Rain Joins 100 Thieves: A Legendary Return to Counter-Strike

The Counter-Strike 2 community witnessed a seismic shift in the competitive landscape when 100 Thieves officially welcomed Norwegian professional player Håvard "rain" Nygaard to their roster. This monumental signing marks not only the organization's triumphant return to the Counter-Strike scene after an extended absence but also concludes Rain's remarkable nine-year journey with FaZe Clan, one of the longest player-organization partnerships in esports history.

🎬 The Grand Announcement

The reveal came with characteristic flair through a creative video posted on X (formerly Twitter). The production featured a floating crown gracefully descending onto Rain's head, accompanied by the clever wordplay "HIS REIGN IS HERE," with "reign" dramatically crossed out and replaced with "RAIN IS HERE." This theatrical presentation perfectly captured the magnitude of the signing and the prestige Rain brings to the organization.

The community's response was overwhelmingly positive. Ninjas in Pyjamas paid tribute with a screenshot captioned "The King is back," acknowledging the veteran shooter's legendary status. Jack "Courage" Dunlop from 100 Thieves expressed excitement about seeing Rain compete at international Counter-Strike tournaments, emphasizing the anticipation surrounding his performance with the new squad.

🏆 A Legendary Career Foundation

Rain's professional journey began its ascent in 2015 when he joined Team Kinguin, a groundbreaking multinational roster that challenged traditional regional team compositions. His impact was immediate, helping the squad reach the quarterfinals of ESL One Cologne 2015. Following this success, the entire team transitioned to G2 Esports, where Rain continued to shine, securing another quarterfinal appearance at DreamHack Open Cluj-Napoca 2015. These early performances established him as a rising star and earned him enduring recognition from fans worldwide.

🌟 The FaZe Clan Era: Nearly a Decade of Excellence

Rain's tenure with FaZe Clan represents one of professional esports' most enduring and successful partnerships. Throughout his near-decade with the European organization, he accumulated an impressive trophy cabinet spanning both the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive era and the transition to CS2. His recent tournament victories include:

• 🥇 Champions of Asia 2023 - Demonstrating dominance in the Asian competitive scene

• 🥇 Thunderpick World Championship 2023 - Showcasing elite-level performance

• 🥇 ESL Pro League Season 17 - Proving consistency at premium tier events

• 💰 Intel Grand Slam (March 2023) - Winning the prestigious million-dollar prize requiring exceptional stability across tournament series

• 🏅 PGL Major Antwerp 2022 - Claiming the most coveted prize in professional Counter-Strike

The Major victory at PGL Antwerp 2022 stands as the pinnacle achievement, representing the ultimate goal for any competitive CS player. This triumph solidified Rain's legacy as one of the game's all-time greats.

📊 Recent Performance and Team Dynamics

During 2025, FaZe Clan experienced fluctuating results that painted a picture of both brilliance and inconsistency. The team secured top-four finishes at prestigious events like PGL Bucharest 2025 and ESL Pro League Season 22, demonstrating their capability for high-level strategic play. However, performances at other competitions proved less impressive, including 9th-16th place finishes at the Esports World Cup and early exits from several BLAST Premier qualifying stages. These mixed results ultimately contributed to the roster changes that led to Rain's departure.

🎮 Playing Style and Strategic Value

Throughout his illustrious career, Rain has established himself as a remarkably versatile player capable of adapting to diverse tactical approaches. Within FaZe Clan, he primarily fulfilled entry-fragging and aggressive rifling roles, often being first into contested areas. His ability to read opponent setups and make split-second decisions proves invaluable on maps like Mirage and Inferno, where territorial control and aggressive pushes determine round outcomes.

Rain brings more than individual mechanical skill to 100 Thieves. His extensive major tournament experience and tactical knowledge will prove instrumental in mentoring younger teammates, offering guidance on:

Strategic Element	Rain's Contribution
Positioning	Optimal angles and crossfire setups
Timing	Economy management and execute coordination
Map Control	Territory acquisition and information gathering
Psychological Warfare	Tournament pressure management and clutch scenarios

This veteran leadership will accelerate 100 Thieves' adaptation to top-tier competition and foster cohesive teamwork across Counter-Strike 2's diverse map pool.

