100 Thieves Fans, Come Here: seang@res Breaks Down the CS2 Rebuild
100 Thieves’ return to Counter-Strike is no longer just a headline — it is a long-term project built from the ground up. In the latest episode of HLTV’s Come Here podcast, Head of FPS Sean “seang@res” Gares joined NER0 and Nohte to explain how the organization assembled its new CS2 roster, why the team will start from zero in the rankings, and what fans should realistically expect in the early months.
Unlike many modern esports rebuilds, 100 Thieves deliberately avoided buying an already-ranked core. Instead, the organization chose to assemble a lineup piece by piece, prioritizing structure, leadership, and long-term stability over short-term invites.
Why 100 Thieves Start From Zero in the CS2 Rankings
One of the key takeaways from the podcast is simple but critical: this roster must grind its way into the ecosystem.
Because 100 Thieves did not acquire a pre-ranked lineup, the team begins without a meaningful Valve Regional Standings (VRS) position. That means no direct invites — only qualifiers, smaller LANs, and incremental progress.
According to HLTV’s coverage, this was a conscious decision, not a mistake. The organization accepted the ranking reset as the cost of building the “right” roster rather than the fastest one.
The Core Structure: rain as IGL, gla1ve as Coach, device as the Star
The backbone of the new 100 Thieves CS2 roster revolves around experience and leadership:
rain transitions into the IGL role
Håvard “rain” Nygaard takes on a new challenge by moving into an in-game leadership position. While best known as a world-class rifler, rain now becomes central to shaping the team’s identity and mid-round decision-making.
When joining 100 Thieves, rain described the move as a fresh start:
“I have found a new home in 100 Thieves and a new and exciting challenge is about to start.”
gla1ve moves into coaching for the first time
Lukas “gla1ve” Rossander — one of the most successful in-game leaders in Counter-Strike history — transitions into a full-time coaching role. This marks the first time gla1ve has taken on head coach responsibilities, bringing strategic structure and championship-level experience to the rebuild.
gla1ve previously stated that he believes he has something “extraordinary” to offer in this role, signaling that this is more than a symbolic position.
device reunites with gla1ve
The signing of Nicolai “device” Reedtz completes the lineup and reunites him with gla1ve after their legendary Astralis era. For device, the move represents a reset after a difficult period.
Earlier in 2025, device openly reflected on his motivation:
“A lot of this year has been a wake-up call for me to figure out how I can be the player I want to be.”
Roster Philosophy: Why 100 Thieves Refused to Buy a Core
Before the final lineup was announced, 100 Thieves leadership made its approach clear. Head of CS Operations Graham “messioso” Pitt and seang@res emphasized flexibility, patience, and fit over convenience.
Key statements from HLTV interviews include:
“We’ve looked at a lot of cores in the top 30… we could also build from scratch.” — seang@res
“We want to get the best possible players that suit us.” — messioso
“The one thing I don’t want to do is buy a core and then replace two players within two months.” — messioso
This philosophy explains why the roster mixes proven veterans with younger players rather than relying solely on an established lineup.
Official 100 Thieves CS2 Roster
As confirmed by HLTV, the active lineup is:
rain
Ag1l
sirah
poiii
device
Head coach: gla1ve
This blend aligns directly with 100 Thieves’ stated goal: combine elite experience with long-term development potential.
First LAN Test: Roman Imperium Cup V
The team’s first on-server checkpoint will come at Roman Imperium Cup V, held February 19–22 at the SAW Esports Arena in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
For a brand-new roster with a new IGL and first-time head coach, early LAN experience is expected to be crucial for building chemistry and refining structure.
Why This 100 Thieves Return Is Different
In its official announcement, 100 Thieves positioned CS2 as a renewed global opportunity, emphasizing a Europe-first strategy and long-term investment.
The organization highlighted:
Europe as the center of competitive Counter-Strike
A commitment to building infrastructure, including a training base in Serbia
A multi-year partnership enabling sustained investment
Rather than chasing immediate results, the project is designed to scale.
What Fans Should Expect Next
The message from seang@res is clear: this is not a short-term win-now roster. Early results may be inconsistent, invites will need to be earned, and progress will come in stages.
But for 100 Thieves, the rebuild is about creating a foundation — one that can survive roster pressure, meta shifts, and the realities of CS2’s evolving competitive landscape.
For fans, patience is part of the plan.
