Counter-Strike 2 Roster Changes: Early 2025 Transfer Window
Major Roster Movements
The Counter-Strike 2 competitive scene has witnessed significant roster shuffles following Team Spirit’s historic victory at the Shanghai Major. The beginning of 2025 has brought substantial changes to many top-tier organizations, reshaping the competitive landscape.
Notable Transfers
One of the most significant moves came from FaZe Clan, with star rifler ropz announcing his departure from the squad on December 31st. This announcement came shortly after their second-place finish at the Shanghai Major, marking the end of a successful chapter for the European mixture.
The biggest surprise came from G2 Esports, where NiKo’s departure to Falcons marked a major shift in the European scene. Falcons have assembled what appears to be a superteam, bringing in former Heroic players TeSeS, kyxsan, and degster to join NiKo in their roster.
Current Team Compositions
Elite Teams
Team Spirit
- Current Roster: donk, chopper, magixx, zont1x, sh1ro
- Coach: hally
- Status: Stable following Major victory
G2 Esports
- Current Roster: huNter-, m0NESY, malbsMd, Snax
- Coach: TaZ
- Status: Rebuilding following NiKo’s departure
NAVI
- Current Roster: jL, Aleksib, iM, w0nderful, b1t
- Coach: B1ad3
- Status: Complete roster
FaZe Clan
- Current Roster: Karrigan, rain, FROZEN, broky
- Coach: NEO
- Status: Seeking replacement for ropz
Recent Transfer Timeline
January 6, 2025
- NertZ: Heroic → Team Liquid
- Kvem joins Passion UA
On January 4, 2025
- TeSeS, kyxsan, degster: Heroic → Falcons
- aliStair departs from FlyQuest
January 3, 2025
- Snappi leaves Falcons
- NiKo: G2 → Falcons
- lux: paiN → Legacy
Impact Analysis
The current transfer window has particularly affected several key organizations:
- Heroic: The organization has undergone the most dramatic changes, losing multiple core players to Falcons, leaving them with significant rebuilding needed.
- Falcons: Emerging as a potential superteam with the acquisition of NiKo and former Heroic players, positioning themselves as a major contender.
- FaZe Clan: The departure of ropz leaves a significant gap in their firepower, though their experienced core remains intact.
- Team Liquid: Strengthening their roster with the addition of NertZ, showing commitment to remaining competitive in the international scene.
The landscape of competitive CS2 continues to evolve as organizations adapt to these changes and seek to optimize their rosters for upcoming tournaments in 2025.