🔄 100 Thieves' CS:GO History and Return

The organization previously participated in the Counter-Strike ecosystem during CS:GO's golden age, fielding competitive rosters on two separate occasions. In 2020, 100 Thieves made the strategic decision to exit the discipline, citing competitive environment uncertainty and the absence of a stable franchise model that characterized other esports titles in their portfolio.

This 2026 return, supported by refreshed management and the acquisition of a proven champion like Rain, signals serious competitive ambitions. The organization has not yet disclosed details regarding tournament debut timing or the complete roster composition, maintaining suspense that has the community eagerly awaiting further announcements.

👔 New Management Leadership

Rain's signing coincided with significant appointments to 100 Thieves' FPS division management structure. Sean "Sgares" Gares assumed the role of Head of FPS Disciplines, while Graham "messioso" Pitt became Head of Operations for Counter-Strike 2. Both specialists bring extensive esports experience and deep understanding of competitive gaming ecosystems.

Sgares is renowned for his analytical approach to game theory and proven coaching track record, while Pitt offers organizational expertise garnered across multiple esports structures. Together, they form a leadership duo capable of:

• 🎯 Developing comprehensive tournament preparation strategies

• 🔍 Identifying and recruiting emerging talent

• 📈 Planning long-term competitive roadmaps

• 🤝 Fostering positive team culture and communication

This management foundation positions the project to compete effectively against established competitors despite building from the ground up.

🌍 Partnership with Roobet and European Expansion

Rain's team change aligns with 100 Thieves' strategic multi-year partnership with Roobet, a collaboration that significantly expands the organization's European footprint. The squad will compete under the 100 Thieves Roobet brand, creating opportunities to:

• ✨ Attract European talent more effectively

• 🎪 Participate in regional qualification circuits

• 🚀 Facilitate logistics for EU-based tournaments

• 🌐 Build presence in Counter-Strike's traditional stronghold

This move demonstrates commitment to competing not merely in North American territory but on the global CS2 stage, where European and South American teams have historically dominated. European presence will streamline participation in premier events like BLAST Premier, ESL Pro League, and other key competitive calendar fixtures.

🔮 Future Implications and Expectations

This signing represents a pivotal moment for both parties involved. For Rain, joining 100 Thieves offers an opportunity to demonstrate his enduring relevance and skill despite transitioning from a long-established team environment. He can apply accumulated tactical knowledge and leadership experience in a fresh organizational context, potentially extending his competitive career while mentoring the next generation.

For 100 Thieves, Rain's acquisition serves as the cornerstone for building a tactically sophisticated roster. The Counter-Strike community eagerly anticipates announcements regarding:

• 🎯 Remaining player signings

• 🎓 Coaching staff appointments

• 📅 Tournament debut schedule

• 🗺️ Practice facility and bootcamp locations

💪 Conclusion

100 Thieves clearly demonstrates serious intent to establish themselves as Counter-Strike 2 contenders. Their investment in experienced leadership, strategic partnerships, and proven championship-caliber players like Rain signals a commitment to sustainable competitive success rather than fleeting experimentation.

The official announcement on November 13, 2025, marked Rain's departure after nearly a decade with FaZe Clan, a period that saw him win multiple major tournaments, including the PGL Major Championship, Intel Grand Slam, and consistent appearances on HLTV's annual top player lists. While the complete 100 Thieves roster remains undisclosed, Rain's presence virtually guarantees competitive viability and provides a foundation upon which to build a championship-contending squad.

The coming months will reveal whether this legendary player can replicate his FaZe success in new colors, and whether 100 Thieves can successfully challenge the established European and international Counter-Strike hierarchy. One thing remains certain: with Rain's pedigree and the organization's evident commitment, the competitive CS2 landscape just became significantly more interesting. 🎮👑