BLAST.tv Austin Major power rankings: dupreeh picks the underdogs and favourites for Stage 1

"I think HEROIChas been looking solid lately with their recent victory at MESA Nomadic Masters Spring 2025. They also recently won CCT Global Finals 2025 online, which has first of all given them a lot of confidence in their capabilities, but also an understanding of their team and how they function - a very instrumental asset coming into a Major.
They've gotten a lot of practice and official matches together over the last couple of months, so they have a lot of data and repetitions of their playstyle, so I am confident Heroic will advance to Stage 2.
Not to forget mentioning their incredible coach, sAw, who's created magnificent rosters time and time again. He's a great asset to their recent success." - dupreeh

"B8 is a team that suprises me time and time again, for some reason, but I can't seem to always understand why. Maybe it's their firepower, maybe it's them getting the most out of the least expected situations. They have their majority of games online, where they are most of the time making deep runs or win.
With an average age of 20.6 they are a young team, but with individuals who have played along side some of the greatest. npl and headtr1ck stand out, with the former's time in NAVI, albeit a short stint, it's given him a template of experience and understanding of playing at the highest level.
Maybe they are 'inexperienced' compared to other players or teams at the Major, but they have the individual firepower and the cool mindset to move on to the next stage." - dupreeh

"Complexity has pleasantly surprised me ever since the rebuild, where we saw EliGE move on to his European adventure in FaZe Clan. A lot of the heavy-lifting was previously done by EliGE, where occasionally his teammates would take turn in helping him. But it never really got anywhere.
A lot of people - probably myself included - saw an uninspiring Complexity being rebuild. The relatively unknown but local NA talents in czxi and nicx was brougt into the roster to build Complexity's new story. 
With EliGE leaving the team, Complexity needed the rest of the roster to step up tremendously, and so far, it's been going in the right direction. We've seen Grim and Hallzerk step up respectively, and the newcomers haven't been looking completely out of it either.
There's a long way to go, but with what they've shown at some of the best events Counter-Strike has to offer, and against really great opposition, I believe Complexity can overcome the opposition at this stage and advance to Stage 2.
However, they need to keep it cool. They have a great mix of experienced and inexperienced players, and I believe they claim themselves to be one of the favourites coming into this stage - A very dangerous assumption if you're considered 'a favourite'. A few slip-ups can cause a lack of confidence, and cofidence is everything at a Major." - dupreeh

"I can only allow myself to be a tiny bit biased - but OG has 3 danish players, so I have to go with them! 
OG is the lowest ranked team at the Stage, but I think they could surprise. I am very fond of how Chr1zN is leading his troops, and I know he's a very hard-working IGL. A very big prospect in Denmark wearing the IGL-goggles.
The recent addition of nicoodoz has to show at this Major. He's probably their take on a 'starplayer' - a very versatile AWPer, who's not afraid of picking up the rifle duties if needed.
With the underdog-mentality and the mindset of young and hungry players, I see a case where OG can suprise and make it to Stage 2. It will not be easy, but there's a chance. A slim one." - dupreeh

"NRG has to be on my list as well, for a few reason. They're from NA - and with the Major being hosted in NA, that is enough reason to put them here. The desire to make it as far as possibly in your home region will play a huge role in their desire or success.
nitr0, an IGL that dates years back, is in charge of the squad. A very experienced IGL making his return into Counter-Strike, wanting to leave a final impression. Experience means a lot and NRG has plenty. Not only from nitr0, but also from the likes of br0 and oSee.
If they get off to a good start, and build up momentum I believe they can make it into Stage 2. However, as with Complexity, they have a lot of experience - it has to outshine their fear of failure. If fear of failure takes over - it'll be over before it's even started." - dupreeh

"For me, BetBoom has always had some very decent rosters. Great individuals and a great setup to make things work, but something has just been missing over the last year.
Whether it's their lack of trust in the process or internal struggle I don't know, but if there's a time to leave things in the past, it's now.
On paper they have probably one of the strongest rosters at this stage. Their in-game leader in Boombl4 was leading the NAVI era team through countless trophies at the highest level, and the incredibly talented riflers in Ax1Le and Magnojez cannot be overlooked either.
Their recent results also states a team with a certain consistency in making deep runs - however, mainly in online tournaments. If they can things going their way, and avoid whatever demons that may haunt BetBoom, I believe that with their experience and individual prowess, they can make up for the lack of results and actually bring some glory back to their names - maybe mainly their individual names, because it's names we've praised many, many times. BetBoom can suprise - but just as much disappoint in my book." - dupreeh

"It'll be tough. Really tough. Chinggis Warriors are not even the best out of their region, and with the limited access to higher opposition in their region, I simply don't think they have enough to overcome even the 'worse' European or North American rosters at this Stage.
They've recently gotten some LAN experience by playing MESA Nomadic Masters Spring 2025, and a 4th place ranking wasn't too bad after all, but the teams below them was mainly out of their own region, and the ones above from Europe, which doesn't help their case that they would have to beat multiple teams of a greater caliber to advance to the next stage." - dupreeh

"I may be harsh on the Asia-Pacific region on this one, but I have to go on with the Chinese. It seems like there is a constant fight for the throne in the region, and it was hard for me to identify a clear favourite. Not to mention The MongolZ, they're the obvious number one, but barely play regional events anymore. My eye-test has been better watching TYLOO, so Lynn Vision was the one to be singled out.
I am confident that Lynn Vision has a better shot than Chinggis Warriors, but the reason why I have picked them as a team that definitely wont make it to the next stage is quite the same. I don't see them beat multiple teams ranked higher than themselves. I simply don't think they have what it takes yet to make it to the next stage. The Asia-Pacific scene has definitely improved over the years, but I still think there's a long way to go for the region. Prove me wrong, please!" - dupreeh