When Jonathan “EliGe” Jablonowski joined FaZe at the start of 2025, expectations were sky-high. The American rifler came in as the direct replacement for Robin “ropz” Kool, one of the most consistent stars in CS2. For EliGe, it was a chance to revive his elite-tier career after leaving Complexity.
On paper, the fit looked promising. EliGe remained one of the most mechanically gifted riflers in the game, posting a 1.11 average rating during his FaZe stint. His firepower was elite, his trading sharp, and his opening duels reliable. Yet, despite his individual output, the team’s overall trajectory told a very different story.
The Role Problem
The crux of the issue lay in roles. EliGe, at his peak in Liquid, was a pure entry fragger — an aggressive playmaker who thrived on space and initiative. FaZe, however, needed him to fill the shoes of ropz: a patient lurker, a disciplined anchor, and a reliable clutch presence.
Instead of freedom, EliGe was tasked with structured, often passive duties. These mismatched roles limited his impact, creating a clash between his natural style and FaZe’s tactical needs.
And this is where the narrative gets twisted: the problem was never EliGe himself, but FaZe’s structure. They brought him in for the wrong role, yet he still delivered the numbers expected of a star rifler. He provided rating, impact, and kills — but the team chose to bench him, masking deeper issues within their system.
Tournament Results with EliGe (2025)
FaZe’s results during EliGe’s time reflect this disconnect:
- 3rd place — PGL Bucharest 2025 ($75,000)
- 4th place — PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 ($87,500)
- Quarterfinals — BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025 ($45,000)
- 7–8th — IEM Cologne 2025, IEM Melbourne 2025, IEM Katowice 2025
- Early exits — IEM Dallas 2025, BLAST Rivals Spring 2025, BLAST Open Lisbon 2025, BLAST Bounty
For a team of FaZe’s caliber, only two notable deep runs across the year weren’t enough. The lack of consistency and multiple group-stage exits painted the picture of a squad stuck in the “almost there” tier.
Early Warning Signs
By March, EliGe himself admitted:
We expected to be further along than we are. – via HLTV
That statement was a hint at growing frustration. Soon after, FaZe benched broky, experimented with s1mple as a temporary AWPer, and only later brought the Latvian sniper back.
By the summer, things had deteriorated further. Observers at Esports World Cup 2025 noted EliGe’s visible disconnect — walking alone, looking downcast, and rarely interacting with teammates outside of mandatory media activities.
Why the Change Was Inevitable
Even with EliGe’s firepower, FaZe couldn’t replicate the chemistry that made them great. The issue wasn’t mechanical skill but stylistic fit. FaZe needed a glue rifler: someone disciplined, consistent, and comfortable in lurk/anchor roles. EliGe, by contrast, is wired as a high-impact entry.
The result was inevitable: strong individual numbers, but poor team synergy. FaZe’s decision to bench him after EWC was less about performance and more about philosophy.
Conclusion
EliGe’s time in FaZe is a textbook example of why Counter-Strike success isn’t just about statistics. He proved that he can still deliver at the top level — peaking with a 1.50 rating at EWC 2025 — but the misalignment of roles made his stay unsustainable.
For FaZe, this move signals a reset as they search for a more role-appropriate rifler. For EliGe, it’s another crossroads. In the right system — one that unleashes his aggressive instincts rather than confines them — he could yet rediscover the form that once made him the pride of North America.
