ENCE made headlines on May 29 with a surprising shake-up to their Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) roster. Two key players, rifler Dycha and AWPer Hades, were benched, making way for veteran sdy and young talent Paavo “podi” Heiskanen.
While Dycha’s benching was somewhat anticipated due to his recent performance, the decision to bench Hades, one of ENCE’s standout players, left fans baffled.
Roster Changes
Players Benched
- Dycha: The Polish rifler has struggled in recent months, with a disappointing 0.98 rating according to HLTV. His performance has been below par in several tournaments, making his benching less surprising.
- Hades: In stark contrast, Hades has been a top performer for ENCE, boasting a solid 1.13 rating. His exceptional plays and consistent performance have often been pivotal for the team, making his benching a controversial move.
New Additions
- sdy (Viktor Orudzhev): A veteran in the CS2 scene, sdy brings experience and leadership to the team. His addition is seen as a strategic move to stabilize and strengthen the roster.
- Paavo “podi” Heiskanen: A promising young talent, podi is expected to bring fresh energy and new dynamics to the team.
Community Reaction
The community’s reaction to these changes has been mixed, with many fans expressing shock and disbelief, particularly regarding Hades’ benching.
- Express, an esports content creator, exclaimed: “HADES??? ARE YOU DRUNK???” on ENCE’s announcement post on X (formerly Twitter).
- Another fan echoed the sentiment with: “Wait hades? wtf.”
- One comparison made by a fan highlighted the perceived downgrade: “Hades for podi is Jks for nexa type of downgrade.”
ENCE’s Recent Performance
ENCE’s recent performance has been a rollercoaster. The roster, formed in December last year, initially showed great promise:
- IEM Katowice 2024 Playoffs: The Polish team achieved significant success by qualifying for the playoffs, a major milestone given the home crowd advantage.
- PGL Copenhagen CS2 Major: They also qualified for this prestigious tournament.
However, their journey at the Major was short-lived, finishing with a 1-3 record in the Opening Stage. This disappointing outcome marked the beginning of their struggles, ultimately leading to the recent roster changes.
Conclusion
The decision to bench Dycha and Hades has stirred up considerable controversy among fans and analysts alike. While Dycha’s performance issues provided some justification, Hades’ benching remains a perplexing move given his stellar stats and crucial role in the team.
As ENCE looks to rebuild and strategize for future competitions, all eyes will be on sdy and podi to see if they can fill the big shoes left by their predecessors and propel the team to new heights.
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