The RMRs for the Perfect World Shanghai Major are upon us. What I’ve deemed the most important tournament of the year is always rife with upsets: Nafany’s Cloud9 failing to reach Paris, Astralis missing out on three consecutive Majors, and Hooxi’s G2 losing the chance to play in Rio. On the flip side, there have been triumphs by teams who have etched their names into Counter-Strike history with dream runs. These runs have built careers for players like Boombl4, jL, and the boys from Bad News Eagles.
I’ve decided to highlight one team from every RMR that I think has a puncher’s chance at securing a place at the Perfect World Shanghai Major—and that life-changing sticker money.
DRILLAS – Asia RMR
DRILLAS are currently ranked #91 by HLTV. By the time this article is published, DRILLAS’ run may already be recorded on the event marquee as they surprise everyone through the Asia RMR. I truly believe this team to be overqualified to be playing in the Asia RMR. To have four European players, I’m not mincing my words, should be declared illegal in this tournament. That is my firm stance: you should not be able to play the Asia RMR with four Europeans.
However, Valve’s incompetence in creating comprehensive rules works to Ohnepixel’s benefit. I also won’t penalize my own judgment of the team for slipping through with this lineup. Woro2k is the standout player for me. His ability to AWP-IGL is severely underrated in what was a tumultuous period with Monte following the BLAST Paris Major. He’s still one of the 25 best AWPers in the world—more than any of the other teams in this RMR can claim, with the exception of The Mongolz’s 910.
Despite his tenure with Falcons, Envy, and 3DMAX, hAdji has never participated in a Major. He’s competed in multiple European RMRs, often falling short in the past by a single map for Rio. SENER1 has been part of one of the best underdog stories in recent history with three Major appearances at Antwerp, Rio, and Paris. Kvem and meztal have less experience but regularly face Tier 2 European competition.
This all blends to form a perfect storm of overqualified individuals who now have the power of belief on their side. With a shocking Bo3 win streak of five matches to qualify through the Middle Eastern qualifier, this team has shown a willingness to play entirely in Europe in preparation. They’ve competed in CCT and lower-ranked events to win two online cups—and that, I’d say, is more than enough.
The level of Asian teams is known to be weaker than in Europe, and unless other Asian teams have dedicated all their time leading up to the RMRs to practice in Europe, DRILLAS would have had better preparation for the three months leading up to this tournament.
I predict that we’ll see Ohnepixel’s face on children’s guns everywhere.
Red Canids – Americas RMR
Red Canids are currently ranked #29 on HLTV. With seven slots available at the Americas RMR, I think they can play their way past some of the other fringe teams, such as 9z and Imperial.
I have already written about dav1deuS for SkinClub and how his blend of aggressive rifling with mid-round decision-making makes him a force to be reckoned with. I also believe nython has gained more clarity on what he does and does not want from this team. The synergy in mid-rounds, in general, has looked sharp for Red Canids. They recently took down Imperial on LAN at the CBCS Masters, along with Bestia (another fringe contender for an Americas spot).
I have seen their flaws, though. nython’s individual level has been especially poor, which is what happens when you turn a plateaued AWPer into a rifling IGL. However, Red Canids are especially difficult to beat in the rare game where he performs well.
On top of that, coldzera has regained form. In 2024, coldzera has a 1.07 rating against Top 20 opponents across 21 maps. A reminder: this is using Rating 2.1, so reframe your perception of what a 1.07 means, as most players dropped about 0.4 in rating with the switch from 2.0 to 2.1. Roughly speaking, he has had a 1.11 against Top 20 opponents this year on LAN. For my money, that is a great comeback.
HEN1 is also reliable as ever. A passive AWPer, he seems to do his best work in the late-round clutch or when pressed back into a corner. That’s where he truly shines. venomzera is still developing, but I think this team is coming into the Americas RMR with some wind in their sails, proving to be a cut above the highly competitive Brazilian region.
B8 – Europe RMR A
B8 have been carving up online and have the maps to show for it. In 2023, headtr1ck played 161 maps for NIP. Since joining B8 in May, he has played 264. He’s played over 100 more maps in about half the amount of time. B8 also have the online hardware stacking up (not talking about cheats).
B8 have won eight cups and/or qualifiers since headtr1ck joined. Every single player has a clearly defined role, and npl is also having a huge resurgence as an individual. Somehow molding himself after electroNic as both a caller and a star rifler, npl has proven that he is one of the best prospects in Eastern Europe in both positions.
I also have to say, I enjoy support players who don’t embarrass themselves. esenthial’s worst characteristic is that you need to pronounce his name as if you have a lisp. I’ve enjoyed his aim in anchor and lurk roles, with swift time to kill and a knack for delivering an extra 90 damage with a quick dink before being dispatched on his bombsites. alex666 will be an X-factor for this team. I’ve seen days where he’s outshining the two fallen tier-1 prospects, but on other days, he’s the worst player in the server among both teams.
Cloud9 – Europe RMR B
I was torn between a couple of teams when picking from RMR B. I first considered Sangal, but they are technically in the top 7 of that RMR in HLTV rankings. I also thought about Fnatic, with the recent addition of nawwk, who I view as an improvement over afro. But seeing Cloud9 at #76 in the world was too good to pass up.
This team should be operating as a top 40 team in the world at a bare minimum. I had my reservations about some of the pieces here, and unfortunately, my biggest gripe does fall on their weakest statistical player, interz. BBL interz (if you know, you know) has played himself into becoming a losing condition for this team with his archaic style of supporting, but there is still enough to work with that I would give this team a chance.
HeavyGod does not care what situation he is in. This guy is one of the 10 best anchors in the world, and to see him toiling away on a team that wouldn’t even have a chance to enter the top 20 next year is criminal. He should be somewhere better, or Cloud9 should change pieces around him.
On top of that, Boombl4 is still a good IGL in my eyes. This team’s cohesion has been awkward, but given the personnel they’re working with, I expect to see improvement in their play upon a switch to LAN.
