Natus Vincere, one of the most recognized names in Counter-Strike, concluded their journey at BLAST Premier: Fall Final 2023 with mixed results, placing 5th-6th overall. The tournament was marked by significant changes in the team's dynamics and strategy, notably due to the debut of Ihor "w0nderful" Zhdanov, who stepped in for the former NAVI’s star Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyliev.
NAVI's tournament run
NAVI's performance was a blend of highs and lows. They started with a loss against Cloud9 (1-2), which included the core of three players, who played for NAVI earlier. Then the team bounced back with a convincing win over Ninjas in Pyjamas (2-0), but ultimately fell to Complexity (1-2) in the quarterfinals. This rollercoaster ride through the tournament highlighted both the potential and challenges the team currently faces.
Player highlights
W0nderful: Stepping into big shoes, w0nderful delivered a solid debut, scoring a 6.4 rating. His more passive sniping style paved the way for a strategic shift in NAVI's gameplay.
Ivan "iM" Mihai: With a 6.3 rating, iM showed a couple of highlights, playing a crucial role in NAVI's dynamics. The Romanian got much more space to shine in the entry duels, but still lacks the consistency he demonstrated at GamerLegion.
Valerii "b1t" Vakhovskyi: Scoring 6.2, b1t contributed significantly to the team's efforts, showcasing his skills in crucial moments.
Strategic and tactical adjustments
With w0nderful's arrival, NAVI exhibited a more diverse playstyle. The team's shift to a more aggressive approach, exploiting the space created by w0nderful's passive sniping, was evident. This change allowed NAVI to engage in quicker rounds, increasing the number of trades and successful clutches.
The impact of Aleksib’s approach is becoming more visible each event. Now the opponents just don’t know what the style of NAVI is. And there is more to come, the IGL has great material to work with. His players are young and hungry for wins, which is very significant in Counter-Strike 2. No player from the active roster of NAVI reached his professional peak yet.
Challenges and Areas for Growth
Despite their potential, NAVI still grapples with emotional control and maintaining composure, especially in high-stakes situations. This was evident in their loss on Nuke. Additionally, the lack of team synergy, partly due to this being their first tournament with the new lineup and limited time for bootcamp, was noticeable.
Looking Forward
NAVI's performance at the BLAST Premier: Fall Final 2023 can be seen as satisfactory. They demonstrated the ability to contend with top-tier teams, securing a win against a weaker opponent and losing closely to the semifinalists.
While not yet in contention for titles, NAVI's current trajectory indicates a promising future, with expectations of stable playoff appearances and continued growth. This tournament marks the beginning of a new chapter for NAVI, one filled with potential and anticipation for what's to come.
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