The Ninjas just can’t seem to catch a break.

Things weren’t looking good for NiP after a string of disastrous performances at ESL Challenger Atlanta, ESL Pro League S20, and CCT. Now, we’re pretty sure they’re just cursed.

After temporarily fielding jocab for maxster at Elisa Masters Espoo due to health issues - a tournament where they were eliminated by JANO (yes, you read that right) - NiP will now keep jocab in the lineup for the RMR, and potentially the Major - if by some miracle they manage to make it that far.

In a video shared by coach Xizt, he and team manager THREAT explained their decision to keep jocab in the lineup: “We felt that [maxster] is not going to be ready to practice (…) before heading to the RMRs, and that's a huge factor into why we made this call”.

Relax, NiP fans – it’s not all bad news. Though, let’s be honest, most of it is.

Xizt did mention that maxster is “doing better and better everyday”, so we should expect a full return in 2025. For now, jocab will remain as the stand-in.

NiP needed every bit of practice with their full roster heading into the RMR if they were to stand a chance at qualifying for the Major. Unfortunately, this setback only puts them further behind.

We usually joke about NiP here, but at this point, it's getting hard NOT to feel bad for them.