Dev1ce Reacts After Astralis’ Budapest Major Exit: “Sometimes You Have to Be Broken to Grow Back Stronger”

Astralis star AWPer Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz has commented on the team’s early elimination from the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, calling the loss “painful” and vowing to rebuild his form.

After a 0–2 defeat to Team Liquid in the decisive Stage 2 Swiss match, dev1ce posted on X:

“I will do everything I can to get back individually in form. Sometimes you have to be broken to grow back stronger.”

The Dane finished Stage 2 with a 0.93 rating, one of his lowest Major performances—continuing a trend of self-criticism he has expressed throughout 2025.

Astralis Collapse Against Liquid

Astralis lost 13–7 on Nuke and 13–9 on Mirage, never finding momentum.
Liquid, meanwhile, completed a dramatic comeback from 0–2 to 3–2, advancing to Stage 3 of the CS2 Major.

Teammates Admit: “We Didn’t Show Up”

In-game leader Rasmus “HooXi” Nielsen admitted the loss was decisive:

“We didn’t show up at all… It was a shutdown from the other side.”

Veteran rifler Emil “Magisk” Reif echoed the sentiment:

“On a normal day we would be able to beat them… We only have ourselves to blame.”

Off-Server Turmoil Adds Pressure

Astralis’ elimination comes amid organizational instability:

Danish outlet Ekstra Bladet reported salary delays shortly before the Liquid match.

Astralis’ new owner, Fusion Esports Group, attributed the issue to transitional complications.

CEO Jonas Gundersen called the timing “far from ideal,” promising compensation.

Players have hinted that these distractions affected the team’s overall form.

Dev1ce’s Ongoing Comeback Story

The Budapest Major was supposed to mark dev1ce’s full competitive return after missing the Shanghai Major RMR due to illness and recovering from prior stress-related issues.

Instead, Astralis exit the Major with a 2–3 record, and questions now surround:

• Magisk’s expiring loan,

• Astralis’ roster direction for 2026,

• dev1ce’s quest to regain top AWP form in CS2.

For now, the four-time Major champion says he’s ready to rebuild:
“Broken now — stronger later.”