Ropz on Anubis Flaws & Vitality’s Unstoppable Dynasty!

Look Sports Media – Robin "ropz" Kool, the Estonian lurker renowned for his cerebral play, was undeniably the catalyst behind Team Vitality’s meteoric rise in 2025. After a modest single trophy in 2024, the French powerhouse exploded onto the scene, securing an astounding nine championships, including both coveted Majors, with ropz at the heart of their tactical dominance. At IEM Kraków, a premier Counter-Strike event, looksports.media had the exclusive opportunity to delve into the mind of Vitality’s "star anchor," exploring the intricacies of his inimitable playstyle, his candid thoughts on map changes, and the inspiration he draws from his world-class teammates.

For many, IEM Katowice holds an almost mythical status, its trophy an iconic symbol of Counter-Strike supremacy. As the tournament shifted its grand final stage to Kraków, ropz reflected on the change of scenery. "As a player, you don’t really notice a difference," he mused, highlighting that the true essence of the event transcends location. "The trophy is the same. I think the trophy is the biggest vibe-setter… it sets the really unique tone." For ropz, the prestige remains intact, a testament to the enduring legacy of the Polish major.

When pressed on Vitality’s preparation, especially given team captain apEX’s previous comments about their rigorous approach, ropz offered a deceptively simple answer: "Nothing specific, we just play the game, play aimbots and deathmatch, check some nades, come up with new nades, that’s it." This seemingly casual response, however, belies a profound mastery that has puzzled analysts and opponents alike. The interviewer’s skepticism was palpable, questioning how such a minimalist routine could foster a playstyle so instinctively predictive and difficult to replicate.

Ropz clarified that his unique approach isn’t a recent development but rather a deeply ingrained methodology cultivated since his early days in FPL and FPLC around 2015-2016. "I had this playstyle from like 2016… I never changed my roles or my career, basically; I always had the same roles," he explained. This consistency, a "luxury" many professional players don’t experience, has allowed him to refine his "star anchor" and "lurky" positions to an unparalleled degree. He attributes his uncanny ability to peek the correct angles to fundamental understanding, unwavering confidence, and an immense volume of repetition. "I’ve had these roles for years and years, and you just have way more reps on the maps, clearing the angles," he stated, estimating he might have cleared specific areas like "apps" on maps "10,000 times." This blend of innate talent, consistent role execution, and sheer dedication forms the bedrock of his distinctive game sense.

However, ropz didn’t shy away from critiquing the recent Anubis map update, labeling it "underwhelming." He expressed a common sentiment among pros that "the players expected more" from the changes. His primary concern revolves around the map’s balance, particularly the difficulty for Counter-Terrorists (CTs) to defend bombsites. "The map has some issues with the bombsites and not being able to defend it, and the T’s have a lot of… opportunities to just get on the bombsite, and the CTs don’t have as much to defend," he elaborated. He also pointed out challenges with CT rotations and felt that the mid-door reversal and canal window relocation did little to address the core imbalance. While acknowledging the update’s early phase, ropz remains hopeful for more impactful adjustments to make Anubis a more balanced competitive arena.

Beyond his individual prowess, ropz is deeply integrated into Vitality’s collective strength. Teammate mezii has previously cited ropz’s relentless work ethic as a team inspiration. Ropz reciprocated this sentiment, finding motivation in his teammates’ exceptional skills. "We have incredibly skilled players that are probably some of the best in each category of their corresponding roles," he proudly stated. He highlighted Mathieu "ZywOo" Herbaut as "the best player in the world," Dan "apEX" Madesclaire as "one of the best IGLs," mezii as "one of the best anchors," and Shahar "flameZ" Shushan for his "pure entry" talent and "no selfishness." FlameZ’s willingness to consistently lead the charge particularly inspires ropz "to be better as a teammate and just a better person in general." Witnessing their "incredible mechanics and aim" in action, he explained, serves as a constant reminder that "all the work that you’re putting in, it’s paying off in very small details." This mutual inspiration fuels Vitality’s relentless pursuit of perfection, a key factor in their unprecedented success.