Rodion “fear” Smyk is entering a new stage in his career — from being a young talent of the Ukrainian scene, he is transforming into a stable leader shaping Fnatic’s play in CS2. After months of work on team chemistry and constant tournaments, fear shared his thoughts on progress, communication, preparation for the Major, and his personal vision for the team’s future.
From the second tier to the global stage
In response to a question about the difference between competitive levels, fear candidly admitted that the journey from tier 2 to tier 1 is less a battle against opponents and more a battle against the system.
This is already the second roster with which I’ve gone through something like this. In my opinion, the difference between tier 1 and tier 2 isn’t that big. In CS2, it’s easier for less experienced teams to make upsets, and there are now plenty of tools to keep improving.
He emphasized that the new version of the game gives even young teams a chance to rise — all it takes is discipline and proper preparation. For fear, this process is familiar: from NAVI Junior to Passion UA, and now Fnatic, he has repeatedly built a team from scratch, adapting to the realities of the professional scene.
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Language, communication, and training
One of the main topics of the AMA was the team’s internal dynamics. Fnatic, which currently features three Ukrainian players, continues to work on in-game communication and synergy.
We’re improving our communication literally every hour. English is the main language in the team, and we rarely switch to our native one — only to clarify things during a round.
Our coaching staff helps us a lot with individual aspects; we work extensively on personal skills.
These words show that Fnatic are not just searching for form but are gradually shaping a unified rhythm of play — something crucial for a team composed of players from different Counter-Strike schools.
Preparing for StarLadder Budapest Major 2025
Ahead of them lies the main tournament of the year. And while fan expectations are high, fear remains calm and realistic.
The team is ready to fight. Some of us got sick after China, so we’re not feeling perfect. We don’t have high expectations — the main thing now is to improve our play. If we make it through the group stage, we’ll have more time to practice together, and that’s what matters most to me right now.
We always focus only on the next match. The first goal is to reach the second stage — then we’ll see.
He speaks about the tournament not as a chance to “make a sensation,” but as a step in the team’s growth. The team isn’t chasing headlines; instead, they are building stability and trust — qualities that in CS2 often matter more than short-term results.
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Roles, changes, and the search for balance
After the recent addition of Jack, the team had to restructure its playstyle. Smyk explained how Fnatic redistributed responsibilities to maintain balance and momentum.
On the T side, we divided Cypher’s aggressive roles among everyone. We want to attack as one unit. On the CT side, everyone (except me) got the positions that are most comfortable for them. Right now, I don’t see any problems with our T sides.
This adaptation shows that fear is not just a fragger but someone who understands the value of team harmony. He thinks in terms of the whole — how structure should look, who feels comfortable where, and how it all affects the overall result.
The new Fnatic: stability over chaos
Together with coach Samuelsson, the team is building not a short-term project, but a long-term system. Fnatic are not looking for quick fixes; they are progressing steadily, creating an environment where everyone understands their role.
Samuelsson noted that the organization remains open to new specialists but only if they bring real value. This approach fully aligns with fear’s philosophy — stability over impulsiveness.
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Looking ahead
For Rodion Smyk, this season is more than just a new chapter — it’s a test of his philosophy of play. He doesn’t promise revolutions or talk about trophies, yet every one of his answers reflects confidence and purpose.
Fnatic are still searching for their full potential, but they already have the most important thing — a captain who sees the path and doesn’t shy away from challenges. And if this team truly finds stability, fear could become the player who turns Fnatic into the new-generation powerhouse of CS2.
