Zonic: “We Focused on Kyousuke, but Overlooked NiKo and TeSeS Role Changes”

 Zonic: “We Focused on Kyousuke, but Overlooked NiKo and TeSeS Role Changes”

Danny “zonic” Sørensen recently opened up about the early turbulence in Falcons’ season, admitting that while the team has made progress, certain new role adjustments for veterans NiKo and TeSeS created some growing pains. 

Establishing Kyousuke — and the Oversight

Falcons’ newest talent, Maxim “kyousuke” Lukin, made his big-tier debut at IEM Cologne with encouraging personal stats — his individual performance drew praise even if team results were inconsistent. 

Zonic explains that the coaching staff’s priority was to integrate kyousuke in a way that made him feel “comfortable,” giving him space and freedom in plays. However, this emphasis came at the cost of not paying enough attention to the fact that NiKo and TeSeS were also adapting to new roles within the team — a factor that may have contributed to initial underperformance. 

For context:

NiKo, longtime star rifler and veteran leader, has had to adapt his playstyle, taking on positions that differ from his usual ones — less space-taking in some maps, more lurker‐like duty, especially on T‐side.

TeSeS, meanwhile, was shifted to anchor roles on CT side (for example, B anchor on Mirage), roles that he has historically filled but which now compete with changes in style and team dynamics.

Zonic acknowledges that trying to give kyousuke an easier adjustment was a valid aim, but that the team underestimated how role changes for NiKo and TeSeS — each with their own expectations, strengths, and prior roles — would affect synergy. 

Tournament Performance & Progress

Despite the rough start (Cologne and a few shaky showings), Falcons have since found stronger form. In FISSURE Playground 2, they went undefeated in the group stage, did not drop a map, and secured a solid playoff berth.

Zonic highlighted that visa difficulties forced them to pick events more carefully, which paradoxically helped: more stable blocks of practice time, home days for working on the playbook, more opportunity for the team to integrate kyousuke properly without rushing. 

He says that although still evolving, the team is getting closer to building its DNA — the style and decision‐making patterns that define Falcons’ identity. Less trial and error, more consistency on both CT and T sides. 

Ambitions & Mindset Going Forward

Falcons are well-aware of expectations. With heavy names like NiKo, m0NESY, TeSeS, kyxsan, and now kyousuke, external pressure is high. Zonic says that while trophies are a goal, the more pressing task is stability and growth — doing the foundational work so that the roster can peak at the Major. 

He also noted the importance of calm. Rather than rushing for titles from the first event, Falcons want fewer mistakes, better communication, and steadier performance. The win over FaZe in the recent event was satisfying, but there were maps (e.g. Nuke) where they narrowly escaped, showing both promise and areas to shore up. 

Takeaway

The strategy of centering kyousuke and giving him comfort has paid individual dividends and boosted Falcons’ long‐term potential, but implementing that came with a trade‐off for veterans transitioning to redefined roles.

Role clarity, ensuring each player knows their responsibilities, seems to be a key area of focus for Falcons now, particularly for NiKo and TeSeS.

Falcons are trending upward: undefeated in groups in their latest tournament, closer to their identity, more game stability.

The Major looms as the true test — whether they can combine all pieces cleanly under pressure and deliver a title that matches their roster’s promise.