Which CS2 Teams Improved the Most at the Start of 2025? Positive Transfers
The second full season in CS2 has already begun, and many teams have made necessary or desired roster changes. It’s no secret that the winter transfer window was incredibly eventful, with some transfers that would have seemed impossible just a month ago. The focus here is on teams ranked in the HLTV top 15, where fewer than half have kept their rosters intact. This article highlights teams that truly strengthened their compared to their previous rosters.
Falcons
- Out: dupreeh, Snappi, SunPayus, maden
- In: NiKo, TeSeS, degster, kyxsan
- Current roster: Magisk, NiKo, TeSeS, degster, kyxsan, zonic (coach)
This organization has been under the community’s spotlight, as the owners have been attempting to create a top-tier Counter-Strike roster for years. At the start of 2025, head coach zonic convinced investors to open their wallets again, with over $6,000,000 spent. For this sum, the team acquired one of the best players in the world, Nikola “NiKo” Kovač, a player who would undoubtedly strengthen any roster. The Bosnian has a unique playstyle, minimally reliant on team interactions and built solely on individual skill. No matter the team, NiKo has consistently earned a spot in the top 11 of the HLTV individual rankings for nine consecutive years.
Joining Magisk and NiKo is a trio from HEROIC. Sound familiar? A year ago, zonic pulled off a similar move by bringing in three players from ENCE (Snappi, SunPayus, and maden), who were firmly in the top 10 and regularly reached playoffs in major tournaments. While the new arrivals appear stronger, HEROIC’s core failed to achieve significant results. Even ENCE managed a victory at IEM Dallas 2023.
The experiment is undoubtedly intriguing, but it’s not exactly what the organization’s bosses were hoping for. On paper, the roster is certainly an improvement compared to the form of the previous players at the end of 2024, which is why it’s featured in this article. However, is it strong enough to immediately contend for top spots? Probably not. Much will depend on the synergy between two potential star players: degster as the AWPer and NiKo in his usual rifling role. For the past three years, NiKo’s ideal partner was m0NESY, who excelled at knowing when to take control of the game and when to focus on his role, allowing NiKo to perform his best.
This roster will be fascinating to watch, as it’s hard to predict what Falcons’ next moves will be in the event of failure—or who will benefit most from long-awaited success if they prevail.
Transfer Rating: On paper – 8/10; Feels like – 6/10 (the expectations were higher).
Vitality
- Out: Spinx
- In: ropz
- Current roster: apEX, ZywOo, FlameZ, mezii, ropz
The most unexpected and, in our opinion, the most successful transfer took place within this roster. First, it came at no financial cost (imagine the reaction of Falcons’ investors). Second, the team acquired one of the best players in the world. The Estonian player ropz approaches the game on an entirely different level, even finding value in practicing movement on KZ servers from CS 1.6. His movement, aim, and game sense are exceptional, leading to accusations of cheating early in his career.
Now, ropz joins Vitality, where apEX promotes a disruptive style aimed at derailing opponents’ plans. Previously, this was achieved primarily through ZywOo, but now the Frenchman has another player who knows how to create chaos without any help. Vitality’s management executed this transfer thoughtfully, likely involving the input of team members. Additionally, the roster needed an emotional shake-up, as the team captain expressed dissatisfaction with the atmosphere. The positive and confident ropz seems like the perfect choice to address this issue, making Vitality a strong contender for victories in 2025.
Transfer Rating: 10/10
Team Liquid
- Out YEKINDAR
- In: NertZ
- Current roster: Twistzz, NAF, jks, ultimate, NertZ
Team Liquid was active during the summer transfer window, but their efforts fell short of making them trophy contenders. However, the roster’s results improved significantly, leaving the impression that they were one piece away from completing the puzzle. With all due respect to YEKINDAR, the Latvian player struggled to find his form after the transition to CS2. His decline made his removal seem inevitable, and NertZ appears to be the missing link in this pre-assembled project.
The Israeli player was a standout leader in HEROIC, unafraid to challenge the world’s best riflers and often emerging victorious. The revamped roster inspires optimism: Twistzz continues to adapt to his role as captain, ultimate has grown more confident after six months in the tier-one scene, and NertZ adds firepower and confidence to his teammates.
Transfer Rating: 9/10
Eternal Fire
- In: Calyx
- Out: jottAAA
- Current roster: MAJ3R, XANTARES, woxic, Wicadia, jottAAA
This is a classic story: a team releases an academy player to gain competitive experience, only to bring them back later. A similar scenario played out with siuhy in MOUZ, yielding immediate results. Moreover, the current Eternal Fire lineup resembles a national dream team. After playing in English-speaking lineups, jottAAA will likely find it refreshing to return to Turkish communication.
Returning to a familiar organization and reuniting with players he once looked up to must be a morale boost for jottAAA. This transfer undoubtedly strengthens the team, and any failures will likely be tied to the form of the remaining players. However, there’s little reason to expect this roster to falter—unless age catches up with MAJ3R. The players are yet to win a trophy and are undoubtedly motivated to bring victory to their Turkish fans. With jottAAA, their chances have significantly improved.
Transfer Rating: 9/10
BetBoom Team
- Out: nafany, KaiR0N-
- In: BoombI4, Ax1Le
- Current roster: s1ren, zorte, Magmojez, BoombI4, Ax1Le
It seems Cloud9 has decided to exit the scene, and they managed to sell four of their five main roster players in the process. Compared to the other examples here, BetBoom Team might not have generated as much hype, but this is undeniably an upgrade.
The Cloud9 duo is stronger than any of the existing BetBoom players, and this addition should provide a significant boost. However, it’s too early to call this a solid tier-one lineup.
Transfer Rating: 9/10; Roster Potential: 6/10
Why Didn’t FaZe, G2, or Virtus.pro Make the List?
In the case of FaZe and G2, the answer is straightforward: both teams lost highly skilled and crucial players, even though they secured solid replacements. With all due respect, losing NiKo and ropz is a major blow, especially considering how long they had been integral to G2 and FaZe, respectively. The arrivals of ELiGE and HeavyGod are not steps backward but rather steps onto an entirely new path.
Virtus.pro made solid acquisitions, but the previous roster consisted of five Major winners who failed to achieve their goals. Betting on young talent like FL4MUS and ICY seems like the right move, but everything will depend on electroNic. Denis’s captaincy experience leaves much to be desired, and only time will tell if he can unlock the potential of the younger players.
