As the competitive scene of Counter-Strike continues to evolve with new talent and changing dynamics, we are likely to witness the departure of several notable players from the Tier 1 stage. Whether it's due to aging, inconsistency, or team changes, these players may struggle to maintain their positions at the highest level in 2025. Here's a look at the top 10 players who might exit the Tier 1 scene next year.
Snax
Janusz "Snax" Pogorzelski, the current in-game leader for G2, has shown weakness in both his leadership and individual performance. Despite his historic successes, he has struggled to adapt as a leader at the highest level, often trailing behind his predecessor in terms of strategy and decision-making. His individual performance as a support player is far below the expectations of a Tier 1 team. Given these issues, it’s highly likely that G2 will seek to replace him in 2025, making it difficult for Snax to remain in the elite scene.
dupreeh
Peter "dupreeh" Rasmussen, a legendary player who found a new home in Falcons, may soon find himself out of the Tier 1 scene. Falcons are expected to undergo significant roster changes, and at his age, it’s unlikely that another Tier 1 team will be willing to take him on. While he still has plenty of experience, the reality of the competitive scene is that younger talent is often favored, and dupreeh’s best days are behind him.
nexa
Nemanja "nexa" Isaković, who has long struggled with his role as a captain, has not been able to match the demands of Tier 1 competition. His skills as a support player are also lacking, and the recent changes in G2, where they replaced him with a more individually skilled player, demonstrate his limitations. Nexa’s ability to lead a top-tier team is in question, and it’s doubtful he will return to the Tier 1 scene.
FalleN
Gabriel "FalleN" Toledo, the veteran leader of FURIA, has hinted several times at his exhaustion with the competitive grind. Despite his long-standing reputation as a solid in-game leader, his performance as an AWPer has significantly declined. As FURIA struggles to improve with him at the helm, it’s likely that FalleN will retire in 2025, leaving the Tier 1 scene for good.
HooXi
Rasmus "HooXi" Nielsen, a relatively unproven captain, has shown serious individual weaknesses in recent competitions. Despite having some promise, his lack of consistent performance and limited international experience will likely see him pushed out of the Tier 1 scene in 2025. After his removal from G2, it’s expected that HooXi will only find opportunities in lower-tier teams, potentially in the top 30-40 range.
hallzerk
Håkon "hallzerk" Fjærli, the AWPer for Complexity, has repeatedly failed to deliver the high-level performances required to compete at Tier 1. Though he recently extended his contract, it’s clear that Complexity's ambitions exceed his capabilities. His inability to perform against the top teams makes it likely that hallzerk will be removed from the roster, marking the end of his Tier 1 career.
HObbit
Abay "HObbit" Khassenov, a former champion with Cloud9, has already begun his decline after moving to 1WIN, where the roster remains incomplete and largely inactive. With limited opportunities and his advancing age, it seems unlikely that Hobbit will return to the Tier 1 stage. His lack of international experience, especially in teams with diverse rosters, further diminishes his chances of making a comeback.
Maden
Pavle "Maden" Bošković, currently playing for Falcons, is another player at risk of being cut during roster changes. His inconsistency, especially in Counter-Strike 2, where he has struggled to adapt, makes him a weak link in his team. His performances have been marked by too many highs and lows, and his future in Tier 1 seems bleak.
tabseN
Johannes "tabseN" Wodarz, the long-time leader of BIG, is facing a tough future. With the end of partner tournament systems on the horizon, BIG will likely fall out of the competitive spotlight, and so will tabseN. There is a slim chance that he could join another Tier 1 team like G2, but this is unlikely. The more probable scenario is that tabseN will fade from the top-tier scene along with BIG.
maxster
Max "maxster" Jansson, a player for NIP, is on the verge of being cut from the roster due to the ongoing struggles of his team. NIP’s organizational problems, combined with maxster’s declining performance, make him the prime candidate for removal. His form has been worsening over the past few months, and with the upcoming changes in the tournament system, it’s unlikely he will stay on a Tier 1 roster.
The departure of these players from the Tier 1 scene in 2025 reflects the natural progression of competitive Counter-Strike. As younger and more dynamic talents rise through the ranks, legends and veterans may find themselves unable to keep up with the evolving demands of the game. While some exits may come as a surprise, particularly for long-standing icons like FalleN or tabseN, the reality is that competitive CS2 waits for no one. The unpredictability of roster moves and performance slumps will lead to a significant reshuffling in the Tier 1 landscape next year.
Comments