Best CS2 Pick’Ems For The StarLadder Budapest Major 2025
The StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is on the horizon, and the community is already gearing up for one of the most important parts of any Counter Strike 2 Major. The new CS2 Pick’Ems are live, and it is time to map out a plan that can actually boost your chances of securing that Diamond coin. With the right picks and a bit of luck, this year’s Major might be where your Pick’Ems finally reach the rank you have been aiming for.
Every Major comes with familiar questions. Will Vitality pull off another deep run. Will a dark horse disrupt the usual favorites. More importantly, which teams offer the safest path for boosting your Pick’Ems through every stage of the event. To help navigate the chaos, this guide lays out a grounded and realistic look at Stage 1 and what to expect as the tournament progresses.
Stage 1 Pick’Ems for the Budapest Major
Valve has unlocked the first Pick’Ems section of the event, which means only Stage 1 is available for predictions right now. Stages 2 and 3, along with the Playoffs, will open later as the tournament results come in. To survive the early round and keep your Diamond coin hopes intact, you need at least five correct predictions out of the ten available slots. This makes the opening stage less about flashy guesses and more about avoiding major risks.
Here are our Pick'Ems for the CS2 2025 Budapest Major Stage 1 phase:

Looking at the current field, two teams stand out as likely 0:3 candidates. Rare Atom and The Huns have struggled to keep up with higher tier competition in recent months, and their potential matchups do not inspire much confidence. It is unlikely they face each other and even less likely that either of them secures a surprise win. For players who want to boost their chances of a clean start, placing both as 0:3 picks is a practical play.
On the opposite end, Legacy and FaZe Clan shape up as strong 3:0 options. Legacy have momentum heading into the Major and FaZe still carry enough individual firepower to overwhelm weaker Stage 1 opponents. Even if FaZe have been inconsistent, it would still be surprising to see them fall into real trouble this early in the event. Both teams offer a solid opportunity to lift your Pick’Ems rank before moving into the tougher stages of the Major.
The remaining safe selections for Stage 1 include B8, GamerLegion, PARIVISION, NIP, Imperial, and Fnatic. These teams may not all make deep playoff runs, but they are reliable enough to pick up the one or two wins needed to secure progress out of the opening stage. The goal here is stability. You are not trying to predict a miracle run. You are boosting your odds of hitting the five correct picks required to stay alive in the Diamond coin race.
When Will The Next Pick’Ems Stages Unlock
After each stage of the StarLadder Budapest Major concludes, Valve usually takes a short window to verify the match results and update the in-game Pick’Ems. The next portion of the Pick’Ems should unlock a few hours after the final match of each stage finishes. This gives players time to assess new matchups, review team form, and adjust predictions without rushing.
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It is important to lock in your selections every single time before closing the interface. Many players make their choices but forget to confirm them, and missing out on a Diamond coin because of an unlocked Pick’Em is one of the most frustrating mistakes in Counter Strike 2. Treat every stage with the same care you gave the first. Review your picks, check the confirmation prompt, and ensure everything is locked before moving on. |
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As the Budapest Major continues, this guide will serve as a steady resource for the best CS2 Pick’Ems across all stages. Competitive Counter Strike 2 always brings surprises, yet a grounded prediction strategy can improve your consistency and keep your rank intact. Stay updated, stay realistic, and keep your eye on the Diamond coin.

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