NiP Continue Their Resurgence at Stake Ranked Episode 2 as 3DMAX and HEROIC Crash Out

Ninjas in Pyjamas secured a place in the upper-bracket final of Stake Ranked Episode 2 after a dominant victory over Sharks, while both 3DMAX and HEROIC saw their tournament runs come to an early end. The second day of competition in Barcelona delivered several surprising results and further highlighted the instability that currently defines the tier-one and tier-two Counter-Strike scene. 

NiP entered the event looking to build momentum after a difficult period marked by roster changes and inconsistent results. Their opening match against HEROIC had already suggested that the team was beginning to find its rhythm, and the clash with Sharks only reinforced that impression. The Scandinavian organization produced one of its cleanest performances in recent months, defeating the Brazilian side 13-7 on Ancient before closing the series 13-5 on Nuke. The victory propelled NiP into the upper-bracket final and placed them just one series away from reaching the grand final. 

The result is particularly significant considering the expectations surrounding the current roster. NiP have spent much of the last year searching for stability, frequently adjusting their lineup and struggling to compete consistently against elite opposition. While the team is still far from being considered a title contender at the biggest international events, their run at Stake Ranked Episode 2 suggests that progress is being made. The combination of experienced players and younger talent has started to show signs of cohesion, something that had often been missing in previous tournaments.

Earlier in the tournament, NiP had already demonstrated their potential by defeating HEROIC in the opening round. That victory proved even more important after the Danish organization was eliminated from the event altogether. HEROIC entered the competition hoping to recover from a disappointing stretch of results, but their campaign ended after a 1-2 defeat against South American squad 9z in the lower bracket. The loss continued a worrying trend for the team, which has struggled to establish consistency throughout 2026. Analysts and community observers have repeatedly pointed to problems in HEROIC’s T-side structure and their inability to adapt when early-round plans break down. Those weaknesses once again became evident during the tournament. 

The elimination of 3DMAX was arguably just as surprising. The French side arrived at Stake Ranked Episode 2 with a stronger ranking and was viewed as one of the favorites to challenge for the title. However, they suffered an upset defeat to magic on the opening day before being knocked out by Alliance in a closely contested lower-bracket series. Losing two matches in succession exposed the inconsistency that has occasionally affected the team despite its overall progress during the past year. The result was particularly disappointing given that 3DMAX had recently been considered one of the most promising squads outside the established elite and had climbed significantly in the rankings. 

Alliance deserve considerable credit for that outcome. Their victory over 3DMAX demonstrated resilience under pressure and reinforced the growing belief that the organization can compete with more established names. In a tournament filled with unpredictable results, Alliance emerged as one of the biggest positive stories by capitalizing on opportunities created by the struggles of higher-ranked opponents. 

Stake Ranked Episode 2 itself has become notable for its competitive balance. Unlike many events where a small group of favorites dominates the bracket, several underdogs have managed to challenge expectations. Magic’s upset win over 3DMAX on the opening day immediately set the tone for the tournament, while 9z’s elimination of HEROIC further demonstrated how narrow the gap has become between teams in the current Counter-Strike ecosystem. 

For NiP, the path forward looked increasingly promising after reaching the upper-bracket final. Their disciplined approach against Sharks contrasted sharply with some of the inconsistency shown by rival teams throughout the event. More importantly, the team appeared comfortable on both Ancient and Nuke, two maps that have become increasingly important in the current competitive meta. If NiP could maintain that level of performance, they would have a realistic chance of securing one of their most meaningful tournament results in recent years. 

Meanwhile, HEROIC and 3DMAX were left searching for answers. Both organizations entered the tournament with ambitions of making a deep playoff run, yet neither managed to survive beyond the second day. Their exits served as a reminder of how unforgiving the modern Counter-Strike landscape has become, where even slight drops in form can lead to immediate elimination. As Stake Ranked Episode 2 moved toward its decisive stages, NiP stood as one of the biggest winners, while two well-known contenders headed home far earlier than expected.