Cloud9 is back in Apex Legends with a brand new roster, comprised of Zach Mazer, Logan “Knoqd” Layou, and Paris “StayNaughty” Gouzoulis. The fresh squad will compete in the 2021 Global Series Championship this June.
Season 9 isn't the only thing dropping this week 😏
We are excited to announce our return to the @PlayApex Competitive Scene! Please give a warm welcome to @Knoqd, @StayNaughtyy, and @ZachMazer4 to #C9APEX! #C9WIN pic.twitter.com/DnjqyVsEcm
— Cloud9 (@Cloud9) May 3, 2021
Cloud9 first signed an Apex team in March of 2019, only to release all members almost half a year later. Throughout the now-disbanded team’s performance in the battle royale, they never placed higher than fifth in any event. Overall, they were only able to earn $1,200 for the org. Unlike the current team, the original was comprised partly of C9’s former PUBG competitors.
This current group will likely use an in-game trio of Gibraltar, Bloodhound, and Wraith, though StayNaughty has implied an interest in picking up Season 9’s new legend Valkyrie.
I most likely will be hanging up the axe and maining Valkyrie in comp/ranked. LIKE THIS IF YOURE GOING TO PLAY VALK AT ALL 🙂 tryna see sumn
— Naughty (@StayNaughtyy) May 3, 2021
Of the three players, Mazer has had the most org experience; he most recently competed for SolaFide, whose owner was infamously banned by Riot after failing to pay its League players.
Cloud9’s new Apex team will be joining other big-name orgs like NRG, Team SoloMid, Team Liquid, and Counter Logic Gaming on the competitive scene, specifically in the 2021 ALGS Championship. One member of the disbanded 2019 team, Frexs, will be competing with Spacestation Gaming. If the reinvented C9 squad can place top 20, they will already have exceeded the prize income of their predecessors.
