The BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 kicks off with 16 teams in Stage 1 (Challengers Stage). In the Pick’ems, you need to choose: two teams to go 3-0, six teams to advance with a 3-1 or 3-2 record, and two teams to go 0-3. Below we break down each category with our top picks and reasoning, so you can secure those 5 correct predictions and level up your Major coin.

3-0 Contenders

Picking 3-0 teams is tricky – you want dominant teams that can win three straight best-of-ones (and a best-of-three in the 3-0 match) without slipping. Here are the leading candidates to blaze through Stage 1 undefeated:

• HEROIC (#14 world) – The tournament’s highest-ranked Stage 1 team. Despite recent roster turmoil, Heroic still field a formidable lineup. They added elite AWPer SunPayus and have a wealth of big-stage experience. Heroic’s firepower and pedigree should overpower most opponents in this Swiss group. Their opening match versus Chinggis Warriors is a mismatch in Heroic’s favor, setting the tone for a potential 3-0 run. Expect Heroic’s superior teamwork and preparation to carry them through every matchup.
• BetBoom Team (#38 world) – A dangerous dark horse packed with star talent. BetBoom’s lineup is far stronger than their ranking suggests. They boast Ax1Le (one of the world’s top riflers from his Cloud9 days) and Boombl4 (Major-winning ex-Na`Vi captain) alongside zorte and S1ren. This mix of firepower and leadership already impressed in the European qualifiers, taking down notable teams en route to Austin. BetBoom’s first game is against Nemiga, which they are heavily favored to win. If their momentum continues, they have the skill ceiling to win three straight. This is a slightly riskier 3-0 pick, but the upside is huge – few Stage 1 squads can match BetBoom’s raw talent.

Other 3-0 possibilities: If you’re inclined to gamble or avoid the obvious picks, consider B8 Esports or FlyQuest as outside shots for 3-0. B8 (#20) upset multiple teams (even eliminating Astralis in qualifiers) and now feature headtr1ck and npl, two young players with Tier-1 experience, which could propel them to an unexpected undefeated run. Meanwhile, FlyQuest (#24) is essentially the ex-Grayhound core from Oceania – INS, Liazz, Vexite – bolstered by European AWPer regali. They’re a consistent squad used to best-of-one upsets. Either of these teams might catch fire and go 3-0, but they’re more suited as solid advance picks (3-1/3-2) rather than your primary 3-0 choices.

Strategy note: Remember, you get no points for a team picked to go 3-0 if they finish 3-1 or 3-2. It can be wise to put your truly safest teams in the 3-1/3-2 pool instead, and use one 3-0 slot on a “flyer” (a high-risk, high-reward pick). In this Stage 1, however, we have two 3-0 slots – so locking in Heroic (the safest bet) and a second strong team like BetBoom gives you a great chance to hit at least one correct 3-0.

Safe Picks to Advance (3-1 or 3-2)

These six teams are our best bets to finish with a winning record (3-1 or 3-2) and advance to Stage 2. We’ve weighed team rankings, roster quality, and recent form to maximize your chances. Aim to choose six teams that you feel very confident will get through, even if they might drop a match or two along the way:

• Complexity (#16 world) – Experienced North American roster with a track record against top teams. Complexity should be a staple in your advance picks. They are playing on home soil and have proven players like Grim (an explosive rifler) and hallzerk (impact AWPer). There have been roster changes – star rifler EliGE and entry fragger floppy departed, with Cxzi and nicx stepping in – which introduces some uncertainty. However, Complexity’s leadership under JT and coach ⁠adreN⁠, plus their solid showing in NA qualifiers, suggest they have enough firepower to go 3-1 or 3-2. They open against OG in a winnable match. Barring a total collapse, Complexity’s experience against elite competition should carry them through the Swiss stage even if they aren’t a 3-0 team this time.
• FlyQuest (#24 world) – The Oceanic/Asian qualifier champions, known for consistency on the Major stage. This team features battle-tested Major veterans. The Aussie trio of INS, Liazz, and Vexite have played together internationally and won clutch games at past Majors (under the Grayhound banner). The addition of regali provides improved AWP presence, and the team’s coach Erkast has Major experience as well. FlyQuest face Fluxo first, a matchup they’re favored to win. With their cohesive teamwork and calm under pressure, expect them to reach the 3-win mark. They might not dominate every match, but they rarely falter against underdogs, making them a safe pick to advance.

