Cloud9 Wins First International Counter-Strike Title in 10 Years
Cloud9, with their victory at the ESL Pro League Season 4 Finals in São Paulo, became the first North American team to win an international Counter-Strike title in 10 years. Led by in-game-leader Jake “Stewie2K” Yip and recent addition Timothy “autimatic” Ta, Cloud9 showed dominance in their domestic competitions and proved themselves capable of competing with the world’s best teams. They achieved second place finishes at Northern Arena and DreamHack Bucharest, and a top four finish at StarLadder, defeating notable teams like Heroic and Team EnVyUs.
However, when facing tier one competition such as Virtus.pro, Ninjas in Pyjamas, and Immortals, Cloud9 struggled to maintain team cohesion and a strong map pool, hindering their ability to compete with the world’s best. After failing to progress past the group stage at ELEAGUE Season 2, doubts arose regarding the team’s potential for success. Much of Cloud9’s success seemed to rest on the shoulders of Stewie2K, with former stars Skadoodle and shroud unable to reach their previous levels of performance.
However, during their championship run in São Paulo, the addition of autimatic provided greater all-around aggression and MVP-level performances, consistently achieving high ratings throughout the tournament. In the constantly evolving post-SK Gaming era, autimatic’s transition to a more assertive play style revitalized the Cloud9 lineup, positioning them as contenders for future titles.
North America Embraces Dynamic Duos
Initially, the Cloud9 lineup relied heavily on Stewie2K’s aggressive playstyle, with little structure beyond him as the first entry fragger. The second player to enter and trade kills with Stewie2K varied between autimatic and shroud, with n0thing and Skadoodle playing supportive roles. The remaining player would lurk passively, hoping to catch opponents off-guard and cut off rotations.
Cloud9 adopted a system similar to Team Liquid, relying on an entry duo to take control of the map. In the ESL Pro League Finals, the shift of autimatic into a more aggressive entry role alongside Stewie2K showcased a dynamic and aim-heavy playstyle that overwhelmed even elite teams like SK Gaming. By moving autimatic to the front lines, shroud had more room to play a passive rifling style that suited his strengths.
Cloud9’s current system allows autimatic to have a greater impact on terrorist sides, highlighting his individual strengths. As Stewie2K continues to grow into his in-game leading role, Cloud9’s tactical systems will become more refined, cementing autimatic’s carry role in the team and strengthening their reliance on the duo’s firepower.
Making the Right Plays
While autimatic’s role as the second entry fragger on Cloud9’s terrorist side has contributed to the team’s success, his intelligence in playmaking on the counter-terrorist side has had the greatest impact. As described by Josh “Steel” Nissan in his demo reviews, autimatic plays with a refined aggression on the CT side. He holds efficient and safe angles when necessary, but is also willing to push for information when the team requires it. This willingness to push distinguishes Cloud9 from their passive core players, making the team more well-rounded and capable of making plays alongside Stewie2K.
However, mindlessly pushing without a stable CT setup is not enough to compete with top teams like SK Gaming. North American teams have historically struggled with consistency in their Counter-Strike gameplay. For a team to make a name for itself at the top, players must be willing to make bold and occasionally unorthodox plays. Autimatic’s more reserved version of aggression complements Cloud9’s passive playstyle and adds depth to their lineup.
Only the Bold
Autimatic’s success in São Paulo has solidified his position as one of North America’s best individual players. This mirrors a recent trend among North America’s most talented players, as they embrace greater aggression. Traditionally, North American players have been more passive and cautious, but this has limited their international success. In contrast, audacious players like Stewie2K, autimatic, and EliGE have shown that their playmaking styles can translate to the international stage. The coming weeks will reveal whether other top teams have the answers to autimatic and Stewie2K’s aggression, or if the race for the top team remains wide open.
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Photo credits to DreamHack and HLTV