xKacpersky: “If one guy makes a mistake in a tactic, it can affect other players. Here we didn’t make these shit mistakes”

xKacpersky: “If one guy makes a mistake in a tactic, it can affect other players. Here we didn’t make these shit mistakes”

The young Polish rifler Kacper “xKacpersky” Gabara admits that his team’s strong performance was rooted in something simple yet often overlooked: tactical discipline. Speaking after the second match of their pool run at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, xKacpersky said: “If one guy makes a mistake in a tactic, it can affect other players. Here we didn’t make these shit mistakes so everyone could play their game and focus on themselves.” 

A rough start…

For the Ninjas in Pyjamas, the event could not have begun much worse: they were taken down 7-13 by NRG, with head coach Damian “daps” Steele filling in for Nick “nitr0” Cannella. The loss underscored both the pressure and the margin for error at the Major stage.

…then a sharp recovery

In their very next best-of-one, NIP faced Lynn Vision and responded in style with a commanding 13-2 win on Train. The result signalled not only dominance on the scoreboard but also a return to the discipline that xKacpersky emphasised. 

What changed?

According to xKacpersky, the key was the team’s ability to reset after the opener, recognise the mistakes they made, and commit to execution. He noted:

“In the first game, we made a lot of stupid mistakes. We went through it, and we understood that we cannot do this here because it costs us too much.” 
In other words, the team had a candid, internal “talk” and emerged ready to play their game.

He added that the positive vibe in the second game—everyone “having fun, enjoying the game, doing some plays, connecting with each other”—helped everyone lock in. 

Context: xKacpersky’s arrival and potential

The interview comes just months after his transfer journey. Earlier in the year, the Polish talent was on loan from ENCE to Ninjas in Pyjamas. Even before that, during the summer transfer window, NIP were reportedly in advanced talks to sign him permanently. Meanwhile, in his debut with NIP at IEM Cologne he put up impressive numbers (1.16 rating) and looked comfortable quickly. 

Within that context, his remarks carry weight: the team isn’t just lined up for participation, but for execution and impact. The emphasis on avoiding “these shit mistakes” signals a mindset shift.

Why it matters

• Tactical fluidity and discipline: At the top level of CS2, one misstep in a defined plan can reverberate across a round, costing economy or positioning. xKacpersky’s observation highlights just how fragile the apex of performance can be.

• Team cohesion: A phrase like “everyone could play their game” speaks to how tactical mistakes don’t just affect outcomes, but individual comfort and freedom within the five-man unit.

• Trajectory: For NIP, their 1-1 pool record (following the win) keeps them alive and signals they might fight deeper than some expected after their recent struggles. The win over Lynn Vision isn’t just a scoreboard line—it’s proof they can deliver under pressure.

Final thoughts

xKacpersky’s blunt phrasing—“we didn’t make these shit mistakes”—captures something refreshing: raw honesty about the challenge of high-level CS2, and a recognition that success is often about not messing up. For NIP, if they can keep executing at that level, if the tactical light-bulbs stay lit, they may yet surprise. After all, a mistake isn’t just a lost round—it can ripple and derail the collective. That awareness, above all, might just give them an edge.