated himself in the last year, and degster and kyxsan aren’t behind many players in their respective roles. It’s a solid unit.

Considering Snappi’s main issue with the previous team was its lack of firepower, we actually feel quite sorry for him that he never got his hands on this one.

We also feel really positive for HEROIC off the back of this move. Not because of the team they’re putting together, because that sounds pretty rubbish, but they reportedly picked up a massive stack of cash for their outgoings this Winter. Good for them.

It’s the popular thing to hate Falcons and it was quite enjoyable watching them constantly disappoint last year. But it’s hard not to be happy about the fact that this organisation won’t just end up being a deathbed for the last parts of NiKo’s prime.

Besides, if it doesn’t work out, m0NESY’s contract expiry is rapidly approaching. Bet degster likes knowing that ticking time bomb exists.

The main thing is that this roster needs to work. Not for any of the players on it, but for zonic. The big Dane arrived at Falcons as the undisputed GOAT of coaching, and that spot has now firmly been put in doubt after the year B1ad3 just had with NAVI.

We know zonic and Snappi couldn’t really see eye to eye on how the team should be playing, so he needs to be able to build up synergy with kyxsan fast. If this team fails, especially now they have their marquee signing in NiKo, you have to put some blame on zonic.

It’ll be sad to see another one of the prime Astralis team have their legacy tarnished but… Just kidding. It would be really funny.

Vitality get Kooler

Silly season always brings surprises, and this is one we didn’t see coming.

Robin Kool, aka ropz, is rumoured to be heading for Vitality, replacing Spinx, a like-for-like clear upgrade.

It’s obvious why Vitality wants this move to happen. Spinx and ropz play the game in very similar ways, ropz has just historically been better at it. This move is so ideal, Vitality fans would’ve called you delusional if you told them this is where they were headed.

What’s not so clear is why FaZe let ropz go.

Obviously, the team needed changes, but the Estonian wasn't necessarily the problem. FaZe co-owner Temperr mentioned on stream this had to do with firepower, but ropz denied this himself. Regardless, FaZe’s loss is Vitality's gain. They weakened the team that knocked them out of the last Major, and upgraded themselves.

FaZe has to recruit well to come back from this.

For now, the rumours all point to EliGE as ropz’ replacement, which would fit the roles. EliGE would give FaZe some more mid-taking firepower, letting Frozen take ropz’ roles similar to what he did at the end of his stint on MOUZ. Still, that leaves a clearly past-his-prime rain on this roster, which is far less than ideal. Especially now that they have to deal with a supercharged Vitality.

You have to tip your hat to Vitality management, this is an absolute coup for them. FaZe, on the other hand, have been put on fraudwatch.

Rebuilding the Dojo

After years of burning their food, it looks like NIP are finally cooking up something tasty.

The Ninjas are shaking things up by blowing up (most of) their roster, keeping only r1nkle, and bringing in fresh blood in Snappi, sjuush, arrozdoce, and ewjerkz.

Choosing Snappi to lead the charge, along with the addition of a more experienced player like sjuush, is a solid decision. Despite a disastrous run with Falcons - and that’s putting it mildly - the Danish IGL has a proven track record of nurturing young talent and elevating them to new heights, just as he did with ENCE. So, there’s no reason he can’t do it again, right?

As for the ex-SAW boys, the standout names from the team that reached Cologne’s semi-finals, they’ve proven their worth in tier 1 competition and deserve the opportunity to take their careers to the next level.

It might seem like a small detail, but keeping the Portuguese duo together is a very smart move, ensuring smoother adaptation to the new international setup. If anything, compared to NiP’s previous line-up, they’re clear upgrades.

We could mock the Manchester United of CS - as we often do - but surprisingly, NIP might have made a good decision for the first time in a long while, assembling a roster with the potential to get them back on track.

That said, the road ahead won’t be easy. With Valve’s new ranking system now the almighty authority, the revamped Ninjas will have to grind through lower-tier competitions to rise the ranks and secure invites.

Who would’ve thought? We might actually start rooting for NIP.

If rumours are true, this will be their new lineup:

🇩🇰 sjuush
🇩🇰 Snappi
🇺🇦 r1nkle
🇵🇹 arrozdoce
🇵🇹 ewjerkz

Everybody NertZ, sometimes

“So, John TLDR, with three going to Falcons, and sjuush going to NiP, that leaves just one player at HEROIC. This story is definitely about the team they’re building around NertZ, right?”

“…Right?”

We’re sorry to disappoint. We won’t make a habit of it. It’s not our fault that NertZ’ new team is so much more exciting than HEROIC’s new team.

It won’t surprise you to learn that YEKINDAR was benched by Team Liquid. We like YEKI, we really do, but he’s been cheeks for a while. He’s not helped by a team of people who don’t want to aggress with him, but he also just doesn’t win his duels anymore.

NertZ is reported to take YEKINDAR’s place on Liquid, adding a completely different type of style of play. He’s not a hard entry, but he is aggressive and looks for openings in a slightly safer manner. Liquid might need to find someone who is willing to die for the cause on executes, but in the first minute of the round, NertZ is a pure upgrade.

If the NertZ signing goes through, Liquid are, once again, a terrific team on paper: Twistzz, NertZ, jks, NAF is near-unrivaled as a rifle foursome, and ultimate has been solid so far. It’s all looking good. It really is. It’s just that we’ve been here before.

We’re not sure who is going to entry, and the jury is still out on Twistzz as a leader. But it looks fun. Just… imagine if they had karrigan or siuhy instead of jks. You’d have them top 5 immediately.

HEROIC, in the meantime, has to find five new players. Good luck.

They reportedly signed three Sangal players - LNZ, xfl0ud and yxngstxr - with SunPayus and nilo being suggested right at the bottom of a HLTV article, quietly.

Don’t worry, guys. We really do read everything just so you don’t have to.

Does that team scream Top 10 to you? It doesn’t to us, but SunPayus took Movistar Riders to 5th once, and he didn’t even have sAw as a coach then.

🤑 Money talks, dirty cash I want you!

🫂 Like Maverick and Goose

📅 And with that, the 2024 season comes to an end.

This TL;DR was written by aizyesque, shoko, Horizzon, AN1MO and napz.
Crash_ coded the email and copy edited.

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