Look Sports Media – The StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is about to explode onto the scene on November 24th, with Stage 1 setting the stage for intense competition. Sixteen teams will battle it out in the opening Swiss stage, vying for a coveted spot further in the tournament. These squads, representing the lower echelons of the Valve Regional Standings (VRS), are hungry to prove their worth.
Counter-Strike Majors are often defined by teams that can hit the ground running and maintain momentum. Let’s dissect the 16 contenders in Stage 1 and assess their chances based on recent form and potential. Each team will be evaluated on their likelihood of advancing, ranging from "Extremely Likely" to "Extremely Unlikely."
Legacy:
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Despite being in Stage 1, Legacy’s recent performance suggests they should be much further along. Since the October 6th invite cutoff, they’ve been on a tear, securing second place at PGL Masters Bucharest and claiming victory at the CS Asia Championships. This resurgence mirrors that of Furia, who now top the VRS. If the draw were today, Legacy would skip straight to Stage 3. Stage 1 is their hurdle, but they should clear it easily.
Prediction: Extremely likely to advance.
FaZe:
FaZe’s presence in Stage 1 highlights their struggles this year. Ranked #16 in the VRS, a far cry from their back-to-back Major Grand Finals appearances in 2024, they’ve undergone multiple roster changes. Their only recent outings with the current lineup at the CS Asia Championships and IEM Chengdu were disappointing. While individual performances from jcobbb and Twistzz have shown promise at times, the team hasn’t clicked. They seem unlikely to rediscover their "FaZe magic," but they still hold an edge over many Stage 1 teams.
Prediction: Likely to advance, will give fans a heart attack regardless.
GamerLegion:
GamerLegion has struggled with confidence in the latter half of the year. After a strong spring and early summer, the team regressed, particularly in finding a reliable AWPer. However, the signing of hypex seems to have revitalized the rifling core. A positive showing at PGL Masters Bucharest indicates that REZ, PR, and Tauson are finding their form again. Confidence is key for GamerLegion, and they’ve regained some at the right time.
Prediction: Likely to advance.
Fnatic:
Fnatic’s decision to replace CYPHER with jackasmo before the Major was a gamble. While CYPHER’s stats were modest, jackasmo’s less aggressive playstyle risks disrupting the team’s structure. This was evident in their Overpass performance against GamerLegion at PGL Masters Bucharest. To succeed, players may need to adapt their instincts for the team’s benefit. However, the core’s familiarity should enable BlameF to make an impact, at least in Stage 1.
Prediction: Strong chance of advancing.
Ninjas in Pyjamas:
NiP’s form is concerning. After a long journey to qualify for the Major, their progress seems to have stalled. Despite carefully selecting LANs to build VRS points, they lack experience in Tier 1 events and have struggled when facing top opposition. A last-place finish at PGL Masters Bucharest doesn’t inspire confidence. Snappi’s experience might help, but the roster’s overall potential is questionable.
Prediction: Unlikely to advance.
M80:
Back with their old logo, are M80 back in form? They’ve been active in NA LANs, finishing second at Fragadelphia Ultra Mega Jersey and winning DreamHack Knockout Atlanta. Their potential for surprises was evident at BLAST London. However, they were eliminated in Stage 1 at ESL Pro League. M80’s high ceiling is paired with a low floor, making them difficult to predict.
Prediction: Strong chance of advancing.
NRG:
NRG enters the Major with strong domestic form, including Frag tournament victories. Additions of XotiC and Sonic have bolstered the roster’s firepower and stability. The implosion of Wildcard has elevated NRG in the NA rankings, but whether that translates to success is uncertain.
Prediction: Unlikely to advance.
Lynn Vision:
Lynn Vision remains unchanged from their impressive BLAST.tv Austin Major run. Victories against GamerLegion, 3DMAX, and paiN demonstrate their continued capabilities. Domestically, they consistently outperform other Chinese rosters, except for Tyloo. Another Stage 3 run is unlikely, but they are likely to advance from Stage 1.
Prediction: Likely to advance.
Imperial:
Imperial is the second-strongest Brazilian team in Stage 1, but their domestic form is inconsistent. The signing of Shr proved unsuccessful, with skullz taking his place. The team feels solid, if not spectacular. Each player has extensive Major experience, and try’s exceptional AWPing could be a game-changer.
Prediction: Strong chance of advancing.
FlyQuest:
Jks returns to play for an Australian organization for the first time since Berlin 2019! FlyQuest is showing signs of improvement, finding balance in utilizing regali’s aggressive AWPing and INS’s impactful IGLing. However, a lack of firepower could be an issue at the Major.
Prediction: Unlikely to advance.
Parivision:
After initial struggles, Parivision, under Jame and dastan, has found its stride. Recent months have seen them dominate Tier 2 Counter-Strike. It might be "Jame Time" again. Their experience should position them well to convert their form into Stage 1 wins.
Prediction: Likely to advance.
Fluxo:
Fluxo went 0-3 at the BLAST.TV Austin Major and is likely to be a popular 0-3 pick again. While Lucaozy and decenty are upgrades on paper, recent results haven’t been dramatically improved.
Prediction: Unlikely to advance.
Rare Atom:
Rare Atom has cemented itself as the "best of the rest" in the Chinese scene, but struggles against regional rivals. Chances against Tier 1 opposition have been rare and unsuccessful. The roster has also struggled with its composition.
Prediction: Extremely unlikely to advance.
The Huns:
The Huns represent the romantic story of Mongolian Counter-Strike. However, despite the cultural significance and the players’ connection to The MongolZ’s success, this is likely as far as they will go.
Prediction: Extremely unlikely to advance.
Red Canids:
Red Canids is the lowest-ranked team at the Major. While they have wins against MIBR and Fluxo, they are likely at the bottom of the pile.
Prediction: Extremely unlikely to advance.
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