- Magisk Reportedly Leaving Astralis: What We Know So Far
- Astralis’ Budapest Major Run and Why Change Was Inevitable
- dev1ce to 100 Thieves: End of an Era for Astralis?
- What’s Next for Magisk in CS2?
- stavn’s Situation: Why a Return Seems Unlikely
- Projected Astralis Core and Possible Rebuild Paths
- What This Means for Danish Counter-Strike
- Racing the Clock: Astralis and BLAST Bounty 2026
- CS2 Skins, Trading and Supporting Your Favorite Teams
- Conclusion: Key Storylines to Watch in 2026
Magisk Reportedly Leaving Astralis: What We Know So Far
One of Denmark’s most decorated riflers, Emil “Magisk” Reif, is reportedly on his way out of Astralis again. According to multiple independent reports from the Danish CS2 scene, the four-time Major winner will not continue with the team going into 2026.
The situation around Astralis is more complex than a simple one-for-one roster swap. Alongside Magisk’s rumored departure, Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz is heavily linked with a move to 100 Thieves, and Martin “stavn” Lund is still unlikely to return to the active lineup in the near future.
If all of these moves are confirmed, Astralis could be reduced to a three-player core plus their coach, forcing a mini-rebuild in the offseason. For fans of Danish Counter-Strike, this might signal the end of yet another chapter in the Astralis saga and the beginning of something completely new.
Before diving into the potential roster, future moves, and broader implications, it’s important to understand what triggered this shake-up in the first place.
Astralis’ Budapest Major Run and Why Change Was Inevitable
Astralis’ current turbulence didn’t come out of nowhere. Their performance at the StarLadder Budapest Major exposed underlying issues that couldn’t be ignored any longer.
Budapest Major Performance: 2‑3 and Out
With Magisk on board and a roster that, on paper, had enough experience and firepower to challenge anyone, expectations were decent heading into Budapest. Instead, Astralis exited the event with a 2‑3 record in Stage 2, never really looking like a serious contender for the trophy.
This result was particularly frustrating because it came despite the presence of proven big-match performers and Major champions. When a lineup combining Magisk and dev1ce still can’t break through, it usually points to deeper structural issues rather than individual underperformance alone.
Role Overlap and Team Identity Issues
Having veterans is great, but only if the roles and team identity are clearly defined. Astralis have spent a long time trying to find the right balance between experienced stars and new blood. That journey has been rocky:
- Shifting roles to make room for incoming players.
- Constant adaptation to the evolving meta in CS2.
- Pressure from the fanbase to recreate the glory days of the original Astralis era.
The result? A team that often looked stuck between the past and the future, never fully committing to either a long-term development strategy or a pure “win-now” approach.
Why a Roster Restructure Was Inevitable
When you combine a disappointing Major run with the looming possibility of losing your franchise AWPer and your championship-winning rifler, a restructure becomes less of an option and more of a necessity.
From a competitive standpoint, it makes sense for Astralis to:
- Free up budget and roster slots for a younger, more flexible core.
- Reset expectations ahead of 2026 instead of clinging to a fading legacy.
- Build around players who are ready for the CS2 era rather than trying to recreate CS:GO glory.
This context sets the stage for the other major piece of the puzzle: dev1ce’s rumored move to 100 Thieves.
dev1ce to 100 Thieves: End of an Era for Astralis?
Few names are as closely tied to Astralis’ legacy as Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz. That’s why reports of him heading to 100 Thieves have hit the Danish fanbase so hard.
Reuniting With gla1ve at 100 Thieves
Reports indicate that dev1ce is expected to join 100 Thieves, where he would reunite with former Astralis in-game leader Lukas “gla1ve” Rossander, who is now working as the organization’s head coach for Counter-Strike.
From 100 Thieves’ perspective, this is a statement signing:
- They secure one of the most consistent AWPers in CS history.
- They instantly gain brand recognition and fan interest.
- They re-create a proven player-coach pairing that dominated the CS:GO era.
For Astralis, however, it leaves a massive gap that can’t easily be filled, both competitively and culturally.
Astralis Without dev1ce
Losing dev1ce means more than losing a star AWPer. It also means the team loses:
- A stabilizing presence in late-round situations.
- One of the most experienced big-stage performers in the game.
- A familiar face that fans associate with the Astralis brand.
Combined with Magisk’s reported exit, Astralis may finally be closing the book on the last remnants of their historic CS:GO dynasty and fully embracing a new core.
