Cloud9 Blue drops shinobi from roster after First Strike flop

Cloud9 Blue has made the strategic decision to release their in-game leader Josh “shinobi” Abastado following underwhelming results in the Valorant First Strike North American qualifiers. This move represents a significant roster adjustment for one of the region’s pioneering organizations.

The North American esports powerhouse commemorated their Valorant captain’s tenure through an emotional video montage highlighting his most memorable plays with the squad. shinobi has officially confirmed he’s now exploring new competitive opportunities within the evolving Valorant ecosystem.

It’s a terrible day for rain… ????

Today we part ways with the one who has led #C9BLUE through all the ups and downs from the beginning.

Thank you @shinobi_fps and best of luck! pic.twitter.com/D2r1jvZ5PN

— Cloud9 (@Cloud9) December 11, 2020

Cloud9 Blue established itself as a dominant force in North American Valorant, demonstrated through consistent strong showings across multiple premier tournaments. As one of the first major organizations to field a professional Valorant roster, Cloud9 consistently competed at the highest level against established rivals including Team SoloMid, Sentinels, and 100 Thieves.

However, the team struggled to maintain this competitive edge during critical high-stakes events like First Strike. The roster failed to secure finals qualification in both the UMG and NSG qualifier pathways, ultimately finishing in the 5th-8th placement range in both competitions—results that likely prompted organizational leadership reevaluation.

shinobi transitioned into the IGL role during the second half of 2020, shortly after concluding his Counter-Strike: Global Offensive career. His extensive background in Counter-Strike as an in-game leader, coach, and analyst provided the strategic foundation that elevated Cloud9 Blue into serious championship contention.

His departure concludes his brief but impactful professional partnership with Tyson “TenZ” Ngo. The duo maintained a strong off-server friendship, a dynamic that 100 Thieves’ Joshua “steel” Nissan highlighted during one of his streaming sessions, noting Cloud9 Blue’s exceptional team cohesion.

“The unique aspect of C9 is their genuine friendship dynamics. If they were to move, for instance, shinobi then I suspect TenZ might express disinterest in continuing,” steel observed during his analysis.

This represents Cloud9’s second major roster restructuring initiative recently. The organization previously terminated its Korean division merely four months after formation.

It’s with a heavy heart that we have decided to part ways and dissolve our #C9VALKR roster.@Bazzivlrt, @MUNCHKING_, @OfficialXETA, @Buzz_kr, @KR_Hate, @pavane_90, and @autumnkorea thank you all for your hard work and we wish you all the best moving forward in your careers. ???? pic.twitter.com/Q2LxnBShYi

— Cloud9 (@Cloud9) December 11, 2020

Who is CSGO’s leaf? And will he join Cloud9 Blue?

Cloud9 is expected to announce their new in-game leader and fifth roster member imminently as they prepare for the upcoming JBL Quantum Cup. Multiple reports and a since-deleted stream from Mitch “mitch” Semago indicate Cloud9 intends to sign Chaos Esports Club’s Nathan “leaf” Orf to strengthen their Valorant competitive lineup.

leaf played an instrumental role in Chaos Esports Club’s breakthrough 2020 campaign, contributing to numerous regional league championships and major event victories including the North American qualifiers for IEM XV Beijing and DreamHack Winter tournaments.

During his broadcast, Cloud9’s mitch inadvertently exposed his Discord player interface where leaf’s username appeared prominently. While confirmation remains pending, Chaos Esports’ planned exit from Counter-Strike: Global Offensive later this month suggests impending roster dissolution, potentially facilitating leaf’s transition following the pattern of other CSGO professionals migrating to Valorant.

• Chaos Esports exiting Counter Strike: Global Offensive

• Former CSGO pros are winning most Valorant tournaments

The potential acquisition of leaf represents a calculated strategic move by Cloud9 management. His proven track record in high-pressure CSGO tournaments demonstrates the competitive mentality and strategic thinking required for Valorant success at the elite level.

Professional gamers transitioning between tactical shooters often bring valuable cross-game experience that accelerates team development. The mechanical skills and game sense developed in CSGO frequently translate effectively to Valorant’s competitive environment.

For organizations navigating roster transitions, understanding player synergy and leadership dynamics becomes paramount. Successful teams balance individual skill with cohesive team play, making IGL selections among the most critical decisions facing competitive gaming organizations today.

As the Valorant competitive scene continues evolving, roster flexibility and strategic adaptation will separate top-tier organizations from the competition.

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