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Astralis has confirmed the return of Emil “Magisk” Reif to its Counter-Strike 2 roster, with Martin “stavn” Lund stepping back due to personal circumstances. The move not only brings back a familiar face but also marks a major roster shift for both Astralis and Falcons.

Stavn Takes a Break

On social media, stavn shared that he needs time away from the server to prioritise his health. “Health comes first, and this is a decision I need to make,” he posted. Astralis responded with full support, stating they look forward to seeing him back when he’s ready to compete again.

Since joining in late 2023 alongside jabbi in a high-profile transfer from Heroic, stavn has struggled to live up to expectations. Despite being a four-time HLTV Top 20 player, his rating dipped to 1.06 and he often went missing in key playoff matches. Under Rasmus “HooXi” Nielsen’s leadership, roles were reshuffled, and stavn’s impact was reduced. With recent poor finishes at IEM Cologne and the Esports World Cup, his step back comes at a time when Astralis is searching for stability.

Falcons Say Goodbye to Magisk

The change also closes a chapter for Falcons, who officially released Magisk from his contract. The Danish rifler had joined the Saudi organisation in late 2023 during a major rebuild that also brought in Snappi, Maden, and SunPayus. Later, the team added NiKo, TeSeS, and m0NESY, turning Falcons into one of the most star-studded lineups in Counter-Strike.

Magisk played a key role in helping Falcons lift their first trophy at PGL Bucharest and make deep runs at IEM Melbourne and BLAST Rivals Spring. However, with the signing of 17-year-old prodigy kyousuke, the organisation opted to bench Magisk in June. Falcons paid tribute to him on social media, calling him a legend and thanking him for a legacy that included four Major titles.

Magisk Back in Red

For Magisk, the move back to Astralis is a return to familiar ground. Between 2018 and 2021, he was part of the Astralis dynasty that dominated Counter-Strike, winning three Major titles and several other trophies. “It’ll be fun to pull the jersey with the star over my head again and I’m extremely motivated to contribute to the team together with the guys,” Magisk said after the announcement. He also wished stavn well, saying he hopes his teammate gets the time he needs.

His last outing for Falcons came at the BLAST.tv Austin Major, where the team crashed out in the second stage. Now, Astralis fans will see him back in action at FISSURE Playground 2 in Serbia from September 12 to 21. Ranked 9th in the Valve Regional Standings, Astralis need a strong showing to secure their spot among the top 32.

Magisk returns to Astralis after leaving Falcons

Image Credit: brcho_ and HLTV.org

Astralis’ Next Chapter

This roster change comes at a complicated time for Astralis. Reports earlier this year suggested the organisation was exploring a sale, with financial statements confirming ongoing struggles. Despite heavy investment, missing five consecutive Majors had left Astralis in a tough position.

However, things have improved somewhat under HooXi, with second-place finishes at PGL Astana and FISSURE Playground 1 boosting their Major qualification chances. Bringing Magisk back could be the spark Astralis need to find consistency.

Astralis’ current roster:

  • Nicolai “device” Reedtz
  • Victor “Staehr” Staehr
  • Jakob “jabbi” Nygaard
  • Rasmus “HooXi” Nielsen
  • Emil “Magisk” Reif
  • Casper “ruggah” Due (coach)

Benched: Martin “stavn” Lund, Casper “cadiaN” Møller

With stavn on the sidelines and Magisk returning after leaving Falcons, Astralis now face another turning point. Fans will be eager to see whether this reunion can bring the Danish powerhouse back to winning ways.