What’s Next for Magisk in CS2?
Magisk is not just any rifler leaving a team. He’s a four-time Major champion with a proven track record on multiple rosters, including Astralis and Vitality. Wherever he goes next, he will immediately elevate that team’s ceiling.
Magisk’s Profile in the CS2 Era
Even as the game transitioned from CS:GO to CS2, Magisk has maintained his reputation as:
- A reliable anchor on CT sides.
- A versatile rifler capable of filling gaps in almost any system.
- A player with deep experience at the highest levels, from Majors to elite tier-1 events.
That kind of profile is rare, and organizations looking to stabilize their lineups or push into genuine title contention will have eyes on him.
Possible Destinations for Magisk
While nothing is confirmed, several types of teams make sense for Magisk:
- International superteams needing a solid, low-ego rifler to glue together star players.
- Ambitious projects from large orgs entering CS2 or retooling their current rosters.
- Regional powerhouses wanting a veteran leader on the server, even if he doesn’t call the shots.
Given his track record, Magisk is unlikely to be teamless for long in 2026. The bigger question is whether he joins a ready-made contender or becomes part of a long-term project.
stavn’s Situation: Why a Return Seems Unlikely
Martin “stavn” Lund was once viewed as a central piece of Astralis’ future. However, in September 2025 he stepped away from the active lineup due to personal circumstances and to prioritize his health.
Health, Mental Wellbeing and Competitive CS2
Modern Counter-Strike is intense: constant travel, practice, qualifiers, big events, and pressure from fans and organizations. Over the past few years, more and more pros have taken breaks for mental or physical health reasons.
In stavn’s case, reports now suggest that his return to the Astralis lineup is “unlikely at this time”. That doesn’t necessarily mean his career is over, but it does make it very unlikely that he will be part of Astralis’ short-term plans.
How stavn’s Absence Affects Astralis
Stavn is a high-impact rifler with strong mechanics and good mid-round decision-making. Without him, Astralis lose:
- A young star with the potential to be a long-term franchise player.
- Additional firepower to complement veterans and role players.
- Flexibility in map pool and role assignments.
This makes the reported reduction to a three-player core even more significant. Astralis now face the challenge of rebuilding without dev1ce, without Magisk and without a clear path to reintegrating stavn.
Projected Astralis Core and Possible Rebuild Paths
So what does the new-look Astralis actually look like on paper if these reports hold up?
Current Projected Core
Based on the latest information, Astralis’ core going into 2026 could be:
- Victor “Staehr” Staehr
- Jakob “jabbi” Nygaard
- Rasmus “HooXi” Nielsen (in-game leader)
- Casper “ruggah” Due (coach)
This would leave Astralis at three active players plus their coach, with at least two roster slots to fill before their next major event.
Strengths of the New Core
Despite the departures, there are some positives:
- Staehr is a talented rifler with room to grow and the mechanics needed for tier-1 CS2.
- jabbi has already shown he can perform on elite lineups and bring impact in big matches.
- HooXi offers structure and leadership, which is crucial in a rebuilding phase.
- ruggah brings coaching experience from previous high-level projects.
This isn’t a “superteam” core, but it is a workable foundation.
Key Roles Astralis Needs to Fill
To realistically compete at the top level, Astralis will likely need to address:
- AWPer: Replacing dev1ce is nearly impossible like-for-like, but they will need a dedicated sniper.
- Additional rifler: Someone who can provide either entry presence or clutch reliability.
- Experience vs. youth balance: Decide whether to lean into development or import another veteran.
Fans should expect Astralis to be active in the offseason market and regional scouting, especially with the first big 2026 event coming up quickly.
What This Means for Danish Counter-Strike
Astralis has been the flagship of Danish Counter-Strike for years. Whenever major changes hit that team, the ripple effect is felt across the entire region.
End of an Era for Danish Domination?
The classic Astralis lineup set the standard for how Counter-Strike should be played, both tactically and professionally. As more of those names leave the Astralis jersey behind, Danish CS2 enters a new phase defined by:
- More fragmented talent spread across different organizations.
- A mix of upcoming players and a handful of remaining veterans.
- Increased competition from international superteams that aren’t built around one nationality.
This doesn’t mean Danish Counter-Strike is doomed. What it does mean is that fans might have to adjust their expectations from “dominating every event” to “competing as underdogs or dark horses” for a while.
