Best AWPers In CS:GO History

Starting off the list with the undisputed GOAT.

Many have come and gone, but no sniper has ever matched the skill and lethality of Kenny “kennyS” Schrub at his peak. His name is synonymous with the AWP, as he would save his economy and force buy the AWP whenever possible just to use it. KennyS was so adept with the AWP that the weapon was nerfed because of him. Despite the sniper rifle’s reduced movement speed and accuracy, he continued to dominate his opponents with lightning-fast flick shots and confident plays. He was the epitome of a battle AWPer. While other snipers typically relied on calculated, safe positioning, kennyS would push further up the map than his riflers and still win duels. He redefined what was possible with the AWP and made the AWP | Asiimov skin famous.

His journey began in 2012, transitioning from Counter-Strike: Source to CS:GO with VeryGames. Although initial success was hard to come by, glimpses of his talent were evident. The real breakthrough came in 2014 with Titan. His outstanding performances at numerous international LAN events established him as one of the best players in the world, leading to his prime period with EnVyUs in 2015. At DreamHack Open Cluj-Napoca 2015, the year’s third and final CS Major, EnVyUs won the tournament with kennyS earning the Major MVP award from HLTV. This was the pinnacle of his career, silencing any doubters of his ability. HLTV ranked him the sixth-best player in both 2014 and 2015, and the seventh-best in 2017. Although the latter part of his career was less decorated, he remained one of the biggest threats with the AWP. He retired from competitive play in 2023, leaving behind a legacy as the greatest AWPer in CS:GO history.

One in his name, number one in the game.

When discussing CS, it’s impossible to overlook the greatest player in its history: Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev. Known for being number one both in name and in the game, s1mple is widely recognized as the best Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player ever. His achievements are unparalleled, including 21 MVP awards, a Major championship from the 2021 PGL Stockholm, an Intel Grand Slam victory, and three titles as the world’s best player in 2018, 2021, and 2022.

The year 2018 marked s1mple’s rise to legendary status when he was named HLTV Player of the Year, the first of his three titles. That year, he also earned an unmatched five MVP awards, showcasing his exceptional skill with the AWP and his legendary rifle spray control. In 2021, s1mple and his team NAVI hit their stride, finally securing a Major victory at the PGL Major Stockholm. This win, the first for both s1mple and the organization, earned him the HLTV Major MVP award and silenced critics who doubted his ability to win the biggest titles. This Major, the first post-pandemic and the most-watched, solidified his position among the CS elite. Even though he is currently inactive in the early stages of Counter-Strike 2, s1mple’s legacy as the greatest CS:GO player remains undisputed.

Some of the greatest AWP highlights are courtesy of s1mple, and even by watching a brief clip of him on the AWP make him undeniably one of the greatest to ever wield the Big Green.

Ladislav “GuardiaN” Kovács, hailing from Slovakia, is another name that frequently comes up in discussions about the best AWPers in CS:GO. Known for his calm and calculated playstyle, GuardiaN was a stalwart in the CS scene for many years.

GuardiaN first gained prominence with the team Virtus.pro before making a significant impact with Natus Vincere. His ability to hold down crucial areas of the map with the AWP made him a key player for Na’Vi. GuardiaN’s precision and consistency were instrumental in Na’Vi’s numerous tournament victories, including their win at ESL One New York 2016.

In 2017, GuardiaN joined FaZe Clan, where he continued to demonstrate his AWPing prowess. His performances helped FaZe secure several tournament wins and deep runs in majors. GuardiaN’s calm demeanor under pressure and his ability to deliver in clutch situations have earned him a reputation as one of the most reliable AWPers in CS history.

In many debates, arguably one of the three best to ever wield the AWP.

When you establish yourself as the top player of the best CS team ever, there’s no denying your place in any GOAT conversation of the best in the world. Nicolai “device” Reedtz is a legendary figure in the world of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. His decade-long career showcases his dedication, exceptional skill, and consistent standing as one of the greatest AWP players. Device began his competitive Counter-Strike journey in Counter-Strike: Source, honing his AWPing abilities at a young age. In 2013, he transitioned to CS:GO with teammates Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen and Andreas “Xyp9x” Højsleth, joining Copenhagen Wolves. Their path led them through Dignitas, Team SoloMid, and finally Astralis, where they built an unmatched legacy.

From the start, device stood out as Astralis’ top player. The organization’s breakthrough came at the 2017 ELEAGUE Major Atlanta, where Astralis defeated Virtus.pro in a 2-1 grand final. Astralis and device went on to win three more Major championships, the first season of the $1,000,000 Intel Grand Slam, and numerous international LAN events. Device was named MVP in two of Astralis’ four Major victories and has a total of 19 HLTV MVP awards, a record later surpassed by Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev. Despite this, device remains highly regarded and is still considered one of the best players globally. He was ranked in the top five of HLTV’s year-end rankings for six consecutive years from 2015 to 2020, finishing third four times and reaching second place in 2018. Alongside his Astralis teammates, device has never lost a Major grand final.

Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo, often referred to as “The Professor,” is a Brazilian AWPer known for his leadership and tactical acumen. FalleN’s impact on the CS scene extends beyond his individual skills, as he has been a driving force behind the rise of Brazilian Counter-Strike.

FalleN first made waves with the Brazilian team Luminosity Gaming, leading them to victory at MLG Columbus 2016 and ESL One Cologne 2016. His exceptional AWPing and in-game leadership were crucial in these triumphs. FalleN’s ability to adapt his playstyle to different situations and his knack for making game-changing plays have made him a legendary figure in the CS community.

Following Luminosity, FalleN and his teammates transitioned to SK Gaming, where they continued their dominance, securing multiple tournament wins. FalleN’s strategic mind and his precision with the AWP have left an indelible mark on the game, inspiring a new generation of players.

Jesper “JW” Wecksell, a Swedish AWPer known for his unorthodox and aggressive playstyle, has been a key player for Fnatic during their periods of dominance in CS. JW’s fearless approach with the AWP and his ability to make audacious plays have earned him a reputation as one of the most entertaining and effective AWPers in the game.

JW was a crucial part of Fnatic’s golden era, helping the team secure three Major titles: DreamHack Winter 2013, ESL One Katowice 2015, and ESL One Cologne 2015. His unique playstyle often caught opponents off guard, and his clutch performances were instrumental in many of Fnatic’s victories.

Despite facing ups and downs in his career, JW’s impact on the game and his contributions to Fnatic’s success cannot be overstated. His innovative approach to AWPing has left a lasting legacy and influenced many aspiring AWPers.