“Fear on Fnatic’s Major roster: ‘The decision will be made close to the Major’”

“Fear on Fnatic’s Major roster: ‘The decision will be made close to the Major’”

Fnatic’s captain, Rodion “fear” Smyk, has confirmed that the organization still has not determined whether jackasmo or CYPHER will play in the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, saying that the final decision will come “close to the Major.” 

Road to Major qualification

Fnatic entered the CS Asia Championships 2025 with their Major spot already secured, but the path there had been far from smooth. Their initial attempt through the Birch Cup ended in a quarterfinal finish, leaving their qualification prospects marginal at best. 

However, the team then traveled to North America and claimed victory in Fragadelphia Blocktober, securing their ticket to Budapest. 

Shortly after clinching the Major berth, Fnatic announced that they would bring in Nikita “jackasmo” Skyba on loan from Passion UA, while benching long-time member Cai “CYPHER” Watson for the duration of the CS Asia Championships (CAC).  The change reunited jackasmo with former Passion UA teammates fear and jambo, who were already part of Fnatic. 

Fnatic explained the move as a sporting decision: “We were impressed by jackasmo’s impact during our winning run at Frag Blocktober … we feel that in the moment it was going to be the best for us to show a better result.” 

On the roster decision: fear’s perspective

In the HLTV interview, fear addressed the roster ambiguity and the reasoning behind the six-man setup. Key points include:

The decision whether jackasmo or CYPHER will play at the Major has not yet been made; it will be decided closer to the event.

The six-player roster is not intended to commit to a fixed starter yet:

“Right now, we have a six-man roster, and that was just a sport decision, because we feel in the moment it was going to be the best for us to show a better result.” 

He acknowledged that eventually one player may have to leave for roster economy, but the team is not rushing that.

As for goals at the Major, fear set modest expectations:

“We don’t have high expectations. Our goal is to go through the group stage and qualify for the playoffs.” 

On their schedule and fatigue, he admitted they are jet-lagged, but said adaptation is part of pro life.

He also reflected on the journey: after Birch Cup, “we understood that we had quite a low chance … but if others failed, we can go through … In the end, it paid off.”  And on the fragadelphia win:

“It’s my second Major … My parents always say that, ‘I’m always jumping to the last train’ … the emotions were very high.” 

Backstory: CYPHER’s arrival & Fnatic’s roster shifts

A few months prior, Fnatic had formally added CYPHER to their roster. On July 28, 2025, the organization announced that Cai “CYPHER” Watson would join from BC.Game, filling the void left by MATYS’ transfer to G2.  At that time, CYPHER was seen as the long-term fifth piece. 

However, the mid–season substitution in October, benching CYPHER in favor of jackasmo (on loan), marks a sudden pivot. Liquipedia also notes that Fnatic formally benched CYPHER and acquired jackasmo on loan until the season’s end. 

Prospects & speculation

The roster question—jackasmo vs. CYPHER—has stirred community talk. Some believe the move is bold given that CYPHER helped with qualification, and benching him so close to the Major could be controversial.  Others suggest that jackasmo’s synergy and performance in Fragadelphia earned him a trial. 

Until Fnatic formally announce the starting five, the suspense remains. As fear put it: “the decision will be made close to the Major.”