Opportunities for New Danish Talent
The upside of big-name departures is that they open doors for younger players. Denmark still has a deep talent pool in regional leagues, academies, and mixed rosters. If Astralis leans into development, we could see:
- Fresh faces promoted from local Danish teams.
- Mixed Scandinavian or European lineups anchored by Danish leadership.
- A new generation of players who grew up watching Astralis and now want to build their own legacy.
If handled correctly, this roster reset could actually help modernize Astralis’ identity and keep Denmark relevant at the top level of CS2.
Racing the Clock: Astralis and BLAST Bounty 2026
The timing of these rumored changes is particularly brutal. The offseason window after the StarLadder Budapest Major is relatively short, and Astralis have to be ready for the BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1, which starts on January 13.
Time Pressure and Team Synergy
In practical terms, this means:
- Finalizing new signings quickly.
- Integrating them into the system under HooXi and ruggah.
- Building at least a basic map pool and playbook before the event begins.
Teams usually need months to develop chemistry, but Astralis may have to do in weeks what others do over an entire season. Early results might be rough, but this is part of the rebuild process.
Short-Term Expectations for Astralis
Realistically, Astralis fans should prepare for:
- Up-and-down form at BLAST Bounty 2026.
- Some experimentation with roles and map picks.
- Potential roster tweaks later in the year if initial signings don’t work as planned.
The key is whether Astralis can communicate a clear long-term vision instead of chasing quick fixes. If they stick to a solid plan, short-term losses can still lead to long-term gains.
CS2 Skins, Trading and Supporting Your Favorite Teams
Major roster changes always bring new hype around stickers, team-branded items and fresh cosmetic collections. If you’re an Astralis fan or just a collector who follows roster news closely, this period can be a great opportunity to update your inventory and express your support in-game.
Why CS2 Skins Matter to Fans
Skins aren’t just about flexing rare items. For many players, they’re a way to:
- Show support for favorite teams and players through stickers and patches.
- Create loadouts that match your identity, whether you’re an AWP demon or a rifling entry.
- Stay engaged with the pro scene by collecting skins that drop around Majors and big events.
With Astralis going through a rebuild, we could see new sticker designs, player signatures on different teams, and changing demand for older collectibles linked to the classic rosters.
Trading CS2 and CSGO Skins Safely
If you’re looking to upgrade or reorganize your inventory around the new competitive era, it’s important to use platforms that focus on security and fair pricing. Reliable marketplaces for cs2 skins and csgo skins can help you:
- Buy and sell items without dealing directly with random trade offers.
- Quickly cash out or re-invest when player moves shake up the market.
- Track price trends on popular rifles, knives, gloves and more.
Following roster news like Magisk’s departure or dev1ce’s move can even give you an edge: items connected to certain players or eras sometimes spike in interest when storylines change.
Building Loadouts Inspired by Astralis and Danish CS
If you’re a fan of Danish Counter-Strike, you can take inspiration from the pros when building your own setup:
- Create an Astralis-themed inventory with red-and-black color schemes and team stickers.
- Build “legacy” loadouts that mix old designs with modern CS2 finishes, honoring both past and present eras.
- Rotate skins and stickers as players move teams, keeping your loadout up-to-date with the competitive landscape.
No matter how the roster shakes out, your in-game look can stay on point if you keep an eye on both the esports scene and the skin market.
Conclusion: Key Storylines to Watch in 2026
The reported departure of Magisk from Astralis, the likely move of dev1ce to 100 Thieves, and the continued absence of stavn mark the beginning of a new, uncertain era for one of Counter-Strike’s most iconic organizations.
Going into 2026, keep an eye on:
- Official confirmation from Astralis about roster changes.
- Which players join the projected core of Staehr, jabbi and HooXi.
- How quickly the new lineup can find synergy before BLAST Bounty 2026.
- Where Magisk lands and whether he joins another potential title contender.
- How Danish CS2 evolves as veteran names spread across different projects.
For fans and players alike, this offseason is more than just a shuffle: it’s a full reset of expectations around Astralis and the Danish scene. Whether you’re watching matches, trading skins, or theorycrafting future lineups, the 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory.
As always, remember that until official announcements are made, all of these moves remain reports and rumors. But with multiple credible sources aligning, it’s time to seriously prepare for a very different-looking Astralis in the next chapter of CS2.
