After two years of stagnation and painful inconsistency, BIG has finally broken its own cycle. The German organization has taken decisive steps that could redefine its identity — abandoning the comfort of its national roots in pursuit of genuine international success.
The latest roster overhaul isn’t just a reaction to poor results; it’s a statement of intent. By stepping away from their German-only philosophy and embracing English communication for the first time since the mantuu era, BIG signals that it’s ready to grow beyond old limits.
Two Signings, One Direction
The transformation began with two bold moves in October 2025 — both instantly raising the team’s ceiling.
On October 10th, BIG signed Belarusian AWPer Gleb “gr1ks” Gazin, replacing the struggling Marcel “hyped” Köhn. The difference is stark: hyped left with a 0.98 rating over nine months, while gr1ks arrives with a 1.14 rating from his stint with GUN5. It’s a direct upgrade — one that finally gives BIG a confident, aggressive AWP presence.
Just two days later, Lukas “FreeZe” Hegmann was promoted from BIG Academy to take over the in-game leader role. This allowed Johannes “tabseN” Wodarz to step away from six years of tactical responsibility and focus purely on what he does best — fragging, mentoring, and leading by example.
Still, some observers question whether tabseN can return to tier-one individual form. As Anders Blume notes:
I think at this point tier 1 CS means something different from when tabseN was one of the best riflers in the world. But that doesn’t really mean he couldn’t hit a crazy level during a map or a game. I just don’t think the plan can be to win a tournament with tabseN delivering tier 1 rifling all throughout — that feels unlikely in 2025.
His point captures a broader reality: tabseN’s mechanical ceiling may have changed, but his influence as a leader and culture-setter remains as vital as ever.
Breaking the Language Barrier
Perhaps the most symbolic shift of all is linguistic. With gr1ks joining, BIG has switched to English communication — a monumental decision for a roster that has proudly stuck to its native language for most of its history.
This isn’t just about words. It’s about mindset. By going international, BIG signals that it’s done limiting itself to Germany’s shallow player pool. It’s a clear message to the scene: BIG wants to compete with the best, not just represent its country.
The last time they did this — during the smooya and XANTARES days — results and energy spiked. This time, it feels more deliberate. Less of an experiment, more of an evolution.
Structure and Roles, Finally Defined
For years, BIG struggled with unclear roles and overlapping duties. The current lineup finally feels organized.
FreeZe’s arrival creates a clean tactical hierarchy: a young, strategic IGL supported by an experienced core. tabseN can now dedicate himself to performance, JDC and prosus form the rifling backbone, and gr1ks brings the AWP threat they lacked since syrsoN’s peak.
Still, not everyone in the scene is convinced this formula will immediately click. Analyst Teddcs was notably skeptical about the synergy between the new roles:
If I had to describe some of the moves from BIG lately, I would use the word shocking. Firstly, Krimbo has been one of the pillars of this team and regardless of BIG struggling in Tier 2 Counter-Strike, a definitive Tier 1 material player, who is still just 23 years old, so removing him surprised me the most.
He further questioned the team’s balance:
gr1ks brief stint on Heroic left us with a lot of question marks. Was he unwilling to change his approach to the game or did the team just mislead him to believe he would be playing a different style of CS? I still see him as an upgrade to hyped, but with FreeZe (who has always been a proactive player as an IGL), tabseN, who does require some space, JDC’s transition to a star throughout the last years and prosus being the only passive/supportive player on the team, there definitely is some deserved scepticism concerning this lineup’s potential.
His analysis highlights the same issue that has haunted BIG for years — overlapping space and unclear offensive structure. The new leadership must now prove that this iteration can function as a coherent system rather than a collection of strong-willed individuals.
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Tapping into Global Talent
The addition of gr1ks doesn’t just boost firepower; it expands BIG’s reach. Under the old German-only model, players like him were simply out of reach. Now, with English communication, the doors to European and CIS talent are wide open.
The timing was ideal, too. After a controversial benching from Heroic, gr1ks rebuilt his reputation with GUN5, showing hunger and maturity. For BIG, that’s gold — a player with something to prove, and the skill to back it up.
Even so, Teddcs believes the team could have gone further with its international push:
After deciding to go international, I was hoping they would bring in even more non-German players.
It’s a fair criticism — BIG’s “international” roster still feels half-rooted in Germany. But this may be a transitional step, not the final form.
Early Signs of Life
The internal response has been overwhelmingly positive. BIG’s Chief Gaming Officer Roman Reinhardt described the changes as “a necessary evolution rather than another rebuild.” His transparency around the decisions — including the risky move to bench Krimbo, their most stable performer — highlights a new level of conviction in the organization’s direction.
The new structure brings clarity: tabseN as anchor and motivator, FreeZe as strategist, gr1ks as firepower, and a supporting cast with defined tasks. It’s logical, measured, and, above all, sustainable — words rarely associated with BIG’s previous iterations.
Beyond National Limits
For the first time in years, BIG is not pretending that hard work alone is enough. They’ve recognized a simple truth: the German scene, while passionate and disciplined, lacks the depth to sustain tier-one consistency.
By embracing English and recruiting internationally, BIG is no longer confined by geography or tradition. It’s a shift from national representation to competitive ambition — from “the best in Germany” to “one of the best in the world.”
The Road Ahead
BIG’s latest reshuffle is more than another chapter — it’s a rewrite of the entire book. The organization has learned from its rushed international experiments of the past, now opting for careful, structural change rather than reactionary swaps.
Challenges will come. Adjusting to English comms, building chemistry, redefining identity — all of it takes time. But for once, the foundation looks right. The pieces fit. The direction makes sense.
A Calculated Gamble on Growth
BIG’s new roster marks its most significant transformation since the organization’s creation. By stepping beyond the German walls — both literally and metaphorically — they’ve broken the cycle that kept them trapped in mediocrity.
This isn’t about abandoning identity; it’s about expanding it. BIG is no longer just Germany’s team. It’s a team that finally dares to think globally. For the first time in years, BIG isn’t just changing — it’s evolving.
