Heroic’s LNZ urges caution despite standout run at PGL Masters Bucharest 2025

Heroic’s LNZ urges caution despite standout run at PGL Masters Bucharest 2025

After sealing a playoff berth at the PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 event, Heroic’s coach-player Linus “LNZ” Holtäng acknowledged the team’s strong performance but emphasised that they cannot afford to become complacent. The Swedish roster posted a flawless 3-0 record in the Swiss stage, capped by a major victory over favourite Aurora. 

“We’ve shown what we can do … but we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves”

LNZ admitted that while the wins feel “absolutely amazing” and marked a welcome return to playoff-form, the team remains grounded. “It’s nice to be in the playoffs of an event again… we didn’t have too many of those since I joined Heroic. Also, it feels nice not to drop a map — especially against a team like Aurora,” he said. 

Despite the surge in form, he emphasised:

“Now we’ve shown what we can do, winning against the team that should maybe win the tournament, but we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves and think we will win everything. We should stay humble, and even if we have two days off, I think we should look back at what we can fix and then we go again.” 

The message is clear: Heroic view their current success as a stepping-stone, not a plateau.

A strong performance with a backdrop of turbulence

Heroic’s recent run has been far from smooth. In the months leading up to Bucharest they had roster changes, a difficult run of results, and even missed the second Major of the year — a blow to their ambitions. LNZ recognised the frustration that came from effort not producing results: “We are just so passionate about CS and really want to win, so when you’ve put in a lot of effort and it doesn’t come back out in a positive way, it’s really frustrating.” 

In that light, the 3-0 Swiss stage record offers a form of redemption. A particular highlight: beating Aurora, a team many tipped as a tournament contender, without dropping a map shows a tangible turnaround.

Key player and tactical shifts

LNZ also spoke about the form of Turkish rifler Yasin 'xfl0ud' Koç, who has emerged as one of Heroic’s most impactful performers. LNZ credited xfl0ud’s improved role clarity:

“He is an animal from Turkey, you know? He likes to run and he likes to aim, but I think he’s gotten his footing a little bit better in this team, knowing what his role is and what he should do in all of his positions.” 

This suggests Heroic have refined tactical clarity and role definition — areas often flagged as weak in earlier slumps. With the Swiss format placing a premium on preparation and adaptation, this refinement is a major positive signal.

Looking ahead: What comes next

With the playoffs now secured, Heroic face choices. Will they push aggressively for a tournament win, or use upcoming rest days to regroup and fine-tune their system? LNZ hinted the latter:

“Even if we have two days off, I think we should look back at what we can fix and then we go again.” 

Meanwhile, other teams watching Heroic will now take note of their renewed momentum. There is a strong narrative of return from adversity: from roster volatility and missed opportunities, to confident performance on LAN.

Why this moment matters

• Psychological momentum: Coming into Bucharest, Heroic were under scrutiny. A 3-0 Swiss start resets narrative.

• Structural improvement: The focus on role definition, preparation and humility signals long-term stability rather than flash in the pan results.

• Tournament dynamics: Early wins remove the fear of elimination (the dreaded 0-2 bracket) and allow strategic flexibility for later rounds.

• Message to rivals: Heroic, once written off by some as region-locked or inconsistent, are now showing they can contend in top-tier LAN events again.

Final word

Heroic’s run at PGL Masters Bucharest 2025, led by LNZ’s steadied leadership and xfl0ud’s breakout performance, stands as a statement of resurgence. But the tone remains cautious. In an era where tournament brackets swing on razor-thin margins, staying humble and focused may matter more than any single flashy result. Heroic have shown what they can do. Now it’s about proving they can maintain it.