For the better part of last year, 3DMAX has been a team on the rise. From being contenders for early exits at big events to reaching the Legends Stage in Shanghai, 2024 was a breakout year for the French organization. In 2025, the team made changes to both its roster and coaching staff in an effort to reach the next level.
From Early Exits to Playoff Consistency
From January to June, 3DMAX managed to reach the playoffs only once, and each time it felt like the team was missing something in the matches that mattered most. At Katowice, they cruised through the Play-In, but losses to Vitality and Eternal Fire in the main event sent them out in 9th–12th place. The same story repeated itself at Cluj-Napoca and ESL Pro League Season 21 — strong starts followed by collapses against elite opposition.
The rest of the season followed a similar pattern. After yet another early exit at the BLAST.tv Austin Major, changes became inevitable. wasiNk stepped down from his coaching role, with his assistant YouKnow taking over. Only a few weeks later, the team decided to hand in-game leading duties to Graviti, allowing Maka to fully focus on the AWP.
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The Turning Point
The change made immediate sense. Graviti had been struggling individually for some time, and returning to the leadership role that defined his earlier teams felt natural. It also allowed Maka to become more consistent — especially as the sniper role has grown more demanding in CS2. The Esports World Cup was a promising start. A win against NAVI showed clear progress, and even though they fell to eventual champions The MongolZ, the match was closely contested. Soon after, the team claimed a convincing victory at the Perfect World CS Challenge Series 1, a B-tier tournament with solid competition.
At ESL Pro League Season 22, 3DMAX had an almost flawless group stage. They went on to upset FaZe, NAVI, and G2 to qualify for the playoffs, where a close match against Falcons confirmed that the team was moving in the right direction.
The New French Renaissance
A second-place finish at the CS Asia Championships 2025 might be the last stepping stone they needed. With victories over Virtus.pro, Fnatic, and Liquid, 3DMAX now seems ready for a deep run at a major event.
Graviti’s Renaissance in Leadership
The start of the year was challenging for the new addition. After a few promising events, Graviti struggled both individually and with consistency. While he could post events with a 1.15 rating or higher, he often followed them with performances between 0.80 and 0.90, and the team frequently failed to make it past the group stages.
Things changed after he reclaimed the in-game leading role. His level rose noticeably — three of his last five events were rated above 1.10, including a 1.17 performance during their victorious campaign at the Perfect World CS Challenge Series 1. Although still somewhat inconsistent, these results helped lift 3DMAX to a new level, as they climbed the VRS rankings and began to establish themselves among the world’s top ten.
From Promise to Legacy
From a team once destined for early exits to a legitimate contender on the international stage, 3DMAX’s transformation stands as a testament to resilience and smart adaptation. The coaching change, Graviti’s return to leadership, and Maka’s renewed AWP focus have turned uncertainty into confidence and inconsistency into steady progress.
Now standing among the world’s elite, 3DMAX embodies the revival of French Counter-Strike — a mix of experience, tactical depth, and hunger to prove themselves against the best. With their recent performances pointing to a bright future, Masters Bucharest could very well mark the moment when 3DMAX transitions from promise to legacy.
