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Astralis benches DPFire after disappointing Stage 3

Astralis dropped to seventh place in the NAL after two first place finishes in prior stages.

Image: Astralis Rainbow Six

Following a disappointing Stage 3, Astralis have opted to move Matthew "DPFire" Macway to the substitute roster.

The move comes after the team only managed a seventh place finish in the NAL this stage, following first place finishes in Stages 1 and 2. In Stage 1, Astralis had also made it to the grand-final of the Six Charlotte Major but had lost in a closely-fought contest against DarkZero Esports.

The form did not continue past Stage 2 of the NAL, though, even at the Berlin Major. Astralis only managed one win in the group stage, in overtime, and lost four matches in regulation time as well. As a result, they finished at the bottom of Group D and were eliminated in a shocking downturn from their form three months ago.

That drop in form continued in Stage 3, with Astralis unable to even qualify for the Jönköping Major.

DPFire had primarily played Ace in all three NAL stages this year and at the Charlotte Major, though that changed to Dokkaebi for the Berlin Major. On the defense, he was not as fixed onto one operator, stages and Majors played on Castle, Melusi, Jaeger, and Smoke.

Astralis will now be looking to sign a fifth player ahead of the Six Invitational 2023, but will have plenty of time ahead of the start of the world championship event on Feb. 7.

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