To say that Cloud9’s CS:GO Roster is unstable is an understatement. The organization’s momentum after winning the ELEAGUE Boston Major was throttled by a series of unfortunate roster moves. After Jake “stewie2k” Yip left the squad in March 2018, Cloud9 haven’t gone more than 63 days without making a roster change.
In the most recent rankings released by HLTV.org, Cloud9 is now considered the number 138 best team in the world. How does a team go from Major champions to number 138? These five terrible and sometimes bizarre roster moves might be the answer.
-Stewie2k
The trouble for Cloud9 began when Stewie2k accepted an offer to join MIBR (then-SK Gaming). This was the first domino to fall in what would be a series of frequent and disappointing roster moves. Stewie2k’s buyout by Immortals netted the Cloud9 organization a record amount of money, but I doubt they would do it over again.
+ FNS - FNS
After Stewie2k left, Pujan “FNS” Mehta was brought into the Cloud9 CS:GO roster to IGL. However, this experiment did not last very long. FNS’ tenure in the team lasted less than two months, and he parted with Cloud9 after “differences in philosophies" between him and the team created tension. For FNS’ last event with Cloud9, Tarik “tarik” Celik ended up retaking the mantle of IGL.
-tarik
After Stewie2k’s exit and the failed FNS experiment, Cloud9 suffered a series of disappointing tournament results and an unstable future for the team. Unsatisfied with Cloud9, Tarik asked to join MIBR. Allowing tarik to exit was unacceptable from Cloud9. Tarik led the team to victory at the Boston Major as IGL and was a core component of their roster. If losing Stewie2k was a wound, losing tarik was an execution.
+ Zellsis
After Maikil “Golden” Selim’s health issues caused Cloud9 to scramble for a stand-in for the Katowice Major, the organization turned to Jordan “Zellsis” Montemurro. Zellsis is a young, inexperienced player that was noticeably out of place on the Cloud9 roster. Zellsis actually performed well considering the circumstances and the fault here is on the Cloud9 organization. Could Cloud9 seriously not get anyone more experienced to stand in for them at the biggest tournament in CS:GO?
-kioshima
The latest roster blunder for Cloud9 is the loss of Fabien “kioShiMa Fiey. KioShiMa, who had played with Cloud9 for almost six months, had performed well and fit into the team’s chemistry. KioShima had turned a roster move that was questionable at the first announcement into a universally agreed upon net benefit for Cloud9. It’s unclear at this time if kioShiMa was kicked or asked to leave, but it’s simply not acceptable for Cloud9 to let him go. With his exit, Cloud9 have lost their spot at the upcoming Berlin Major tournament.
Cloud9 has made a number of confusing roster moves that have simply devalued their name in the CS:GO scene. The revolving door that has been the Cloud9 CS:GO roster since early 2018 must end. Cloud9 must secure a long term roster and begin to rebuild their legacy. Cloud9 currently is playing with a stand-in and lack a 5th player. Fans can only hope that the worst is over when it comes to Cloud9’s terrible roster changes, but their situation remains bleak.
Cover Photo courtesy of ELEAGUE
