What does it take to be Karrigan? – Reflecting on the CS2 Shanghai Major 2024

Finn “karrigan” Andersen has done it time and time again, across different iterations and generations of Counter-Strike players. Being an IGL isn’t merely about making smart calls. It is about building a system that thrives on synergy. It’s about ensuring that all of your individuals are in a empowering setting, capable of utilizing their maximum throughput.

His tears after the brutal losses in Shanghai and Katowice reflect how deeply the game resonates with him. Yet in the server, depsite being the oldest, is often the most ignited. It’s an agonizing predicament, but one karrigan has weathered time and time again.

“A man can be defeated but not destroyed”

These words by Techno4k after a heartbreaking end to The MongolZ’s run in Shanghai are also embodied for years by one of Counter-Strike’s enduring greats: Karrigan

What it means to be an IGL

What do you do when your squad refuses to align with your vision, leaving you with the choice of either compromising your beliefs or parting ways? Karrigan stood firm, refusing to abandon his ideals, he was even benched by Astralis in 2016.

Being an IGL isn’t merely about making smart calls. It is about commanding respect and trust in your judgement. You’d think leading a team to six titles, including ELEAGUE CS:GO Premier 2017, ESL One New York 2017, and IEM Sydney 2018, would guarantee that respect. But even after delivering results, he faced the harsh reality of blame after a second-place finish at a Major. The weight of the failure unfairly landed on karrigan’s shoulders, in a game that runs on 5 pairs of legs.

Passion, while admirable, can be a double-edged sword. When the stakes are high, emotions can cloud judgment. As an IGL, you just cannot afford that. You must stay unshaken, not only for your own sake but to hold the team together.

What happened to FaZe Clan in Shanghai?

While the history books will reflect a third loss for karrigan in the Grand Final of a Major, the narrative of how FaZe reached the stage will dust away with time. Well, I aim to change that.

The Shanghai Major was a crucible for karrigan. Without taking much away from the rest of the players, who had their own battles – broky fighting his slump, ropz rekindling his fire, rain tasked to shoulder the burden in a Major again, frozen expected to continue mainstay, karrigan was going through a personal trial. The loss of a big brother that challenged him to transcend all odds and bring home the trophy as a tribute.

Coming into Shanghai, FaZe’s form was a shadow of their former self. Losses to MOUZ, FURIA, Complexity, and others painted a grim picture. Written off by critics, FaZe entered the playoffs as underdogs. But what happened was nothing short of miraculous, even in the eyes of a FaZe fan like me. In both their encounters, against Titans like Vitality and G2, home to two players in the race of #1, karrigan led his team to a smashing victory.

The echoes of Copenhagen resurfaced. Another Cinderella story, another resurgence. To a point that despite being 12-5 down in the grand final, spectators and fans didn’t leave their seats. Because they believed in the greatness of one man, and his ability to inspire greatness around him. Despite falling short with the slimmest of margins, karrigan has once again proven that his story is the story of resurgence.

Karrigan doesn’t break

He’s been fighting a war for as long as his career. In a game where the argument for the title of “GOAT IGL” seems to change hands with every Major winner, karrigan has stayed a household name. That’s why I won’t make such a claim. But as Techno’s words echo in the back of my mind, I can say this – karrigan has endured losses that would shatter most and yet made a comeback.

The 15-11 choke at the Boston Major alone could have ended a career, yet it didn’t stop him. Since 2017, karrigan has finished second at 13 big events. Five of them have been in CS2, including both Majors. From the crushing statistic of 1-15 against NAVI on the third map Inferno, to losing by the narrowest margins against Spirit, karrigan has seen it all. They say coming last stings less than coming second. Yet, if you ask karrigan, he’d disagree.

As we stand on the horizon of the next year, where a new chapter of Counter-Strike will unfold, I am sure karrigan will continue to hop onto stages, with the brightest of smiles. The tales of his losses will be in the past, and the only thing to look forward to will be the future. “There will be more chances”.