BLAST Open London Fantasy Game Debuts HLTV Rating 3.0 for the First Time

BLAST Open London Fantasy Game Debuts HLTV Rating 3.0 for the First Time

BLAST Open London 2025 will introduce a significant update to its fantasy game: the use of HLTV’s new Rating 3.0—marking the first season-level Fantasy event to implement this upgraded player performance metric. This change follows the Esports World Cup's usage of the older Rating 2.1. 

What Makes Rating 3.0 Different

Introduced earlier this season, Rating 3.0 improves upon earlier systems by incorporating nuanced statistical adjustments:

• Eco-sensitive adjustments consider match conditions—such as equipment values, sides, and maps.

• Helps identify impactful plays such as failed trades, trade denials, and multi-kills.

• Refined support for assists, realigning to a baseline 40-damage system.
  Detailed technical insights are available in HLTV’s dedicated update. ([HLTV "Introducing Rating 3.0"] (turn0search2))

Fantasy Format & Prize Incentives

• Open to Online Stage Only: The fantasy game applies exclusively to the online group rounds, spanning two eight-team double-elimination brackets with best-of-three matches.

• Team Roster: Features heavy hitters like Vitality, Spirit, MOUZ, NAVI, FaZe, G2, and Virtus.pro, as well as rising squads like Legacy, FURIA, FlyQuest, and Imperial.

• Prize Pool: Ranked players will be eligible for in-game skin rewards from Skin.Club, including:

  1. Hydra Gloves | Rattler (Field-Tested)

  2. AWP | Hyper Beast (Field-Tested)

  3. M4A1-S | Hyper Beast (Field-Tested)Price Adjustments and Player Trends

• Rating 3.0 impacts player pricing: While player values are algorithmically updated, HLTV applies manual overrides to maintain fairness and prevent mispricing.

• Notable examples:

  • jcobbb receives a $200k point value due to his upcoming FaZe debut—a calculated spike based on narrative rather than performance history.

  • donk, despite a drop in Rating 3.0, retains a $245k valuation—reflecting his popularity and influence. His price stability suggests strategic value beyond raw performance metrics.

Why It Matters

This adoption of Rating 3.0 sets a new standard for fantasy mechanics in CS2, delivering:

• Fairer representation of player impact across varied scenarios.

• Balanced team value assessment, rewarding efficiency alongside raw stats.

• Evolving fantasy strategies, where user predictions must now align with advanced performance signals, not just highlight reels.

Furthermore, as BLAST continues integrating innovative fantasy elements into its tournaments, fan engagement via Skin.Club rewards and deep fantasy integration positions the Open London format as a notable case study in esports interactivity.