• B8 Esports (#20 world) – An in-form underdog from Europe with newly acquired star power. B8 shocked everyone by qualifying over bigger names in the EU qualifier – notably taking down Astralis – which speaks to their current form. Their roster is now bolstered by headtr1ck (a sharp AWPer who led NiP in rating last year) and npl (formerly of Na’Vi). These additions give B8 a nice balance of firepower and clutch potential. The remaining trio (kensizor, esenthial, alex666) have good synergy from playing together as a unit. In Austin, B8’s opening duel is against Imperial, a matchup they’re expected to win. From there, even if they drop a game to a top team, they have the depth to finish 3-1 or 3-2. B8 is a perfect “sleeper” pick – a team on the rise with upset potential, but also a high floor to grind out three wins.
• Tyloo (#19 world) – The best from China, featuring aggressive aimers and revamped leadership. Tyloo has a long history at Majors and they return with a revamped lineup in CS2. This iteration has scooped up Chinese stars JamYoung and Moseyuh (formerly of Rare Atom) to join veterans Attacker and Mercury. The skill level is high – JamYoung in particular is a playmaker who can take over maps. Tyloo dominated their regional qualifier and typically outclasses lesser teams from other regions. They face NRG in the first round; that could be a close game, but even in a loss Tyloo should feast on the lower bracket teams. Communication and consistency have plagued Asian teams in past Majors, so 3-0 might be a stretch, but a solid 3-2 advancement is very attainable. Tyloo’s firepower and unpredictable style make them a good bet to get three wins in Stage 1.
• NRG Esports (#29 world) – A newly formed North American squad with veteran leadership. NRG might be relatively new, but the names are familiar: nitr0 (ex-Liquid IGL and Major finalist) leads the team, with oSee (ex-Liquid AWPer) providing firepower. Alongside them, young riflers Jeorge and HexT gained experience in EG’s system, and Danish import br0 rounds out the lineup. This team had to fight through the NA qualifier the hard way (they stumbled against Wildcard initially, then recovered in a decider bracket), which shows resilience. NRG also recently dominated an NA Revival tournament, indicating they’re gelling at the right time. In Swiss play, their blend of veteran savvy and structure should give them an edge over most underdog teams. Their first match vs Tyloo is a test; even if they lose that, nitr0 and daps (coach) are adept at rebounding in best-of-threes. Count on NRG to clinch advancement with a 3-2 record, making them a smart inclusion in your six picks.

• Metizport (#60 world) – Sleeper team with big-name experience hiding behind a small org. Don’t be fooled by the low ranking – Metizport’s roster is stacked with former Tier-1 pros from Sweden. Hampus and Plopski (ex-NiP duo) bring Major-stage experience in isak, who was part of GamerLegion’s Cinderella Major final run in 2023, and youngsters L00m1 and adamb round out the squad. This international mix qualified through Europe by outperforming expectations, showing that their experience translates in-game. They’re matched with Wildcard in Round 1, a game they can win. Metizport’s players have faced tougher opposition in their careers than most Stage 1 teams, so they won’t be rattled in elimination matches. Chemistry is the only question mark (they are a newer lineup), but their individual caliber should carry them to at least three wins. If you need a sixth advancing team, Metizport is a savvy high-upside pick that many casual Pick’emers might overlook.

Teams to treat with caution: A few notable teams are on the bubble and could go either way. OG (#40), for instance, has name recognition but their current roster is lackluster – aside from AWPer nicoodoz, they lack star power and have been inconsistent, so we didn’t include them in the “safe” list. The Brazilian squads Imperial and Fluxo also sit in a grey area: they have seasoned players (Imperial’s VINI and try; Fluxo’s arT and zevy) and could make a run if momentum swings their way. However, relying on them is risky – they’ve shown shaky results internationally and one of them might fall short at 2-3. Lynn Vision (#25), the second Chinese representative, is another borderline team; they have upset potential (with sniper Starry capable of huge plays) but tend to crumble in best-of-threes against international opponents. Feel free to swap one of our suggested six with a different favorite of yours, but be mindful of the risk. The six teams listed above strike a balance between skill, experience, and stability – exactly what you want for those precious advancing Pick’em slots.

