The storm of VRS points may have passed, but the Counter-Strike calendar isn\u2019t slowing down. As the dust settles after weeks of qualification chaos, two major battlegrounds emerge at once \u2014 the CS Asia Championship in Shanghai and the Thunderpick World Championship in Malta. Both tournaments promise high-stakes storylines, featuring rosters that need momentum, redemption, or proof that their rebuilds actually work before the year\u2019s final Major push.<\/p>\n
In Shanghai, all eyes turn to FaZe, entering their first event without rain, and to Liquid, who look to rediscover identity with EliGE back in the lineup. TYLOO seek redemption on home soil, while GamerLegion, 3DMAX, and Legacy aim to convert consistency into international results. Across the continent in Malta, FURIA and NAVI headline a tight eight-team field, joined by dark horses like Aurora, 9z, and Imperial \u2014 each fighting to close 2025 with a statement win.<\/p>\n
For peacemaker, these back-to-back events reveal which lineups can adapt under pressure and which are still searching for answers. Jet lag, BO1 volatility, and tight travel schedules turn every match into a test of focus and preparation. With prize pools, VRS points, and pride on the line, Shanghai and Malta might just decide who enters the final stretch of the season as true Major contenders \u2014 and who fades out before the storm hits again.<\/p>\n