FlyQuest has announced a major roster change, confirming that in-game leader Christopher “dexter” Nong has been removed from the starting lineup and placed on the bench. The decision marks a significant shift in direction for the team, as they look to revamp their approach following a disappointing start to the year.

This change comes shortly after FlyQuest was eliminated from ESL Pro League Season 21 in the first stage. Their exit was particularly painful, as they fell to regional rivals TYLOO in the crucial 2-2 decider match. The rough beginning to 2025 has been a continuation of struggles that have plagued the roster in recent months. At PGL Cluj-Napoca, they were eliminated without securing a single win, finishing with a dismal 0-3 record. Their IEM Katowice campaign was equally unremarkable, as they suffered back-to-back losses in the play-in stage. At BLAST Bounty, they managed to defeat MIBR but were ultimately knocked out by Spirit, who went on to win the tournament, leaving FlyQuest in 13-16th place.

Dexter’s tenure with FlyQuest began at the start of 2024 when he returned to the Australian organization after spending three years competing in Europe with MOUZ and fnatic. However, his return failed to deliver consistent results in major competitions. The team struggled to progress beyond play-in rounds or group stages, except for one notable exception—ESL Pro League Season 19—where they made it to the second round of the playoffs, finishing in 9-12th place.

One of the most frustrating missed opportunities under dexter’s leadership came at the Perfect World Major in Shanghai. FlyQuest had positioned themselves well to advance past the Challenger Stage with a promising 2-0 start, only to collapse in the best-of-three matches and suffer a reverse sweep, ultimately failing to progress further in the tournament.

Despite these setbacks, there was at least one highlight during dexter’s time with the team. FlyQuest claimed victory at ESL Challenger Atlanta, a smaller but competitive event. The squad secured the trophy by defeating teams such as BetBoom, SAW, Wildcard, and BIG, showcasing their potential when in top form.

FlyQuest’s most recent roster shakeup before this involved a move to Europe in search of fresh talent. At the end of 2024, they replaced their AWPer, Alistair “aliStair” Johnston, with Romanian player Iulian “regali” Harjău, signaling a shift in strategy. Now, with dexter’s benching, further changes could be on the horizon as the team seeks to reestablish itself as a more competitive force in the international scene.

With this move, FlyQuest’s active lineup currently consists of:

  • Jay “Liazz” Tregillgas (Australia)
  • Joshua “INS” Potter (Australia)
  • Declan “Vexite” Portelli (Australia)
  • Iulian “regali” Harjău (Romania)