Following Team Spirit’s unexpected elimination from BLAST Open Rotterdam 2026, the community has sparked a heated debate about what went wrong. One of the most notable takes came from analyst Sam Carder, who pointed directly to a structural issue rather than individual performance.
“Two elite players — but no playoffs”
Carder emphasized that Spirit have two genuinely elite players (clearly referring to donk and another key figure), yet still failed to reach the playoffs. According to him, the main issue lies in how tN1R is being utilized:
His roles are important ones, but he’s considerably under-resourced in them. Spirit’s issue is structural.
In the graphic shared by the analyst, tN1R is labeled as “underperforming,” while donk and sh1ro remain in the “elite” category.
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How “resources” are actually defined
Responding to questions, Carder clarified that “resources” go far beyond simple utility usage. His evaluation includes:
- differences in equipment value compared to teammates
- how often a player is traded or involved in trades
how much “setup” they receive
- the quality of positions they are given
The key point: it’s not just about stats — it’s about the conditions in which those stats are produced.
Role conflict: tN1R vs zont1x
Carder also highlighted a questionable balance between tN1R and zont1x. In his view, the current role distribution doesn’t make much sense:
It doesn’t make sense to me either. Why is zont1x getting more resources while tN1R anchors? I don’t want to see tN1R on an MP9 so that zont1x can get a rifle.
He added that tN1R is often placed in rotator positions where he is left exposed, further limiting his impact.
Community reaction: divided opinions
The discussion quickly split the community, with reactions ranging from analytical support to blunt criticism:
- zont1x getting the second star treatment since his return over tN1R has long since confused me.
— Robin (@TheRDouble) - In all honesty tN1R kinda sucked on rotator roles in previous Spirit iteration so that’s why he was replaced there tbh.
— Zhangwo Menghe (@bichigten1228) - This is something someone says who only looks at data. tN1R is ass all while baiting donk and tN1R can’t win clutches or trade to save his life.
— March (@ItsMarrchy)
Alongside these takes, many users also questioned how “resources” are measured in the first place, suggesting factors like blind kills, utility usage, and positioning should be considered — reinforcing the idea that raw data alone may not tell the full story.
Overall, the community remains divided:
- some agree that the issue is clearly structural
- others believe tN1R is simply underperforming individually
- some criticize the data-driven approach, arguing stats don’t reflect reality
Still, even critics acknowledge that Spirit’s role distribution raises valid concerns.
What’s next for Spirit
The current situation puts Team Spirit at a crossroads:
- adjust internal role distribution
- consider roster changes
- or adapt the system to better fit player strengths
For now, one thing is clear: even with top-tier talent, the team is struggling to convert potential into results — and more analysts are pointing to structural issues as the root cause.
