eam Spirit’s tN1R: “I’m a More Balanced Player Because We Have donk” 

Team Spirit rifler Andrey “tN1R” Tatarinovich revealed how joining the roster has reshaped his playstyle in Counter-Strike 2, emphasizing that donk’s presence transforms the team’s roles and aggression levels. His comments appeared on the All About Counter-Strike podcast and highlight a major internal shift within Spirit’s CS2 strategy.

tN1R Explains How donk Changes His Role in Team Spirit

In the interview, tN1R compared his current form in Spirit to his performance in Heroic:

“People said in Heroic I played like a beast — aggressive or passive depending on the round. In Spirit, I’m a more balanced player because we have donk. He pushes forward aggressively — why stop when he’s killing people? If necessary, I go first, but if not, I stay back and help the team.”

He admitted that playing a supportive, less stat-heavy role can be mentally challenging, but said he is adapting to Spirit’s system.

These comments came as Spirit prepared for the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025.

Why These Comments Matter: Inside Spirit’s New CS2 Structure

✔ Spirit’s Roster Overhaul

Spirit added tN1R in September 2025, replacing zont1x in an attempt to boost firepower and expand tactical flexibility. Analysts noted that the move created a more dynamic roster capable of aggressive map control and layered mid-round pressure.

✔ donk’s Leadership Evolution

Spirit superstar Danil “donk” Kryshkovets recently discussed his own mental shift:

“I’ve become more mature, and now I’m thinking about winning the game as a team, not as a star player.”

He later confirmed that practice results with tN1R looked promising, signaling strong internal chemistry.

✔ Tactical Impact

According to third-party analysis, adding tN1R allows Spirit to run:

more unpredictable T-side aggression,

improved trading around donk’s entries,

faster map control, and

more flexible mid-round setups.

Before tN1R’s arrival, Spirit often leaned on donk for tempo-setting. Now, the team can activate multiple pressure points.

Current Team Spirit CS2 Roster (2025)

donk — star rifler

tN1R — aggressive rifler / secondary opener

sh1ro — AWPer

zweih — rifler

chopper — IGL

hally — coach

This lineup has been praised for its balance of experience, aim power, and tactical structure.