3DMAX Bench Ex3rcice After Difficult 2026 Season Start
French organization 3DMAX has announced another significant roster move, placing long-time rifler Ex3rcice on the bench after a challenging opening half of the 2026 season. The decision ends one of the longest-standing player tenures within the lineup that traces its roots back to the original DBL PONEY project.
Quick Summary
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Team | 3DMAX |
| Player moved | Ex3rcice |
| Status | Benched |
| Date announced | June 24, 2026 |
| Age | 26 |
| Replacement | TBD |
| Next scheduled match | vs NiP – July 1, 2026 |
| Current HLTV rank* | #28 |
| Valve Regional Standing cited | Around #30 |
What Happened?
Ex3rcice was among the longest-serving members of the French project that evolved from DBL PONEY into 3DMAX.
3DMAX officially announced that Pierre "Ex3rcice" Bulinge has been moved to the bench of its Counter-Strike roster. The 26-year-old French player was one of the last remaining members of the original DBL PONEY core that later competed under HEET before signing with 3DMAX in late 2023.
The benching marks the second major lineup adjustment made by the organization in 2026.
Earlier this year, 3DMAX removed Alexandre "bodyy" Pianaro from the active lineup and signed Kévin "misutaaa" Rabier as his replacement in an effort to revitalize the roster.
No replacement player has been announced at the time of writing.
Background: A Difficult First Half of 2026
The decision comes after a disappointing stretch for the French squad.
According to HLTV, 3DMAX struggled to convert opportunities into meaningful tournament runs and failed to qualify for the IEM Cologne Major after disappointing showings at several important events, including:
IEM Krakow 2026
PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026
ESL Pro League Season 23
These results contributed to a decline in the team's standing within the Valve Regional Standings and increased pressure to make further roster changes.
For Ex3rcice personally, the last three months produced a 0.94 Rating 3.0 across 48 maps, according to HLTV statistics.
Updated 3DMAX Roster
3DMAX enters the second half of 2026 with another vacancy to fill following Ex3rcice's benching.
| Player | Status |
| Maka | Active |
| Lucky | Active |
| misutaaa | Active |
| Graviti | Active |
| Kursy | Active |
| Ex3rcice | Benched |
| wasiNk | Coach |
Why This Matters
The move carries significance beyond a simple player change.
Ex3rcice represented continuity for a lineup that survived multiple organizational transitions, including periods under DBL PONEY, HEET, and eventually 3DMAX.
Removing one of the project's longest-serving members suggests management believes incremental changes are no longer sufficient and that more aggressive roster rebuilding may be necessary.
The timing is also important.
3DMAX is scheduled to participate in XSE Pro League 2026, where the team is expected to debut a temporary or permanent fifth player if no additional changes occur beforehand.
Tactical Impact Analysis
3DMAX's next scheduled appearance against NiP could reveal the team's new fifth player.
While 3DMAX has not disclosed strategic reasons for the move, several potential consequences can be considered cautiously.
Possible impacts include:
Increased firepower from a future replacement.
Greater flexibility around aggressive rifling roles.
Adjustments to mid-round communication structures.
Additional pressure on veteran players such as Maka and Lucky to stabilize performances.
Because the organization has not publicly explained the reasoning, these points should be viewed as informed analysis rather than confirmed motivations.
Timeline of 3DMAX's 2026 Changes
| Date | Event |
| February 2026 | bodyy benched |
| February 2026 | misutaaa joins |
| Spring 2026 | Struggles at major events continue |
| June 24, 2026 | Ex3rcice moved to bench |
| July 1, 2026 | Scheduled match against NiP |
Key Details
| Category | Information |
| Player | Pierre "Ex3rcice" Bulinge |
| Nationality | France |
| Age | 26 |
| Time with core project | Since DBL PONEY era |
| Recent Rating | 0.94 |
| Current Status | Benched |
| Successor | TBD |
Impact Analysis
For 3DMAX, the move represents another attempt to regain competitiveness after slipping outside the elite European tier.
The organization currently sits near the edge of the Top 30 globally and faces increasing competition for invitations to major international tournaments.
A successful replacement could help stabilize results and improve future qualification campaigns.
Conversely, another unsuccessful roster adjustment may prolong the rebuilding process.
What Changes Now?
Several questions remain unanswered:
Will 3DMAX sign a permanent fifth player?
Will the team use a stand-in at upcoming events?
Is this the final roster move before the second half of 2026?
At present, the organization has not announced additional transfers.
What to Watch Next
The most immediate storyline will be 3DMAX's match against Ninjas in Pyjamas on July 1 at XSE Pro League 2026. The event could provide the first indication of the team's long-term direction and reveal whether a new player has already been secured.
FAQ
Why did 3DMAX bench Ex3rcice?
The organization has not publicly explained the exact reasons. The move follows disappointing tournament performances during the first half of 2026.
How long was Ex3rcice with the roster core?
He was among the last remaining members of the DBL PONEY lineup formed in 2021.
Has 3DMAX announced a replacement?
No. A replacement player has not been officially revealed.
When does 3DMAX play next?
The team's next scheduled match is against Ninjas in Pyjamas at XSE Pro League 2026 on July 1, 2026.
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