TL;DR
- Nivera departs Vitality’s active roster, ending their innovative six-player rotation system
- Valve’s new Major qualification rules penalize substitutions, making six-man rosters less viable
- Vitality achieved significant tournament success with the flexible roster approach
- Multiple top teams expected to follow Vitality’s lead in roster adjustments
- The experiment demonstrated strategic potential despite structural limitations
Team Vitality has made the strategic decision to restructure their competitive lineup, moving Belgian AWPer Nabil “Nivera” Benrlitom to an inactive position. This move signals the organization’s shift away from their groundbreaking six-player roster configuration in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
Nivera originally joined the Vitality organization in October 2020, becoming the team’s pioneering sixth member. His initial deployment focused primarily on Dust II and Inferno maps, with subsequent expansion to include Nuke in his rotation pool. During his active tenure, Vitality secured championship victories at IEM Beijing-Haidan and the BLAST Premier Fall Finals. Although Nivera didn’t capture individual MVP honors, his performance validated the tactical viability of multi-player rotation systems within professional CSGO.
With the recent announcements, the team will not pursue the 6-man roster for now.
I’m learning a lot with @TeamVitality and the players and it’s an incredible experience that I hope to continue one day.
I’m motivated and open to a loan or a transfer.
Please contact @Jerome_Coupez https://t.co/8ff3ZERpE4— Nivera (@Nivera__) March 12, 2021
Valve Corporation’s recent policy adjustments regarding player substitutions during Road to Major tournaments have fundamentally altered the competitive landscape. The six-man roster concept now faces significant structural challenges. Vitality’s official statement addressed this development: “Unfortunately, following the recent announcement, questions arose regarding the 6-man format and we aren’t feeling confident regarding the future of this structure. We are coming back to a 5-man roster for the time being”.
While player substitutions remain technically permissible during Major qualification events, organizations now incur point deductions for each substitution utilized. This regulatory shift has prompted widespread speculation about roster adjustments across all teams experimenting with six-player configurations. Vitality becomes the first elite organization to implement changes, with industry expectations pointing toward similar moves from Natus Vincere and Astralis in the near future.
Nivera’s Professional Journey in Counter-Strike
Nivera’s time with Team Vitality represented his inaugural breakthrough into CSGO’s elite competitive tier. Before joining the French organization, he developed his skills with French squads including Warthox Esport and Team Heretics. Despite currently remaining under contract with Vitality, Nivera has publicly expressed interest in exploring transfer or loan opportunities to continue his competitive career.
For players looking to understand professional roster dynamics, our Class Guide provides valuable insights into strategic role specialization.
Vitality’s 2021 Competitive Lineup
Vitality will debut their revised five-player configuration during ESL Pro League Season 13, where they’ll compete in Group B against formidable opponents including G2 Esports, FaZe Clan, and mousesports.
With Nivera transitioning to inactive status, Vitality’s core roster now consists of:
- Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut – Primary AWPer and star player
- Cédric “RpK” Guypouy – Veteran presence and anchor role
- Kévin “misutaaa” Rabier – Rising talent and support player
- Dan “apEX” Madesclaire – In-game leader and entry fragger
- Richard “shox” Papillon – Experienced rifler and clutch specialist
The elimination of six-man rosters represents a significant shift in competitive CSGO strategy. Teams must now balance player fatigue management with the competitive disadvantage of substitution penalties. This creates new strategic considerations for tournament preparation and player rotation protocols.
Understanding these roster dynamics can enhance your appreciation of professional gameplay. For comprehensive competitive insights, check our Complete Guide to high-level tactical decision-making.
Action Checklist
- Analyze team composition strategies and substitution impact
- Study Valve’s Major qualification rule changes and their competitive effects
- Monitor roster changes across major organizations for industry trends
- Evaluate player transfer markets and loan opportunities
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Nivera steps down from Vitality’s roster Understanding Nivera's departure from Vitality and the impact of Valve's new roster rules on CSGO teams