0-3 “Danger Zone” Candidates

Now for the unfortunate picks: two teams you predict to lose all three of their games. You want to select squads that look clearly outmatched and unlikely to scrape together a single win. The bottom of this Stage 1 field is comprised of teams with either underwhelming firepower, shaky recent form, or dire matchup draws. Here are the prime 0-3 candidates:

• Legacy (#46 seed) – The last-minute replacement team from South America. Legacy wasn’t even supposed to be here – they were invited just weeks ago when BESTIA (the Argentine qualifier) couldn’t attend due to visa issues. The Legacy lineup (featuring Brazilian players dumau and latto among others) has some individual talent, but their preparation and cohesion are in doubt. They haven’t had much time to practice as a full squad before the Major. In terms of firepower, Legacy is one of the weakest in Stage 1, and they’re going up against well-drilled teams from the start. Their first match is against Lynn Vision, a tough opponent for a debut. If (or when) Legacy falls behind in the Swiss, they’ll likely meet other hungry teams in elimination matches. It’s hard to see them winning a best-of-three given their situation. The community consensus pegs Legacy as a strong 0-3 pick – a team simply happy to be here but probably headed home 0-3.
• Nemiga (#44 world) – A CIS roster that may be in over their heads. Nemiga have been a middling Tier-2 team and enter Stage 1 with minimal momentum. Their lineup lacks a clear star carry – most of their players are relatively unknown outside regional leagues. Unlike some underdogs here, Nemiga didn’t make any blockbuster roster additions and their Major experience is scant. They’re facing BetBoom in the opener, which could be a very one-sided affair (Nemiga’s fraggers are outclassed by Ax1Le and co.). After that, Nemiga would need to win two elimination matches in a row to avoid 0-3 – a tall order considering their likely opponents. The tactical depth and firepower we’ve seen from Nemiga so far just isn’t convincing. Unless one of their players has the performance of a lifetime, it’s hard to imagine Nemiga taking a map off any of the solid teams in this stage. They are a safe choice for one of the 0-3 slots.

Other teams in danger: The Chinggis Warriors (#39), a Mongolian squad, are another team that could easily go winless. They lack international LAN experience and drew Heroic in round one, so they’ll be playing catch-up from the start. Even if their aim is sharp, Chinggis might struggle with the pressure and strategic play at this level – keep an eye on them as a potential 0-3. It’s also worth noting that some lower-ranked teams will end up facing each other in the 0-2 elimination round – meaning one will get a win by default. For example, if Legacy and Nemiga both start 0-2, they could meet and one would hand the other a win, ruining a 0-3 pick. To hedge against that, avoid picking two teams that might intersect early. Our suggestions (Legacy and Nemiga) come from different regions and seeding brackets, reducing the odds they face one another directly. Lastly, Wildcard Gaming (#43) is a fringe 0-3 candidate if things go south – while they have veterans like stanislaw and Sonic, they could potentially bomb out if they can’t keep up with faster, younger teams. Overall, stick with the two weakest-looking squads for your 0-3 picks – in this case, Legacy and Nemiga offer the most reassurance on paper.

Finalizing Your Picks: After careful analysis, our recommendations for Stage 1 Pick’ems are:

• 3-0 picks: Heroic, BetBoom
• Advancing (3-1 or 3-2) picks: Complexity, FlyQuest, B8, Tyloo, NRG, Metizport
• 0-3 picks: Legacy, Nemiga

These choices prioritize proven quality and minimize risk, giving you a strong shot at hitting the 5 correct picks needed for your coin upgrade. Of course, anything can happen in CS2, and one upset can shake up the Swiss standings. Use our analysis as a guide, but trust your intuition as well. Good luck with your Pick’ems, and enjoy the action in Austin – here’s to starting the Major with a perfect Stage 1!