“I like to be very active; I’m very happy with these role changes” — snow on his new aggressor role & paiN’s resurgence

“I like to be very active; I’m very happy with these role changes” — snow on his new aggressor role & paiN’s resurgence

After a gritty 2–1 win over TYLOO at BLAST Rivals 2025 Season 2 that secured their playoff berth, Brazil’s young rifler João “snow” Vinicius offered insight into his freshly defined role within paiN, and what it means for the team’s trajectory. “I like to be very active in my game… when I am this guy, I am in the game,” the 18-year-old admitted with a smile. 

Role shift: From flexible to front-foot

paiN have endured an up-and-down phase following their semi-final run at the Austin Major. A senior core, fatigue, and inconsistent performances caught up — prompting a reassessment of roles headed into Bucharest and the Hong Kong-based Rivals event. 

What changed for snow? He moved into a more aggressive/playmaker profile: instead of being a secondary rifler or anchor, he now takes first-contact opportunities, influences mid-round decision-making, and collaborates more actively with the IGL. In his words:

“To be honest, I really like to play like that. I’m an aggressive guy, helping the IGL with some ideas and feeling the game… I like to be very active in my game.” 

This role suits snow’s natural rhythm — earlier in his career, he stood out for his vocal presence and energy. As a teenager breaking into the top 20, the younger version of snow often called himself “the active guy” who thrived when dictating pace rather than reacting. 

The impact on paiN

The shift comes at a pivotal time: paiN needed something different. After a promising run in 2024, momentum stalled, and events revealed cracks in their structure. According to snow:

“I was feeling that [the team wasn’t on the same page] in the last events, but now we are getting on the same page. Not at the high point that we can make it to, but we are going in the right way and doing things very good. We are on the way to being a very good team and to being on the top.” 

In their win over TYLOO, snow’s role came into sharper relief: he generated space, took early openings, and his willingness to engage changed the dynamic of key rounds. The result held extra weight — reaching playoffs at Rivals resets some of the narrative and gives paiN a platform to build.

Statistical snapshot & what it tells us

According to his publicly available stats: snow has played ~700 maps, with a Rating 2.0 of approximately 1.06 and 72.4 ADR. His KPR is 0.66, KAST 72.6%. 
These numbers hint at a steady performer, but not yet a star in the rigid sense. The recent role change provides a larger sample to elevate his output: being unleashed into first-kill duties and play-making segments means his fragging stats might rise, but so might expectations.

Challenges and what remains to be solved

Snow is candid about paiN’s ongoing work:

“We have to work on [our T sides]. Our T side was not good on the last two maps… we have to work on that.” 

Indeed, aggressive rifling must be balanced with stability: when you send someone forward, someone else must hold the structure. For paiN, success in the new role framework depends on rounding out their T-sides and maintaining team cohesion. Snow himself emphasises this:

“For the win, all the team needs to play together and help each other with the nades… we are working on that.” 

Why this moment is important

• Youth meets responsibility: At 18, snow is among the scene’s younger profiles to receive a defined playmaking role on a top-16 international team. That trust signals both growth and expectation.

• Brazilian CS momentum: paiN’s evolution reflects the broader rise of Brazilian squads in CS2 — teams that combine raw talent with refining tactical frameworks. Snow’s comfort in his role helps validate that trend.

• Arm thing vs static structure: Many riflers get boxed into “safe” roles early. Snow’s shift into aggressor/play-maker suggests paiN believe his ceiling is higher in a freer role — an encouraging sign for his individual arc.

What to watch next

• Performance delta: Will snow’s KPR and ADR climb now that he’s playing more aggressively? The upcoming Major cycle will be a testbed.

• Team identity clarity: Can paiN lock in a defined style with this new internal structure, or will role shifts lead to confusion? The feedback from snow suggests alignment is improving but not perfected.

• Consistency under pressure: His quote about being “on the way” underscores the importance of sustained results. One breakout game won’t spell long-term elevation unless his new role drives consistency.

Final word

João “snow” Vinicius’s statement — “I like to be very active; I’m very happy with these role changes” — is more than just a quote. It’s a signal: a promising talent stepping into a role that better matches his instincts, within a team that recognizes change is needed. For paiN, this may be the reset they’ve long sought. For snow, it’s an opportunity to transform from young hope into a leading rifler. The time ahead will prove whether the role unlocks his full potential — but all the signs suggest the switch was the right move.