Cloud9 has long been a household name in the esports world, particularly in Counter-Strike. With a history spanning multiple years, numerous roster changes, and an unwavering dedication to the game, Cloud9’s Counter-Strike team has experienced both the highs of championship victories and the lows of rebuilding phases. Now competing in Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), the organization continues its effort to cement its legacy in professional Counter-Strike. This article delves into the history, achievements, and key matches of the Cloud9 CS2 team, shining a spotlight on its journey through the competitive landscape.
Cloud9 – A Historical Overview
Founding and Early Days
Cloud9 was founded in 2013 as a multi-game esports organization and quickly rose to prominence in several esports titles, including League of Legends, Hearthstone, and later Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO). The organization made its initial foray into CS:GO in 2014, acquiring a roster made up of talented North American players. The team’s early years were marked by promise but also by struggles to reach consistent success on the international stage.
Transition to International Rosters
Cloud9’s first major splash came with its all-North American lineup, which achieved notable results in tournaments like the ESL ESEA Pro League. Despite these successes, roster instability plagued its early trajectory. Over the years, the organization shifted toward incorporating international players in an effort to compete at the highest levels. This shift marked the beginning of an era defined by experimentation and rebuilding efforts.
Cloud9’s Roster Changes – A Dynamic Evolution
Frequent Restructuring in 2019
The 2019 season was a turbulent year for Cloud9. Key players like Flusha left the roster early in the year, while others, including Golden, departed shortly afterwards. This spurred a major roster overhaul mid-season, with daps, koosta, TenZ, Mixwell, and JamezIRL joining the team. Unfortunately, the new roster failed to produce the desired results, leading to further changes in October.
2020 – A Year of Overhauls and Experimentation
In 2020, Cloud9 introduced a new lineup featuring players such as JT, motm, oSee, floppy, and sonic. Despite high hopes, the team struggled to gain traction. Later that year, HenryG was brought onboard as the primary coach and tasked with rebuilding the roster almost from scratch. Under HenryG’s leadership, Cloud9 brought in several promising players, including Alex, floppy, mezii, es3tag, and Xeppa. This roster achieved limited success, making deep runs in smaller tournaments but failing to contend with the elite teams in CS:GO.
Historic Major win on home soil
Cloud9’s most iconic moment came in 2018 when they won the ELEAGUE Boston Major, becoming the first and only North American team to win a Major Championship in Counter-Strike history. The tournament saw Cloud9 make an incredible lower-bracket run, culminating in a thrilling 2-1 victory over FaZe Clan in the grand final. The final map, played on Inferno, ended in a dramatic overtime, solidifying Cloud9’s place in CS history.
Biggest tournament results – Cloud9
- 🏆 ELEAGUE Major Boston 2018 ($500,000)
- 🏆 ESL Pro League Season 4 – Finals ($200,000)
- 🏆 BetBoom Playlist. Urbanistic ($165,000)
- 🏆 Brazy Party ($133,000)
- 🏆 Intel Extreme Masters XVII – Dallas ($100,000)
- 🥈 ESL Pro League Season 17 ($90,000)
- 🥉 ELEAGUE Premier 2017 ($70,000)
- 🥉 Esports Championship Series Season 3 – Finals ($65,000)
Performance in notable tournaments
Despite roster issues and periods of rebuilding, Cloud9 has taken part in some of the most prestigious tournaments in Counter-Strike history, including:
- ELEAGUE Boston Major 2018: 1st place, securing North America’s first Major victory.
- Intel Extreme Masters XIII – Katowice Major 2019: Finished in 9th-11th place, falling short of expectations but showcasing glimpses of potential.
- DreamHack Masters Dallas 2019: Achieved a 13th-16th place finish amidst strong global competition.
- ESL Pro League Season 9 Finals: Secured 9th-12th place as the team sought consistency in its lineup.
- ESL Pro League Season 10 – Americas: Finished 13th-16th, highlighting the challenges of establishing chemistry within a revamped roster.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cloud9’s CS2 Team
How did Cloud9 first enter Counter-Strike?
Cloud9 entered Counter-Strike in 2014 by acquiring an all-North American roster, marking its foray into professional CS:GO.
Who are some of the notable players that have played for Cloud9?
Players such as Stewie2K, Skadoodle, tarik, Flusha, Alex, floppy, TenZ, and Mixwell have all been part of Cloud9’s CS:GO lineup at different points in its history.
What is Cloud9’s biggest achievement in Counter-Strike tournaments?
Cloud9’s biggest achievement is winning the ELEAGUE Boston Major in 2018, becoming the first and only North American team to claim a Major title.
Who is the coach of Cloud9’s CS2 team?
As of now, Konstantin “groove” Pikiner is an important figure within the team, contributing to its strategic structure and growth.
Has Cloud9 ever won a Major Championship?
Yes, Cloud9 won the ELEAGUE Boston Major in 2018, securing the first Major victory for a North American team in CS history.
What notable tournaments has Cloud9 participated in?
Cloud9 has competed in ESL Pro League Seasons, IEM Katowice, BLAST Premier events, DreamHack Masters, and the ELEAGUE Boston Major, among others.
Why does Cloud9 frequently change its roster?
The frequent roster changes are part of the organization’s attempts to find the right mix of talent and synergy to compete at the highest level.
What makes Cloud9 unique in North American Counter-Strike?
Cloud9’s commitment to fielding competitive Counter-Strike teams, even during difficult periods, distinguishes it as a mainstay in North American esports.
What was HenryG’s impact on the team?
HenryG focused on reshaping Cloud9’s roster, bringing in experienced players and promising talent to create a tactically strong team.
What is Cloud9’s future in Counter-Strike 2?
As the team transitions to CS2, Cloud9 aims to refine its roster and compete more consistently against top-tier international teams.
