With the announcement of organization Ascent adopting a new roster to represent their European team Ascent.EU, there also came the announcement on Twitter of Ascent saying farewell to their North American soldier rando, with focus on work and real life cited as his reason for stepping down.

After several seasons of playing, rando bids adieu to TF2. (picture by Ness "uberchain" Delacroix and Jasmine "Jasbutts" Ho)

Infamous for his shotgun pocket soldier playstyle as well as his DM ability throughout the years, rando has been a core component of Ascent and their roster, which began as Lost in Translation in 2013 with fellow players Ma3laa, alfa, Bdonski, Decimate, and TheFragile. The team was picked up by sponsor Exertus eSports in 2014, before an organization merge with eLevate in 2014 alongside TheFragile stepping down from the medic role.

In 2015, the team first represented Ascent under the organization and coaching of TheFragile. Under the Ascent name, rando and his teammates would fly overseas to compete in Insomnia55, finishing 4th Place at the offline event. The team also finished 1st Place in ESEA Season 20 over Team SoloUber after they shocked the world by sending froyotech out of the race for 1st place in the lower bracket finals. Emerging victorious from their first place victory, the team would later be picked up by RONIN Esports, and afterwards EVL Gaming throughout 2016, before being re-acquired in 2017 as Ascent. Through all of these changes and roster shuffles, rando remained a constant factor and played each season.

Ascent owner and player Ma3laa offered some words to us regarding his fellow soldier’s departure:

Despite saying he might quit every season, I’m glad rando has played with the team for 10 of them. It’s understandable he has to step down now though as his work schedule completely keeps him from practicing or showing up to most scrims at 10 ET, when most teams start. It’s been great playing with him as a soldier duo for so long, and I hope at some point he’ll be able to have the time to play again. randoMouse

Scout yomps also shared his feelings and thoughts on the departure with poignant sincerity:

:(

Continuing on their climb to the top, Ascent’s roster is currently: