The Recap - 2025 EP01

Written by Joshua “OnlyJoshinTV” Warmington

Welcome to The Recap, the weekly content series covering Counter-Strike in the ANZ region with a touch of global action here and there. We aim to provide a regular series covering our region, from ESEA Open, ECL, and global events, to local LAN and online tournaments hosted here at home.

FlyQuest benches aliStair, acquires regali

With the drums of rostermania beating, FlyQuest have finally bent the knee to the overwhelming amount of criticism surrounding aliStair. The vultures had been calling for aliStair’s benching ever since ESL Cologne 2023.

FlyQuest were quick to swoop in on the young Romanian AWPer regali, formerly playing with Entropiq, OG, and Copenhagen Flames.

Regali was impressive at his last tournament (BLAST Premier Spring Showdown), posting a 1.28 HLTV rating and finding plenty of opening round impact with the big green. In my opinion regali is an upgrade from an ability perspective and was a massive win condition at OG.

He does lack in the utility and support element where aliStair was crucial given that the Aussie was third overall in flash assists and time blinded at the Shanghai Major. He’s also widely considered the de facto “voice” of FlyQuest and was often seen geeing up the boys while on the server.

Commentator TeaTime had mentioned that dexter’s leadership style had impacted AWPers previous such as acoR while he was at MOUZ. I disagree with that notion given dexter’s success with torszi who is a much aggressive AWPer — regali wants to be exactly that.

Semper Fi: The Price of Progress

Semper Fi was eliminated at United 21 Season 24 after losses to Astralis Talent and los kogutos who are lower-end tier two teams.

Semper Fi managed to win a map against both teams which exceeded my expectations. They were also competitive in their series, going the distance with two agonising 13-11 losses.

It was a quite an even performance between all the players on Semper Fi with Valiance, SaVage, vision, keen, and shadiy popping off at various points during the event.

Global rostermania begins

The first move has rocked the world with ropz departing FaZe Clan and preparing for a move to Vitality. It’s heavily rumoured Spinx will be the man to make way, according to French streamer KRL.

The ropz move to Vitality was completely unexpected especially after an amazing run with FaZe in the Perfect World Shanghai Major.

There have been other moves mainly with BIG benching rigoN and syrsoN. I was a bit surprised that BIG didn’t wish to keep rigoN on the roster until the June Player break. rigoN had only been on BIG for six months.

Meanwhile in the APAC scene, Lynn Vision has managed to reclaim starry back from TYLOO at a steep cost. Starry initially went to TYLOO for free as his contract had expired. There is also another rumour circulating that JamYoung may join Lynn Vision as well.

Looks like the “Chinese Astralis” TYLOO squad is starting to fall apart while “Chinese HEROIC” in Lynn Vision is rising. I feel that the post-major rostermania is only just beginning… and teams won’t have long to lock in their squads as BLAST Bounty is right around the corner.

Have a Happy New Year everyone, and I hope to see you all on the flipside for 2025!