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There we now have it. After simply over two years within the energetic roster, Astralis has lastly benched blameF from its CS2 crew. He’s performed just a few completely different roles, taking over the IGL mantle in addition to the crew’s main baiter (sorry, “lurker”). After the most recent farce noticed Astralis miss its third Main in a row, persistence has lastly run out regardless of the participant signing a brand new deal again in September 2023.
Astralis has claimed blameF’s benching is “with a possible sale in thoughts,” and we expect it’s the appropriate name. In actual fact, we expect it’s lengthy overdue – and right here’s why.
blameF flatters to deceive
Credit score: Astralis
Look, we’ve heard all of it earlier than. Sure, blameF places up good numbers on the server, however we expect that he has flattered to deceive on Astralis. Lots of his kills are eco-frags (there’s a purpose he’s nicknamed ecoF), in addition to impactless kills made whereas making an attempt to avoid wasting his weapon. He’s a prime aimer, however he’s by no means utilized this in a approach that enables him to be impactful.
So how honest is the “baitF” narrative? In our eyes, particularly reasonable! During the last three months, are you able to guess which participant on Astralis had the least deaths per spherical (DPR)? That’s proper – blameF. Now, as a talented rifler, that’d be superb, however as an IGL, it’s horrible. Essentially the most profitable IGLs in the intervening time aren’t afraid to sacrifice their lives for the crew. Consider HooXi, apEX, and karrigan, who all have 0.70, 0.68, and 0.71 DPR respectively during the last three months, in comparison with blameF’s 0.60. Hell would freeze over earlier than these guys had a decrease DPR than their stars. As a substitute, blameF is commonly the final alive, left to avoid wasting no matter gear he has for the subsequent spherical.
Credit score: PGL | Picture modified by Daniel Morris
Crucially, this doesn’t change when he’s not an IGL. He’s typically the final alive as a rifler, too, leaving him huge open to the baitF allegations time and again. You would possibly suppose that is superb when he’s placing up good numbers, however in the end, accommodating this kind of playstyle can have an effect on the make-up of all the crew. Astralis, fairly rightly in our eyes, have determined it’s simply not definitely worth the problem anymore.
One thing needed to change
Credit score: PGL
The crew with the most Major wins ever missed out on its first-ever house Main in Copenhagen. You didn’t actually suppose Astralis would let that slide, did you? Even when it hasn’t at all times been blameF’s fault, the outcomes throughout his time on the roster have been largely unacceptable. One thing needed to change, and realistically, blameF was the one possibility. You could possibly see the distraught on the gamers’ faces after the loss to 9Pandas.
There’s not a single world the place Astralis benches its talisman dev1ce after just a few poor months. It’s no secret that the group spent an eye-watering amount of cash (believed to be within the realm of $2 million) on jabbi and stavn after the Heroic CS2 roster drama, in order that they’re a no-go proper now. That leaves Staehr and blameF.
Now, everybody is aware of that Astralis is the King of dangerous optics, however even they wouldn’t dream of benching Staehr, the one participant who can maintain his head up excessive after the RMR debacle, after forcing him to do the exit interview regardless of the presence of senior gamers. If change was to come back, blameF needed to go.
What subsequent for Astralis?
Credit: PGL
With blameF’s stint on the roster at an finish, Astralis is now seeking to discover their new fifth. Given the management void and timidity within the crew, somebody with a giant persona who can rile up the present roster is required. We’ve obtained just a few choices. First up is clearly gla1ve. Now, there’s nothing nice about crawling again to your ex along with your tail between your legs, however in Astralis’ case, it is perhaps simply what is required. With gla1ve wanting reborn at ENCE, it’ll be post-Main earlier than they will negotiate his return – if he’s even .
Subsequent up is Patti. ECSTATIC’s IGL is aware of what it takes to achieve a Main, and Astralis will probably be kicking itself after he beforehand spent 10 months throughout 2022 and 2023 in its Expertise squad. Once more, if Astralis can swallow its satisfaction, it might show a stable transfer. Then there’s birdfromsky, however we expect he could have been away from the highest stage somewhat too lengthy for this type of strain.
Lastly, and listen to us out, there’s HooXi. If G2 bombs on the Main, there’s an opportunity he could possibly be on the chopping block, and we expect he’d be the proper pickup for Astralis. There’s ample firepower between dev1ce, Staehr, stavn, and jabbi, to allow them to cope with HooXi’s worse stats on the server. As a caller, HooXi is a grasp of getting his stars in the appropriate place on the proper time, in addition to getting essentially the most from his AWPers. If G2 decides to go a unique route, he’d be price a glance within the post-Main reshuffle.
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