With the sheer amount of hungry young players coming through FPL and tier two/three every year, it’s getting more and more difficult to build a long-lasting career as a top Counter-Strike pro. However, there are enigmas that have found the key to incredible longevity, with FaZe Clan’s rain being the prime example. The Norwegian has already spent over eight years with the organization and shows no signs of slowing down, with his team being the one to beat at the moment.
But what’s the secret to rain’s longevity not only within FaZe Clan but the Counter-Strike scene as a whole?
Credit: FaZe Clan
Firstly, there’s no denying that on an individual level, rain is simply one of the best riflers in Counter-Strike history. The Norwegian’s elite mechanics helped him deliver tons of impact every time he joined the server throughout his illustrious career.
His numerous achievements speak for themselves – one Major title, 20 notable trophies, and four career MVP medals. There are not many active players that boast more impressive resumes than that.
rain’s talent extends past his aim, as his game sense and positional awareness are also second to none. That’s why he is regarded as one of the best CT players in certain positions, like Yard on Nuke, or A anchor on Mirage. You might not have noticed that those two spots require a much different set of skills to be played successfully, which brings us to the next point.
Not many players can make aggressive plays and thrive in chaotic situations on one hand, while having the patience and focus to effectively anchor bombsites on the other, but rain is one of them. Usually, entry fraggers are rash and emotional players who can’t wait to get into the action, however, rain is more of the stone-cold killer type, never letting emotions get the better of him.
That’s one of the reasons rain always performs best on the stage and is widely considered a big game player, with the best example being his performance against NAVI in the PGL Antwerp Major 2022 Grand Final, where he laid down the law and dismantled the opposition.
As for rain’s adaptability, we saw it first hand when frozen came into the team at the end of 2023 and took most of his spots on the CT side. Despite having to play less comfortable spots, rain’s performances did not drop off and FaZe Clan quickly became the best team in CS2, reaching seven LAN Grand Finals in a row.
While that streak recently came to an end after their quarter-final defeat to Vitality at ESL Pro League Season 19, rain, together with FaZe, is bound to stand on the top step of the podium very soon.
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