Cloud9 are rumoured to be set for a roster change, with daps coming in to take over the role of the In-game Leader, with TenZera the other touted addition. The changes will add some much-needed structure to their lineup.
But, there still remains the question of what role cajunb will assume. Autimatic has proven to be a better option for the BIG Green Gun and the Dane, without the awp, does not add much value on the server.
Alternatively, to get Autimatic to perform at his optimum level, the Major winner should be allowed to focus primarily on assault. This, invariably, makes the addition of a primary AWPer a priority, with cajunb likely to make way.
We now look at some of the potential candidates.
Dream
- Tyler “Skadoodle” Latham
Skadaddy’s form was one of the major reasons of Cloud9’s unprecedented Boston Major triumph. The AWPer has announced his retirement but did come back for the organization once before. Who’s to say he won’t be open to doing it again, this time with a more stable roster and a genuine pathway towards what the future holds for the organization.
A player that knows the organization inside out and has achieved success while being associated with them, Skadoodle’s return will also prove to be a boost for the fans who have been put through a rough time by the varied iterations of Cloud9’s roster.
Cloud9 fans will always be tempted with the prospect of another ‘I’m not crying, you are’ moment.
- Cvetelin “CeRq” Dimitrov
While Skadoodle’s return would really be a dream, this is the ideal dream scenario for Cloud9. Bringing in a player that is on the up-and-up and has already worked under daps could be beneficial in adapting to the new IGL’s playing style.
Also, Cerq’s parting message to daps showed how much respect the Bulgarian has for his former IGL and would not hesitate in taking up the prospect of linking with him again if NRG fails to make their chances count at the Starladder Major.
Realistic
- Kenneth “koosta” Suen (High Probability)
Cloud9 could save a lot of potential cost with this move while also bringing in a player that was hyped a lot but just couldn’t live up to it. The North American has since learnt a lot and has gone through his paces after his failure at Liquid.
koosta has shown spades of brilliance under steel at Ghost and could be tempted to take up the opportunity of competing in all top-tier events once again. Now that daps has proven himself as a quality IGL, koosta could hope to continue learning the ropes of the game under the Canadian.
- Matthew “Wardell” Yu (Medium Probability)
Another player mentored by steel, wardell will probably be a better choice for Cloud9. But, considering the fact that the youngster is still contracted to Ghost, the organization might be looking to build a new roster altogether around the eccentric AWPer.
Cloud9 will have to pay the buyout, even if wardell is interested in a move. This move is likely to materialize in the future if the koosta thing does not pan out as desired.
Wildcard
- Oscar “mixwell” Cañellas Colocho
Already a proven prospect over in North America during the glory days of Optic, Mixwell has been heading a local project back in Spain with Movistar Riders. The team had gathered good results. But, their roster was again picked apart as HellRaisers chose to buy out loWel.
With his partner-in-crime now gone, Mixwell could opt to venture out again, having not been a part of top-tiered events for a while now. The dream of a Spanish team might just have to wait if Mixwell is to realise his own true potential in his career.
Overall, we expect Cloud9 to add koosta to their squad, which would make the roster something like this.
- Damian “daps” Steele (IGL)
- Timothy “autimatic” Ta
- Will “RUSH” Wierzba
- Tyson “TenZera” Ngo
- Kenneth “koosta” Suen
