StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 Stage 1 begins with a match between Imperial and Rare Atom — two teams starting the Swiss stage with a 0:0 record. This is the first match of the tournament for both sides and an important starting point, as the winner immediately moves to a comfortable 1:0 position, while the loser falls into the less favorable 0:1 bracket. Both teams approach the Major with unstable but potentially dangerous form, making this clash one of the most intriguing in the opening round.
STARLADDER BUDAPEST MAJOR 2025 STAGE 1 — THE FIGHT FOR A SPOT IN THE MAIN STAGE OF THE MAJOR
The tournament takes place from November 24 to 27 in Budapest, Hungary, and will determine the two teams that secure slots in Stage 2. A total of 16 teams participate in Stage 1, including FaZe, B8, M80, fnatic, Legacy, Rare Atom, Imperial, GamerLegion, NRG, and other representatives from Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
The format is Swiss Bo1, while elimination and advancement matches are played as Bo3. This creates highly unpredictable conditions, where a single mistake or lost pistol round can determine the entire path toward the main stage of the Major.
The match between Imperial and Rare Atom is one of the key opening games, as their contrasting styles promise a bright and unpredictable duel.
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HEAD-TO-HEAD — FIRST OFFICIAL MEETING
Imperial and Rare Atom have never played each other before — this is their first official encounter. The lack of history makes the match even more unpredictable: the teams have no clear references for the opponent’s style, allowing for a wider range of risky strategies.
At the start of the tournament, Imperial hold the #46 position in the world ranking, while Rare Atom sit at #48 — almost complete parity on a global scale.
CURRENT FORM
- Imperial — EXPERIENCE THAT STILL WORKS
Imperial (#46 HLTV, #34 VRS) enter the tournament with unstable results, having only 2 wins in their last 6 matches. The team lost to Galorys and Sharks, but convincingly defeated Yawara and ALZON. Their overall win rate over the past three months is 54%, and breakthrough games depend largely on the individual form of try and skullz.
Try is the star of the team: a 1.26 rating, 80+ ADR, a high share of multikills, and a consistent KAST around 76%. The team relies on slow, methodical attacks focusing on micro-moments from try and VINI, but has a tendency to lose rhythm after unsuccessful opening rounds. Shox explained why he leans toward the Brazilian roster:
Not because Imperial is way above Rare Atom but just because it is.
- Rare Atom — ASIAN AGGRESSION AND INSTABILITY
Rare Atom (#48 HLTV, #52 VRS) come in with better tournament momentum, winning 4 of their last 6 matches. The team defeated Lynn Vision, Kaleido, and The Huns, but lost in series against top Asian lineups.
Their strongest player is ChildKing, with a 1.14 rating, 81 ADR, and high impact in clutch situations. Tiger and Summer complement the team’s style through intense entries and tempo control.
Rare Atom play much more aggressively than Imperial, often forcing fast rounds and relying on unconventional decisions during the mid-round — which can be very effective in Bo1, where unpredictability is a key weapon. Shox also evaluated the Asian team’s form:
Yeah, I mean you know it’s an Asian team, and having checked their results recently, they’re not in a specifically good form.
MAP POOL & VETO
Statistics from the last 3 months (Imperial | Rare Atom):
- Dust2: 50% | 63%
- Mirage: 64% | 69%
- Inferno: 67% | 67%
- Nuke: 55% | —
- Train: 57% | 25%
- Overpass: 75% | —
- Ancient: — | 44%
Expected veto:
- Imperial remove Ancient, as they never play this map at all, while Rare Atom have enough experience on it.
- Rare Atom ban Overpass, where Imperial have a dominant 75% win rate and a comfortable game structure.
Likely picks:
- Imperial: Mirage — a stable map with a 64% win rate and strong impact from try in duels.
- Rare Atom: Inferno — their most balanced map, with a 67% win rate and a well-structured defense.
Decider: Dust2 — both teams have 50–63% win rates, and sniper performance may decide the outcome.
KEY DUELS
- try vs ChildKing — the main highlight of the match. Try is stronger mechanically, but ChildKing is more stable in mid-rounds.
- skullz vs Summer — control of mid and entry duels that will define the tempo of most rounds.
- VINI vs Tiger — experience versus unconventional aggression.
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PREDICTION
The match between Imperial and Rare Atom looks more even than initial impressions might suggest. Imperial have greater LAN experience and more structured discipline, but Rare Atom come in with better momentum and more individual initiative in key matchups. Shox added an important note regarding the format:
Well, I will pick Imperial. Since it’s a best of one, anything can happen, but Imperial should definitely take the edge in it.
In a Bo1, the decisive factor will be the stability of key players in the opening rounds. Imperial have more tools to control tempo and play from positions, as well as an advantage on structured maps like Mirage or Overpass. If try and skullz enter the game strongly from the beginning, the Brazilians can dictate the pace and prevent Rare Atom from executing their characteristic aggression.
Predicted score: Rare Atom 0–1 Imperial.
