Tundra Esports move Crystallis and Saksa to inactive roster

Tundra Esports have initiated its off-season roster changes, with Saksa and Crystallis being rendered inactive.

The post-The International (TI) 2025 roster shuffle season has officially begun, and Tundra Esports are among the first organisations to announce significant changes. Both their carry player, Remco “Crystallis” Arets, and position 4 support, Martin “Saksa” Sazdov, have been moved to the inactive roster.

Despite a season filled with consistent and strong performances, Tundra ended the year on a disappointing note, unable to compete at full strength during TI 2025. They finished in 7th–8th place, a respectable result for some, but well below expectations for a team of their caliber-especially after dominating much of the season.

Tundra had secured three major tournament victories this year: FISSURE PLAYGROUND 1 and BLAST Slam II in February as well as BLAST Slam III in May. They also claimed multiple podium finishes, including 2nd place at PGL Wallachia Season 3 and Clavision Masters 2025: Snow-Ruyi, as well as 3rd place at ESL One Raleigh 2025 and PGL Wallachia Season 4. For the majority of the season, Tundra were nestled in the scene's top echelon–until a major setback hit just before TI.

Heading into TI 2025, Tundra faced a critical blow as Matthew “Whitemon” Filemon, their position 5 support, failed to obtain a visa in time for the event in Hamburg, Germany. Forced to use a last-minute substitute, the team struggled to find their rhythm, barely making it through the Group Stage and ultimately falling to underdogs HEROIC in the lower bracket.

Following this disappointing finish, Tundra has begun reshaping its roster for the upcoming season. Saksa, a key member of the team who won TI 2022 with Tundra and spent a long time as a key lane partner to 33, has been moved to inactive status. Meanwhile, Crystallis, who joined the roster in March 2025, will also step down from the active lineup.

It remains unclear whether both players are taking a break or seeking opportunities with new teams. As of now, Tundra’s active Dota 2 roster consists of:

This roster change comes in the wake of another major shakeup in the Dota 2 scene: the retirement of Gaimin Gladiators’ Quinn, who announced his departure from pro play to pursue a career in talent work after nine years of competition.

More roster announcements are expected in the coming days and weeks. A set roster for Tier 1 teams will likely be determined in the near future as most of them gear up for the final major tournament of the year: BLAST Slam IV, taking place in Singapore from 14 October to 9 November.