Tier-2 Rostermania: HEROIC, Luminosity & SAW Are Rebuilding While the Top Stands Still
While the biggest names in CS2 are largely sticking with their established lineups, the second tier of the European scene has entered a full-blown rostermania. In the summer of 2026, HEROIC added Brollan and MartinezSa, Luminosity returned to Counter-Strike with a core of former Monte players, SAW almost completely rebuilt their Portuguese project, and Gizmy earned a chance to prove himself with 100 Thieves.
These are exactly the kinds of roster moves that can lead to an unexpected breakthrough. One month, a team is sitting outside the elite. A few months later, it can be fighting the favorites at the biggest tournaments.
Let’s take a closer look at who made the biggest upgrades and which of these new rosters could make a serious run toward the Singapore Major.
"1. Tier-2 Rostermania: HEROIC, Luminosity & SAW Are Rebuilding While the Top Stands Still","1.1. HEROIC: Brollan and MartinezSa Join the New Project","1.2. Luminosity Are Back And Already Making Changes","1.3. SAW Are Rebuilding Their Portuguese Core","1.4. Gizmy Gets the Keys to 100 Thieves","1.5. Why Tier-2 Is Driving the Transfer Market"
HEROIC: Brollan and MartinezSa Join the New Project
HEROIC completed one of the most notable rebuilds of the summer.
On July 7, the organization signed two experienced players. Ludvig “Brollan” Brolin joined from MOUZ, while Antonio “MartinezSa” Martinez arrived after playing for Gentle Mates. At the same time, Joonas “doto” Forss took over as head coach.
HEROIC’s current lineup:
Linus “nilo” Bergman
Christoffer “Chr1zN” Storgaard
Tim “susp” Ångström
Antonio “MartinezSa” Martinez
Ludvig “Brollan” Brolin
The main question is how well HEROIC can balance their young core with players who already have significant experience at the highest level. Brollan has spent years competing against elite opposition and should bring additional firepower and experience, while MartinezSa fills the team’s primary AWP role.
HEROIC are not starting completely from scratch either. In the Valve Regional Standings published on August 10, the team occupied 26th place in Europe – close enough for a few strong tournament runs to make a significant difference.
For Brollan, the move also offers an opportunity to become one of the central pieces of a team again rather than simply another part of an established system. If HEROIC can build a stable structure around him and MartinezSa, this roster could become one of the most dangerous projects outside the current elite.
Luminosity Are Back And Already Making Changes
The return of Luminosity Gaming to Counter-Strike became one of the most nostalgic storylines of 2026.
On July 1, the organization officially announced its return to the game. Four former Monte players formed the core of the new project: Aleks “Rainwaker” Petrov, Aurimas “Bymas” Pipiras, Aurélien “afro” Drapier, and Oscar “AZUWU” Bell. Brazilian IGL Lucas “lux” Meneghini completed the initial lineup.
The decision made sense. The Monte core had reached Stage 3 of the Cologne Major 2026, meaning Luminosity were not simply signing a collection of free agents – they were acquiring an established foundation with existing chemistry and valuable ranking points.
However, the first version of the new Luminosity lineup did not last long.
On August 24, Bymas was moved to the bench. Just one day later, Luminosity brought in Simon “yxngstxr” Boije from HEROIC. Former Monte coach Alexander “kakafu” Szymanczyk also joined the organization.
As a result, Luminosity’s return quickly evolved from a nostalgic comeback story into a genuine competitive experiment.
That is exactly what makes LG so interesting. The organization has shown that it is willing to adjust the roster almost immediately rather than waiting months for results. If yxngstxr can quickly integrate into the system and Rainwaker, afro, and AZUWU retain the chemistry they developed with Monte, Luminosity have enough potential to establish themselves well above the traditional tier-2 level.
SAW Are Rebuilding Their Portuguese Core
SAW have gone through an even more dramatic rebuild.
On July 3, the organization unveiled a new five-man lineup featuring several players already familiar to the Portuguese scene.
The current SAW roster:
Christopher “MUTiRiS” Fernandes
Filipe “NOPEEj” Dias
João “story” Vieira
Michel “ewjerkz” Pinto
Adones “krazy” Nobre
Four of the five players already have history with SAW. MUTiRiS and krazy returned after spending time with BC.Game, story came back following his stint with FlyQuest, while ewjerkz returned after playing for Ninjas in Pyjamas. NOPEEj is the only player in the lineup who had not previously represented the organization.
The result looks like a deliberate attempt to restore the Portuguese synergy that helped define some of SAW’s best periods.
The return of a familiar core is particularly interesting considering what the organization has already achieved with Portuguese lineups. SAW have previously shown that a nationally focused roster can compete far above expectations – most notably with their semifinal appearance at IEM Cologne 2024.
The question now is whether they can produce another run in a very different competitive environment.
There is still plenty of work to do, but SAW have something many international tier-2 mixes lack: a shared language, familiar roles, and several players who already understand the organization’s culture.
Gizmy Gets the Keys to 100 Thieves
The breakup of the previous Monte lineup did not benefit Luminosity alone.
Jack “Gizmy” von Spreckelsen officially joined 100 Thieves on July 1, replacing the benched Ag1l. More importantly, the British player was handed one of the most important responsibilities on the team – becoming the new IGL instead of rain.
The current 100 Thieves lineup:
Håvard “rain” Nygaard
Alex “poiii” Sundgren
William “sirah” Kjærsgaard
Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz
Jack “Gizmy” von Spreckelsen
The team is coached by Lukas “gla1ve” Rossander.
On paper, this might be the most unusual project of the entire group. The roster combines the enormous experience of rain and dev1ce with younger talent and a 22-year-old Gizmy now responsible for leading the entire system.
That makes this transfer potentially career-defining for the British player. Performing well individually for Monte is one thing. Calling for a team featuring veterans such as dev1ce and rain is an entirely different level of responsibility.
At the same time, 100 Thieves have already shown signs of potential. In the August VRS, the team sat 30th in Europe, while their summer campaign also included a successful run through the Esports World Cup 2026 LCQ.
If Gizmy can handle the leadership role, 100 Thieves could quickly stop looking like an experimental roster.
Off-Season Report Card: Grading Every Big CS2 Roster Move
Why Tier-2 Is Driving the Transfer Market
The biggest difference between the current rostermania and a traditional off-season shuffle is the relative stability at the top.
When leading teams avoid triggering a chain reaction of blockbuster transfers, much of the movement shifts one level below. Organizations such as HEROIC, Luminosity, and SAW get the opportunity to sign players with experience at major LAN events while also taking chances on younger talent.
The logic is equally clear from the players’ perspective.
Brollan gets more room to become a central figure at HEROIC. MartinezSa receives a permanent AWP role. yxngstxr gets a fresh start after HEROIC. Gizmy gets the chance to lead a lineup featuring two legendary veterans. SAW’s returning players get another opportunity to build a competitive Portuguese core.
On paper, none of these projects should immediately be placed alongside the biggest favorites of the season. But that is exactly why they are worth watching.
The next surprise team to reach the playoffs of a major international event could already be hiding among these new lineups.
Tier-2 does not always stay tier-2 for long. One successful rebuild, a strong run through the qualifiers, and a breakout LAN performance can completely change a team’s status.
And the race is already underway.