hades reacts to unexpected message from kRaSnaL ahead of clash in China

hades reacts to unexpected message from kRaSnaL ahead of clash in China

Ahead of the CS Asia Championships 2025 in Shanghai, Olek “hades” Miskiewicz shared an intriguing behind-the-scenes detail: his future opponent, Szymon “kRaSnaL” Mrozek, messaged him ahead of the match saying they “might see each other in China”. The Polish AWPer admitted he was “fully confused” by the comment. 

That cryptic message gains significance given the circumstances: hades is standing in for HEROIC due to Alimzhan “Alkaren” Bitimbai’s visa issues, while kRaSnaL has joined B8 as a stand-in (replacing kensizor). This sets up a rare scenario where two players who have been teammates in ex-Inner Circle confront each other in a competitive match. 

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Background: stand-ins, roster shifts, and the showdown setup

hades joins HEROIC as substitute

With Alkaren unable to attend the event, HEROIC brought in hades to fill the gap. The move required quick decision-making, as hades reported that no official practice sessions were held; the team only talked through ideas, style, and expectations prior to the match. 

“We haven’t done any practice at all. We’ve only spoken about the game … we will go in fresh.” 

He indicated that given the short notice and lack of rehearsal, the goal was pragmatic: “take it one game at a time.” 

kRaSnaL joins B8 as stand-in

Meanwhile, B8 elevated kRaSnaL (formerly of inner circle) to fill their roster for the event, replacing kensizor. The alignment of these stand-ins led to the interesting pre-match exchange. 

This puts two Polish players—once part of the same core—on opposing sides in their first major LAN meeting under these unique circumstances.

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Significance of the message & psychological edge

hades said he was unsure what to make of kRaSnaL’s message. Whether it was friendly banter or a mental ploy, his reaction was candid:

“He wrote to me that we might see each other in China, and I was fully confused.” 

In esports, pre-match messaging can carry psychological weight. Some players use it to unsettle opponents or suggest inevitability. In this case, the mix of surprise and curiosity suggests hades wasn’t expecting the personal nature of it. Given their shared history, the line blurs between competitor and former teammate.

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What hades said beyond the message

Beyond the text exchange, hades spoke with confidence about the event and his role:

• This is his first LAN event in China. He expressed genuine excitement about the stage. 

• Regarding his readiness, hades affirmed that he trusted HEROIC’s infrastructure: “really good individuals … we just need to beat whoever we face.” 

• Reflecting on his recent results: though benched earlier, hades drew confidence from his performance at the Birch Cup, where he posted strong numbers for ex-Inner Circle. 

• He acknowledged that his team’s performance at prior events (like DraculaN) had been underwhelming, but that they took lessons from those to improve. 

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Broader implications & narrative threads

Former teammates clashing under new banners

The kRaSnaL message gains even more drama considering both hades and kRaSnaL were integral components of the ex-Inner Circle roster. That they now face off as substitutes creates a compelling subplot: how well can they adapt in unfamiliar team dynamics?

Stand-in chaos & roster instability

Both players are arriving under less-than-ideal conditions: hades with no formal practice and kRaSnaL entering a short-term role. The performance under pressure will test individual adaptability more than team synergy.

Reputation stakes & trajectory

hades has established himself as a consistent performer in Polish and European CS circles. His ratings hover around 1.12 in recent maps. 
kRaSnaL meanwhile continues building experience in the competitive landscape. His ratings in recent maps reach about 1.11, per HLTV. 

This match may impact perceptions of their readiness and versatility in high-stakes environments.