With Stage 2 of the StarLadder Budapest Major now concluded, it’s time to lock in our Pick’em choices for Stage 3. This is the phase where the true heavyweights join the race, as eight top-seeded teams enter the fray to face the eight survivors from the earlier stages. The first two stages have already delivered mayhem in best-of-ones that shattered many Pick’em predictions (including ours), making the flawless 3-0 and winless 0-3 picks especially tricky. Nevertheless, we give it another go as Stage 3 (the Legends Stage) gets underway.
Your mission is simple:
- Two teams to go 3-0
- Six teams to advance (3-1 or 3-2)
- Two teams to go 0-3
Correctly predicting at least five of these is key for upgrading your coin, and the first-round matchups matter more than ever. With elite teams like FURIA, Vitality, Falcons and MOUZ facing tough openers, the safe approach is balancing favorites with stable bracket paths.
Round 1 matchups:
MOUZ – PARIVISION
Imperial – The MongolZ
Spirit – Liquid
Passion UA – G2
Vitality – FaZe
paiN – 3DMAX
FURIA – Natus Vincere
B8 – Falcons
Our suggested picks
3-0: Team Falcons, Team Spirit
To advance: G2 Esports, MOUZ, Vitality, Natus Vincere, FURIA, FaZe
0-3: Passion UA, Imperial Esports
Find the breakdown for each pick below.
3-0 picks (undefeated teams)
Team Falcons
Falcons enter Stage 3 as one of the tournament’s biggest title contenders. Their superstar core gives them some of the highest firepower in the event, and their consistency across recent big tournaments proves they can dominate in short Swiss stages. Their opening match against B8 is favorable, and if Falcons start strong, they are one of the safest bets to run through Stage 3 without a loss.
Team Spirit
Spirit are one of the most dangerous teams in the world when their stars come alive. Donk remains one of the most explosive riflers in Counter-Strike, while sh1ro brings poise and clutch ability in high-pressure moments. Their consistency sometimes dips, but few teams can match their ceiling. If Spirit find their rhythm early, they can absolutely bulldoze a 3-0 run, especially in a Swiss field that heavily rewards raw firepower.
Teams to advance (3-1 or 3-2)
G2 Esports
G2 have enough talent and structure to comfortably reach playoffs even if they drop a map early. Their first match against Passion UA puts them on a strong initial trajectory, and their balanced mix of veteran experience and young firepower should help them stabilize in best-of-threes. Expect some bumps, but G2 should hit the three-win mark.
MOUZ
MOUZ continue to prove that their roster overhaul has pushed them into contender territory. Their blend of youth, star rifling, and strong map pool makes them reliable performers in any Swiss stage. With a forgiving opener against PARIVISION, they are very well positioned to reach 3-1 or 3-2 without much drama.
Vitality
The defending Major winners remain one of the most complete teams in Counter-Strike. Their first-round matchup versus FaZe is brutal, which makes them too risky as a 3-0 pick, but across a full Swiss stage their experience, structure and superstar core make them an extremely safe playoff prediction. Even if they stumble early, Vitality almost never collapse in elimination matches.
Natus Vincere
NAVI looked sharp in Stage 2 and are beginning to hit a consistent form with their revamped lineup. Their opener against FURIA is tough, but even a loss shouldn’t derail them. This is a team built to handle pressure, and they tend to grow stronger as a tournament progresses. Expect them to qualify, possibly through a tight 3-2 route.
FURIA
One of the favorites to win the entire event, FURIA have been in exceptional form heading into the Major. Their dynamic riflers and accelerated pace make them nightmare opponents in every matchup. The only reason they aren’t a 3-0 pick is the opening best-of-one against NAVI. Over a full stage, however, FURIA almost certainly secure a top-eight spot.
FaZe Clan
FaZe come into Stage 3 from a perfect 3-0 in Stage 2 and continue to play a structured, veteran style that thrives in Swiss formats. Their opener against Vitality is difficult, but FaZe have the experience and composure to bounce back quickly. Their core remains calm under pressure, and they tend to win the matches they are supposed to win. A 3-1 or 3-2 qualification is very realistic.
0-3 picks (winless teams)
Passion UA
Passion UA fought admirably through Stage 2, but the quality jump in Stage 3 is too steep. Their wins came against teams that did not survive the earlier stages, and they struggled heavily whenever they faced higher-tier opposition. With G2 as their opening opponent and no easy matchups ahead, Passion UA are the clearest 0-3 pick in this pool.
Imperial Esports
Imperial reached Stage 3 by beating struggling teams earlier in the event, but their ceiling appears far too low for this level of competition. When tested against top-tier lineups, they have struggled to keep maps competitive. Their first match against TheMongolZ is already difficult, and their lack of depth makes them unlikely to find a win in any subsequent rounds. A quick 0-3 exit feels very plausible.
