{"id":29612,"date":"2025-09-29T17:04:45","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T17:04:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/?p=29612"},"modified":"2025-09-30T07:07:32","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T07:07:32","slug":"end-of-an-era-faze-bench-rain-after-nearly-a-decade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/news\/cs-2\/end-of-an-era-faze-bench-rain-after-nearly-a-decade\/","title":{"rendered":"End of an Era: FaZe Bench rain After Nearly a Decade"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>FaZe Clan<\/strong> has benched long-time rifler H\u00e5vard <strong>&#8220;rain&#8221; <\/strong>Nygaard, marking the end of one of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.counter-strike.net\/cs2?l=english\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.counter-strike.net\/cs2?l=english\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CS2&#8217;s<\/a> <\/strong>most iconic player\u2013organization partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>FaZe <\/strong>announced today that <strong>rain<\/strong>, their longest-serving member and a cornerstone of the roster since 2016, has been moved to the bench. The decision coincides with the return of Russel <strong>&#8220;Twistzz&#8221; <\/strong>Van Dulken, who re-joins the active lineup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">After 3541 days on our CS roster, we have made the very difficult decision to move rain to the bench.<br><br>H\u00e5vard remains a world class player and his career is far from over. We are so grateful for the memories we made together, and you will always be a legend in our FaZe family \u2764\ufe0f <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/xrgLkiHrp8\">pic.twitter.com\/xrgLkiHrp8<\/a><\/p>&mdash; FaZe Esports (@FaZeEsports) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FaZeEsports\/status\/1972662717711347739?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">September 29, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A Historic Run Comes to a Halt<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/rainmvp-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/rainmvp-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/rainmvp-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/rainmvp-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/rainmvp-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/rainmvp-450x253.jpg 450w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/rainmvp-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/rainmvp.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">rain with MVP Medal at IEM Sydney 2023<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Rain joined <strong>FaZe Clan <\/strong>in <strong>January 2016<\/strong>, when the organization first entered CS:GO by acquiring the <strong>G2 <\/strong>roster. Since then, the Norwegian rifler has become synonymous with <strong>FaZe<\/strong>, competing in nearly every major event and lifting some of the biggest trophies in Counter-Strike history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Across his career with <strong>FaZe<\/strong>, <strong>rain<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Won <strong>19 notable tournaments<\/strong>, including the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/liquipedia.net\/counterstrike\/PGL\/2022\/Antwerp\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/liquipedia.net\/counterstrike\/PGL\/2022\/Antwerp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PGL Antwerp 2022 Major<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Captured an<a href=\"https:\/\/liquipedia.net\/counterstrike\/Intel\/Grand_Slam\/4\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/liquipedia.net\/counterstrike\/Intel\/Grand_Slam\/4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <strong>Intel Grand Slam<\/strong> <\/a>in 2023.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Earned <strong>four MVP medals<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Appeared in the <strong>HLTV Top 20 players<\/strong> ranking three times, most recently in 2022 at #13.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Rain&#8217;s <\/strong>departure from the active roster represents the end of an era not just for <strong>FaZe<\/strong>, but for <strong>Counter-Strike<\/strong> as a whole. Few players have embodied loyalty and longevity in the modern scene the way he has.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What&#8217;s Next for FaZe<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/fazegg-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29615\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/fazegg-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/fazegg-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/fazegg-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/fazegg-1536x768.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/fazegg-150x75.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/fazegg-450x225.jpg 450w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/fazegg-1200x600.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/fazegg.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">CS2 FaZe Clan<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The lineup shakeup paves the way for <strong>Twistzz&#8217;s return<\/strong> after a stint in North America with <strong>Liquid<\/strong>. His arrival sees <strong>Jonathan &#8220;EliGE&#8221; Jablonowski<\/strong> move out of the active squad, while <strong>FaZe <\/strong>also continues with newer addition <strong>jcobbb<\/strong>, signed in August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>FaZe&#8217;s <\/strong>current roster is as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Finn &#8220;karrigan&#8221; Andersen<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>David &#8220;frozen&#8221; \u010cer\u0148ansk\u00fd<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Helvijs &#8220;broky&#8221; Saukants<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Jakub &#8220;jcobbb&#8221; Myrbostad (jcobbb)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Russel &#8220;Twistzz&#8221; Van Dulken<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Filip &#8220;\u2060NEO\u2060&#8221; Kubski<\/strong> (coach)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The team&#8217;s next appearance will be at <strong>ESL Pro League Season 22 Stage 2<\/strong>, kicking off on <strong>October 4<\/strong>. <strong>FaZe <\/strong>will look to break an <strong>18-month trophy drought<\/strong>, with their last title dating back to <strong>IEM Chengdu 2024<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What&#8217;s Next for rain?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/FaZe_rainCS\/status\/1972663072381685907\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite being benched, <strong>rain <\/strong>made it clear he is not hanging up his mouse. In a post on X, the 29-year-old expressed gratitude for his time with <strong>FaZe <\/strong>and the support from fans, while also signaling his openness to new challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m proud of everything I accomplished with <strong>FaZe<\/strong>. This isn&#8217;t the end \u2014 I&#8217;m not retiring. I&#8217;m open to new roles, even as an in-game leader, if the right opportunity comes.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Bigger Picture for FaZe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Goodbye rain\" width=\"788\" height=\"443\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/5kCEwlhxpOo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">FaZe Clan video bid farewell rain<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Rain&#8217;s <\/strong>benching underscores <strong>FaZe&#8217;s <\/strong>desire to reset after a turbulent run of results. Their recent exit at <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/fissure.pro\/events\/fpg2cs\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/fissure.pro\/events\/fpg2cs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FISSURE Playground 2<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 where they finished 9th\u201311th following losses to <strong>Falcons<\/strong>, <strong>TheMongolZ<\/strong>, and <strong>Liquid <\/strong>\u2014 highlighted the struggles of the current iteration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For <strong>FaZe<\/strong>, the return of <strong>Twistzz <\/strong>is a bid to restore consistency and firepower. For <strong>rain<\/strong>, it is a new chapter after nearly a decade as the face of <strong>FaZe Clan<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Either way, this roster move will be remembered as one of the most significant moments in Counter-Strike roster history.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>FaZe Clan has benched long-time rifler H\u00e5vard &#8220;rain&#8221; Nygaard, marking the end of one of CS2&#8217;s most iconic player\u2013organization partnerships. FaZe announced today that rain, their longest-serving member and a cornerstone of the roster since 2016, has been moved to the bench. The decision coincides with the return of Russel &#8220;Twistzz&#8221; Van Dulken, who re-joins<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":75,"featured_media":29613,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[5,11],"class_list":{"0":"post-29612","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cs-2","8":"tag-cs2","9":"tag-cs2-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29612","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/75"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=29612"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29612\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29633,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/29612\/revisions\/29633"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/29613"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=29612"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=29612"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=29612"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}