Astralis is gearing up for a major transformation in its Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) team as it sets its sights on a new international strategy. The renowned Danish esports organization has revealed plans to shake up its roster, marking the end of an era for some of its key players.
Astralis has announced that it will be making changes to its Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) roster in its efforts to pursue a new ‘international direction’. The team will part ways with Danish stars Nicolai ‘dev1ce’ Reedtz and Emil ‘Magisk’ Reif by the end of the year. Both players have been central figures in Astralis’ success, and the organization will now seek talent from the global pool to fill their shoes.
In a recent blog post, Astralis’ CEO Jonas Gundersen shared that Magisk’s contract concludes on December 31st, 2025, while dev1ce has agreed to transfer in 2026. Gundersen commented on the amicable discussions leading to these departures, highlighting the open dialogue with dev1ce regarding his transition.
Magisk, who joined Astralis on September 1st, 2025, has been an integral part of the team, representing it in numerous Tier-1 tournaments like ESL Pro League Season 22 and PGL Masters Bucharest. Meanwhile, dev1ce’s tenure with Astralis has been illustrious, including a stint from 2016 and a return in 2022, resulting in four Major titles under his belt.
Astralis’ New Horizon
Astralis’ decision to open its recruitment internationally marks a significant shift from its traditional focus on Danish players. This change in strategy comes on the heels of the team’s latest performance at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, where they finished 19th among 32 teams.
Despite consistent participation in top-tier events such as BLAST Bounty and IEM Katowice, Astralis has struggled to secure major victories this year. Highlights of their 2025 campaign include a third-place finish at PGL Cluj-Napoca and a runner-up position at PGL Astana.
As Astralis embarks on this new chapter, the esports community eagerly anticipates how this international approach will reshape the team’s future.