Why the 100 Thieves Roster Is Actually Really Good

When it comes to the new 100 Thieves roster, there’s no shortage of criticism. The team is often accused of lacking immediate potential to win tier-one tournaments and is frequently compared to projects built for fast, short-term results. But if you set aside expectations of instant trophies and look a bit deeper, it becomes clear that this is a very logically constructed roster with a long-term strategy and a clear development philosophy. That is exactly why this lineup is, in fact, genuinely good.

The core strength of 100 Thieves lies in following a proven formula for building a team from the ground up. Two experienced veterans combined with three young players is a classic but still highly effective model. Veterans provide stability, top-level game understanding, and the ability to handle pressure. Young players bring energy, motivation, mechanical skill, and a strong willingness to learn. With proper management, this structure almost always leads to steady progress.

In the case of 100 Thieves, the choice of veterans looks close to ideal. Håvard “rain” Nygaard is a Major MVP with vast experience in elite teams and strong authority within any roster. Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz is a two-time Major MVP and one of the most consistent AWPers in the history of the scene. Both are known for their professional attitude toward practice, analytical mindset, and high-level communication. It is hard to imagine a better foundation for a new project.

Alongside these two experienced players, the team added three young but already well-developed individuals. At just 19 years old, Alex “poiii” Nyholm Sundgren has already shown an impressive level as an entry fragger. He has LAN experience, tournament wins with Alliance, and played a large number of maps at a solid level throughout 2025. His confidence and individual play look unusually mature for his age.

William “sirah” Kjærsgaard is another 19-year-old who has been on the radar for quite some time. He plays in a more controlled and reserved manner than poiii, while maintaining a high individual level. LAN experience, time spent in different lineups, and consistent form make him a very reliable piece for a young roster. His talent has not been in question for several years.

The biggest questions are traditionally directed at André “Ag1l” Gil. He is not Scandinavian, has less experience in international lineups, and adapting to a new culture may take time. However, if we focus purely on gameplay, he was one of the strongest young defensive players at his level in 2025. Despite SAW’s limited team success, his individual performance and positional understanding looked very convincing. For a structured project, this is a valuable asset.

The management behind the scenes also deserves special attention. This roster was not assembled randomly. Graham “messioso” Pitt is a manager with extensive experience in various roles and a deep understanding of how to build teams in the Valve ranking era. He knows the VRS system inside out, understands tournament priorities, and knows how to structure a calendar so that a team grows alongside its ranking.

Strategic direction is overseen by Sean “sgares” Gares, the head of 100 Thieves’ FPS division. He is someone who has spent decades inside esports and does not need explanations of basic processes. His involvement ensures that decisions are made calmly and rationally, with a clear understanding of the scene and its realities.

Leadership is another common concern. rain is trying himself as an in-game leader for the first time, which naturally raises doubts. Context matters here. dev1ce can act as a bridge between the captain and the coach, while the coach is Lukas “gla1ve” Rossander, a player with immense experience and a long shared history with dev1ce. This significantly reduces risks and makes the decision-making process more balanced.

The main challenge for this roster is climbing the Valve ranking from scratch. The team does not have a ready-made core with VRS points, but this is where messioso’s value becomes especially clear. He understands which online tournaments, LAN events, and open qualifiers provide the best return. The example of NiP in 2025 shows that even starting from zero, it is possible to reach a Major within a year if priorities are set correctly. 100 Thieves have all the tools to do the same.

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When compared to projects like BC.Game, which focus on quick results and buying a ready-made core, the difference in philosophy becomes obvious. 100 Thieves are playing the long game. They are not chasing instant success but instead building a foundation designed to work through ranking growth, steady development, and gradual improvement.

Expectations for this roster are realistic and optimistic. Yes, there are still questions: rain’s debut as a captain, dev1ce’s form in 2025, gla1ve’s first coaching experience, and how quickly the young players adapt to a new environment. But these risks are clearly understood and are balanced out by structure, experience, and competent management.

Even now, it’s fair to say that 100 Thieves have done an excellent job. This roster is logical, balanced, and built on a proven formula. If given enough time, the team is more than capable of not only meeting expectations but also pleasantly surprising the scene.