StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 continues its opening day with the most dangerous matchup for a favorite. FaZe — a superstar roster and an organization that won a Major in 2022 and spent most of the CS2 era inside the top 5 — now face Lynn Vision, an Asian team entering the event in their best form of the year and riding a five-match win streak. In a Bo1, even a single mistimed grenade can flip the entire game, and this is exactly where shox, speaking exclusively to us, warns: this is one of the most realistic upset candidates of the first round.
Current Form & Context
FaZe — a star-studded roster still searching for balance
FaZe enter the Major in an unstable state. Yes, the squad still features karrigan, frozen, broky and Twistzz — names that have defined the top 20 of world Counter-Strike for the past five years. But the recent results tell a different story:
- loss to Virtus.pro (1–2),
- heavy defeat to MOUZ (0–2),
- shaky performance versus FUT,
- wins over TYLOO and B8, but without true dominance.
FaZe still have huge individual firepower:
Twistzz with a 1.25 rating over the last three months, frozen in stable shape, and broky feeling comfortable on Mirage and Ancient.
But FaZe’s main issue is the lack of stable tempo. Karrigan sometimes struggles to adjust structure to the ML12 format, often leading to weak T-side openings. Shox highlighted this directly:
Honestly, FaZe should win… but this match is harder than people think. We are not convinced by FaZe right now. Lynn Vision have shown some pretty interesting stuff.
Lynn Vision — the strongest Asian form in a year
Lynn Vision arrive at the Major with immense confidence:
- 3–2 victory over Rare Atom in a Bo5,
- wins against Chinggis Warriors, 9INE, Last Bullet,
- consistent progress in tempo and trading,
- a five-match winning streak.
The main star is Starry (1.08 rating), but their success is built around an aggressive, well-structured attacking system led by EmiliaQAQ and z4kr. The team also adds strong tactical diversity: fake splits, early mid pressure, and micro-adaptations after opening duels. Their playstyle can cause massive problems for FaZe, who often lose control in the early stages of rounds. Shox warns:
This maybe could be the biggest upset in the opening matches. Honestly… it feels like a 50/50. I still pick FaZe out of respect — but Lynn Vision can absolutely take it.
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Road to the Major
FaZe
- unstable form against top opponents,
- structural issues on T-side,
- strong individual peaks from Twistzz and frozen,
- psychological pressure — a team expected to win has no right to fail.
Lynn Vision
- best period of 2025,
- wins over regional favorites Rare Atom,
- disciplined trading and sharp rotations,
- huge motivation — a chance to score the biggest win in Chinese CS history.
Map Pool & Veto Analysis (Bo1, last 3 months)
- Dust2: FaZe 50% | LV 38%
- Mirage: FaZe 67% | LV —
- Inferno: FaZe 38% | LV 45%
- Nuke: FaZe 43% | LV 33%
- Train: FaZe — | LV 80%
- Overpass: FaZe 33% | LV 40%
- Ancient: FaZe 44% | LV 71%
Likely bans:
- FaZe remove Train — Lynn Vision have an 80% WR and look extremely comfortable there.
- Lynn Vision remove Mirage — FaZe are at their strongest on this map.
Most probable Bo1 map:
Ancient or Dust2
- Ancient — dangerous for FaZe, but LV have 71% WR.
- Dust2 — the most balanced option, where FaZe can impose structure through frozen and broky.
Key Duels
- Twistzz vs Starry
A duel of the two main stabilizers. If Starry wins the first three engagements, FaZe could be in huge trouble.
- broky vs EmiliaQAQ
The winner of the AWP battle dictates the CT-side tempo.
- karrigan vs early B-splits
If Lynn Vision continue their early-round fast hits and mid-round B splits, karrigan may struggle to adapt in time.
VRS Impact — rankings under pressure
FaZe (#16, 1565 pt)
- +23 pt if they win
- –20 pt if they lose
Lynn Vision (#24, 1414 pt)
- +47 pt if they win
- –9 pt if they lose
A Lynn Vision victory would be historic. For FaZe, this is a critical match that will define their Stage 1 path.
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Prediction
This is a match where FaZe’s individual firepower should decide the outcome. But Lynn Vision’s structure, pace, bold trading and current momentum make this one of the most dangerous Bo1s for any favorite. Shox summarizes the risk perfectly:
I pick FaZe out of respect. But on paper — Lynn Vision can absolutely take it. This can be the funniest upset of the Major.
FaZe should win by virtue of class — but it will be far closer than expected.
Expected Score: FaZe 13–10 Lynn Vision. FaZe survive — but with real struggle.
