skullz: “try is definitely a one-of-a-kind piece”
skullz: “try is definitely a one-of-a-kind piece”
skullz: “try is one-of-a-kind” — full breakdown
The Brazilian rifler Felipe "skullz" Medeiros has lauded the AWP from Imperial, Santino "try" Rigal, calling him “definitely a one-of-a-kind piece.” The praise comes after Imperial secured three straight wins at StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 — over Rare Atom, The Huns, and NRG — pushing the team into Stage 2.
Despite the opposition perhaps not being the toughest, skullz emphasized that those victories were crucial for building confidence going forward. “The games we won definitely made us gain confidence,” he explained, pointing out that Imperial still isn’t at their final form — a fact reflected in his personal numbers falling short of the peak form that originally convinced Liquid to sign him back in 2023.
Skullz also touched on his changing role within the team. For the first time, he finds himself not as the youngest or least experienced player, but as someone who can pass experience to younger teammates — a dynamic that he welcomed. He praised the team’s aggressive players (including try, chelo, noway, and VINI) for giving him space to play his game, contribute to mid-round decisions, and help shape the team’s structure.
Regarding try, skullz highlighted the AWP-er’s work ethic, fresh ideas, and ambition. He recalled that try earned the Dust2.com.br MVP at FERJEE Rush — a sign of his rising star potential. Skullz believes try represents the kind of AWP talent South America has long needed.
At the same time, skullz remains realistic: while confident in Imperial’s potential, he admits they still have work to do. He’s focusing on helping to build cohesion, refine strategies, and reach a “final form” where each member — aggressive rifles, support players, and AWPers like try — can fully thrive.
Context: skullz and his journey
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Skullz is 23 years old and currently playing for Imperial.
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His recent return to prominence follows a turbulent period: after a challenging stint with Liquid, where he struggled to impress (LAN rating hovered around 0.98), he moved back to Brazil, joining FURIA in mid-2024.
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At FURIA, skullz spoke about how the move “felt like home,” giving him freedom to grow and re-establish himself.
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While with FURIA, skullz also had the opportunity to play alongside veterans like Kaike "KSCERATO" Cerato and Gabriel "FalleN" Toledo — a chance he described as fulfilling a childhood dream.
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Now, with Imperial, he is embracing a different role: not as the rising rookie but as a guiding veteran in a squad mixing both young talent and aggressive individual players.
What this could mean for Imperial’s future
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With try’s rising AWP talent and skullz’s stabilizing presence, Imperial seems better balanced — blending aggression with experience and coordination.
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If skullz guides the roster properly while allowing space for the more aggressive players to shine, Imperial could evolve into a dark horse: a squad with potential to surprise established European-heavy teams.
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The confidence from their Major wins — even if the opposition wasn’t the hardest — could serve as a psychological boost, especially for younger players stepping onto the big stage for the first time.
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