Nicolai “device” Reedtz, one of the greatest figures in Counter-Strike history, has once again proven himself as a player capable of winning games single-handedly. His performance in the PGL Major Astana 2025 semifinal against Aurora Gaming was not just a key to Astralis’ victory — it became a symbol of the team’s return to championship ambitions.
Train – a Stage for Greatness
The match against Aurora was one of the toughest for Astralis in the tournament. After a shaky start on Mirage (11:13) and a solid comeback on Nuke (13:8), everything was decided on the third map — Train, which had just been reintroduced into the map pool. And it was here that device delivered arguably one of the best performances of his CS2 career.
Device opened the map with a pistol round ace, setting the tone for the entire game. His aggressive yet calculated AWP play completely dismantled Aurora’s plans. Beyond the frags, it was his calm dominance in clutch situations, trade kills, and positional excellence that defined the map.
Community Reactions
Following Astralis’ semifinal victory, social media and HLTV forums exploded with emotion. Fans celebrated the return of the legendary squad to a grand final, mixing sarcasm with sincere excitement:
“LET’S GO BOIS!!!! #ToTheStars!”
— Andengommi“Speechless. HooXi is such a great IGL. He can turn trash Astralis into top-tier Astralis. With some aim work, this team will shine again.”
— ivanovky“Staehr-way to heaven.”
— sweatypalms“He’s gonna do to Astralis what he did to G2. Bring them relevancy and probably a few titles.”
— rOtten_97“GIGACHAD MASTERCLASS.”
— tldr“Finally Astralis getting back in tier 1. HooXi just god IGL.”
— laiziolas
Many compared HooXi’s impact to what he previously brought to G2, crediting him with rebooting Astralis. Some went as far as saying he was exactly what the team had been missing all along. The support wave was undeniable — Astralis hadn’t felt this much collective hype in years.
A Performance Beyond Expectation
This was no ordinary match for device. For a player who has been consistent but rarely explosive over the past two years, this was a full-fledged renaissance:
- Highest LAN rating in CS2: previous peak was 1.51 at ESL Pro League S18.
- 127.7 ADR: 30% higher than the tournament average.
- 2.31 Impact: the best among all semifinalists.
This wasn’t just a highlight — it was a message: device is not done yet.
Team Synergy: It Wasn’t Just device
Despite device’s phenomenal individual performance, the victory was built on full team execution:
- Staehr: 18 kills, 118.3 ADR, 2.00 rating — a second MVP-worthy showing with great trades and mid control.
- Stavn: 14 kills, 102.5 ADR, 1.57 rating — calm, consistent play in crucial rounds.
- Jabbi: 10 kills, 1.16 rating — perfect support for device, with flashes and covers.
- HooXi: fewer frags, but immense IGL value — creating scenarios where device could thrive.
All five players worked in sync. Astralis looked less like a one-man show and more like a structured, unified roster.
A Return to the Final After Five and a Half Years
Astralis reached their first big-event LAN final since 2019, when they won the BLAST Pro Series Global Final with their golden-era lineup. Since then, the organization faced turbulence: roster shuffles, instability, and a fall from the elite ranks.
The win over Aurora at PGL Astana 2025 wasn’t just competitive — it was symbolic. This final wasn’t a nostalgic fluke; it was the result of rebuilding a core powered by youth, experience, and clearly defined roles.
“Been waiting a long time for this…”
— Fewless
The HooXi Effect
When Astralis benched cadiaN just weeks before the Major, few expected the sudden return of HooXi, who hadn’t played professionally since August 2024. But rather than chaos, Astralis found control. HooXi immediately brought order to the system and unlocked the potential of device and the younger core.
“Who is HooXi? For the blind, he is the vision. For the hungry, he is the chef… If HooXi has no fans, I don’t exist.”
— LegendOfDonce
His leadership, game reading, and tempo management transformed Astralis into a confident, disciplined machine. Though his stat line was modest, the tactical impact was huge. This wasn’t just a stand-in — HooXi may be exactly what Astralis needs for long-term success.
Astralis are back in a Major final for the first time since their era of dominance. Their journey — from a loss to Spirit, to redemption versus NAVI, to transformation against Aurora — is the story of a team finding itself again.
Device, with a tournament average rating of 1.37, looks like a genuine MVP contender. If he performs in the final at even 70% of his Train level, Astralis could very well lift the trophy.
This wasn’t just another playoff match. It was a statement. Device isn’t a relic — he’s a champion reborn. And Astralis? They’re favorites again.
