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The in-game leader of the main team, Benjamin "blameF" Bremer, is keen to deliver a strong performance in the roster's debut in a competitive CS2 tournament. The 26-year-old rifler has dedicated countless hours in the practice room alongside his teammates over the past two weeks, personally completing a minimum of 200 matches in the new, upgraded version of Counter-Strike.
In this Q&A, blameF shares his thoughts on the new game, its pros and cons, and discusses the potential development of the meta, as well as the tendencies he observed during the intense matches at IEM Sydney 2023
What do you expect from your CS2 debut?
- I believe—and truly hope—that we will have a strong start in our first competitive CS2 tournament. However, we must get accustomed to the new game when playing an official match. It's our first tournament; fortunately, it's online, so the pressure isn't as intense as if we had been in, for example, Sydney. In my opinion, the result doesn't matter as much right now as the learning process does. We need to grasp the game's complexities before participating in the major LAN events in the upcoming months.
- We haven't had a specific focus in our recent weeks of practice; it's more of a general emphasis. Nonetheless, it's a privilege that we've had two weeks of training to familiarize ourselves with the game. This is especially true when other teams have been traveling a lot, engaging in official matches, and not having adequate time for thorough practice.
Can you highlight some of the most exciting changes to CS as we know it?
- Of course. The game's structure and mechanics differ considerably from CS:GO. One of the most notable changes is the ability to use HE grenades to negate and disperse smoke grenades. In combination with the peeker's advantage, this feature significantly transforms defensive strategy dynamics. Achieving multi-kills has become more challenging, emphasizing the importance of trading kills.
- I appreciate that we can disperse and push through smoke with grenades. This undoubtedly varies the dynamics of rounds and plays. Additionally, how smoke grenades spread on the ground is a nice touch. However, the duration of the smoke's effectiveness is unreasonable; it now lasts too long. For instance, if you throw three smokes consecutively, you can block a spot for almost a minute or longer, which is problematic.
Are you guys excited about finally playing a competitive CS2 tournament?
- Oh, well, yes. But honestly, it's not that big of a deal for me. I recognize it's a new game, but on the other hand, it doesn't feel like I'm playing Counter-Strike for the very first time. It feels more like a new update of CS:GO, even though the dynamics have certainly changed. We're still the same teams with the same roles. We don't employ the same strategies, but our philosophies remain consistent across various maps.
- Nevertheless, it's crucial that we demonstrate from the outset that CS2 is our domain, and I'm confident we'll deliver a stellar performance at the Roobet Cup. The most pressing concern right now is to grasp the nuances of CS2 as quickly as possible so we don't allow other teams to gain an advantage by understanding some new facets of the game before we do.
- I've watched some of the matches from IEM Sydney, but I haven't seen any groundbreaking ways to play CS2 until now.
The IGL did observe that players seem more inclined to take confrontational duels and rush the sites due to the peeker's advantage in CS2.
- It's more enjoyable to engage in duels now, given the significant peeker's advantage in CS2. Maintaining your aim and position in defensive positions is challenging because it feels abrupt when players swing around a corner.
- It's likely due to the sub-tick rate or another factor, but it's genuinely hard to hold a position with a consistent aim. When opponents suddenly swing around a corner, they're likely to win the duel due to the advantage and momentum. Even when you're aiming with the AWP, it isn't easy. So yes, it's now more appealing to peek opponents.
And in terms of MR12?
- Yes, it's nice. I'm a fan. From a strategic point of view, I'm fully on board, especially after playing a minimum of 200 matches in CS2.
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