Thorin: “NAVI is no longer an elite team; its poor results are entirely to be expected.”
Analysts Duncan “Thorin” Shields and Jacob “Pimp” Winneke discussed the need for roster changes at Natus Vincere’s Counter-Strike 2 team in the latest episode of the Counter-Points podcast, assessed the form of Drin “makazze” Shakiri, and the coaching skills of Andrey “B1ad3” Gorodensky, and also discussed the current standing of the “Born to Win” team on the pro scene.
On the Need for Roster Changes at Natus Vincere
Pimp: NAVI is playing so poorly that it risks missing the PGL Singapore Major 2026. The team has everything it needs to be among the best and compete for trophies, but right now it’s just wasting time with this roster. B1ad3 will likely keep the current roster until the winter break, but I’d like to see changes right now.
Thorin: I’ve always pointed out the lack of star players on NAVI’s roster. Based on their roles, b1t should be the star player, but he isn’t racking up high ratings. Similarly, w0nderful is a good sniper, but he can’t be compared to ZywOo and m0NESY. If you look at the other players, it’s clear that NAVI relies on tactics rather than firepower. However, even B1ad3 makes it clear that he wants changes to the roster. He realizes that this team is no longer capable of achieving top results.
On makazze’s form
Pimp: The last four months have been terrible for makazze; his average rating is one. He plays the same positions as donk, participates in one-on-one duels, and has a lot of freedom, but he isn’t contributing at all. makazze is a very talented player who isn’t living up to his potential. At first, we made excuses for him, but after a year under B1ad3’s guidance and an MVP award at ESL Pro League Season 23, he needs to consistently perform at a high level.
About B1ad3
Thorin: I think B1ad3 has gotten the most out of this roster, but NAVI’s management isn’t giving him the necessary transfers. Of course, there are coaches who specialize in bringing out talent... But the problem is that I’ve seen B1ad3 win a Major with one of the most star-studded teams in CS history—featuring s1mple, electroNic, and a young b1t. I’d like to see him with a strong roster—that way, we can figure out if the current system is NAVI’s main problem. Right now, B1ad3 needs a breath of fresh air. With these players, there’s no way he could keep winning indefinitely—not even in theory.
On NAVI’s current situation
Thorin: NAVI is no longer an elite team; its poor results are entirely justified. In my rankings, this team is at best in 10th place. I want to see how they’ll fare against FaZe or MIBR—these teams are on par right now. Natus Vincere’s situation is getting worse and worse.
Pimp: NAVI is no longer capable of signing star players like frozen, EliGE, or Senzu, nor a captain of Krabeni’s caliber. It seems to me that the team’s appeal has hit rock bottom. NAVI had opportunities to revamp its roster, but it failed to take advantage of them and now finds itself in a difficult position.
Earlier, host James “BanKs” Banks, along with analysts Jonathan “Devilwalk” Lundberg and Dustin “dusT” Mure discussed magic’s performance at StarLadder StarSeries Fall 2026 on the All About Counter-Strike podcast and speculated about the future of the team’s roster.
Photo by Igor Bezborodov, StarLadder.
