When CS2 first emerged, there was a team that quickly rose to the top and became known as the unrivaled champions of the game: FaZe Clan. FaZe's impressive string of victories showcased their undeniable dominance in late 2023. Unfortunately, throughout 2024, the outcomes have significantly declined. Even though FaZe Clan has been struggling to make deep runs lately, their Grand Final losses have now turned into quarter-final devastation.
Following yet another underwhelming display at the recent Esports World Cup 2024, one can't help but wonder what has transpired with FaZe Clan's CS2 lineup. Our objective is to determine that here.
Significant Losses Have a Profound Impact
Defeat can be pretty painful. Indeed, that is an undeniable truth. However, experiencing defeat from the very beginning is not equivalent to being defeated just before crossing the finish line. Although FaZe experienced a decline in victories towards the end of 2023, they continued to make frequent appearances in the Grand Finals.
Engaging in these extensive journeys can be exhausting, as FaZe Clan's CS2 squad travels tirelessly from one city to another without any respite. However, the emotional burden of these defeats, when victory was within reach before everything crumbled, truly has a lasting impact. Securing a solitary win at IEM Chengdu 2024 barely compensates for the relentless series of losses endured. Is FaZe Clan experiencing a complete lack of momentum in CS2?
Their performance at the Esports World Cup did not indicate any improvement, despite the player break. Once more, FaZe Clan CS2 was unable to advance past the quarterfinals for the fourth tournament in a row. If exhaustion, whether mental or physical, is the concern at hand, addressing this challenge within the existing CS schedule will prove to be quite tricky.
The Significant Drop in Ropz’s Performance
You've probably noticed the memes - ropz's performance has a clear connection to the period before and after he acquired a Porsche. It's an amusing concept, yet tinged with a peculiar hint of reality. At the beginning of the fresh game, ropz was putting in the work. He was absolutely committed to gaining an advantage in the latest game, and it was evident. At one point, he held the title of being the top CS2 player globally. Right now? It's quite a challenge to consider him among the top 30.
The decrease in performance from ropz is concerning for the CS2 roster of FaZe Clan. Furthermore, the situation appears to be stagnant with no signs of improvement, and the causes behind the decline still need to be solved. Is he feeling less motivated to play CS2, given his recent vocal distaste for the game? Or could it be attributed to fatigue, considering FaZe's extensive performances in CS2? It might even be something completely different that remains unknown to us. It's purely conjecture at this stage, but considering his past performance as one of FaZe's top fraggers, it's a significant factor contributing to their recent struggles in CS2.
The Impact of Frozen on Gender Roles
The inclusion of frozen for Twistzz in the latter part of last year has demonstrated itself as a direct substitute in terms of sheer fragging performance. He is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable CS2 players out there, and he certainly doesn't pose any issues on his own. Nevertheless, his presence did result in a minor adjustment in positions within the FaZe Clan CS2 lineup.
Ultimately, it is not advisable to acquire a player like Frozen and strip him of his desired positions. Coincidentally, a few of them clashed with the existing positions on FaZe. In the end, frozen emerged victorious in some cases while experiencing defeat in others. For instance, the Yard on Nuke was destined to experience rainfall, resulting in the need for Frozen to substitute in other areas.
Although it may appear to be a minor alteration on the surface, frozen joined a well-established FaZe CS2 team that had been playing together for a considerable amount of time. Players were well aware of their responsibilities in each situation within their role, and his arrival brought a fresh perspective to a tried-and-true formula. Although frozen's fragging may have been a sidegrade for FaZe, his roles did pose some challenges.