Why look beyond s1mple (Oleksandr Kostyliev)

Oleksandr 's1mple' Kostyliev has established himself as a prominent figure in Counter-Strike, earning two HLTV Player of the Year awards in 2018 and 2021, and contributing to Natus Vincere's victory at the PGL Major Stockholm 2021 [HLTV]. His individual skill, particularly with the AWP, and his capacity for clutch plays have been central to his team's success [Liquipedia Counter-Strike]. However, s1mple has been inactive from Natus Vincere's active roster since October 2023, though he remains contracted to the organization [HLTV]. This period of inactivity, coupled with the evolving landscape of competitive Counter-Strike 2, prompts an examination of other top-tier players who demonstrate comparable individual impact, consistent performance, and leadership qualities within the CS2 scene. Evaluating alternatives allows for a broader understanding of dominant players currently active in major tournaments and offers insights into different playstyles and team dynamics that achieve similar levels of competitive success.

Top alternatives ranked

  1. 1. ZywOo (Mathieu Herbaut) — A consistent, high-impact AWPer with exceptional clutch potential

    Mathieu 'ZywOo' Herbaut is a French professional Counter-Strike 2 player currently active with Team Vitality. He is widely regarded for his consistent top-tier performance, often considered a primary contender for the best player in the world alongside s1mple. ZywOo excels as an AWPer and rifler, known for his ability to secure critical kills, clutches, and maintain a high impact round-to-round [HLTV]. His playstyle is characterized by a blend of aggressive plays and calculated positioning, making him a formidable opponent in any scenario. ZywOo has been recognized as the HLTV Player of the Year multiple times, in 2019, 2020, and 2023 [HLTV]. His career highlights include winning significant events such as the IEM Rio Major 2022 and the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023 with Team Vitality [Team Vitality].

  2. 2. donk (Danil Kryshkovets) — A rising star known for aggressive entry fragging and mechanical prowess

    Danil 'donk' Kryshkovets is a Russian professional Counter-Strike 2 player for Team Spirit, notable for his rapid ascent in the competitive scene. Born in 2007, donk quickly gained recognition for his exceptional mechanical skill and highly aggressive entry-fragging playstyle [HLTV]. He has demonstrated an ability to consistently win opening duels and create significant advantages for his team early in rounds. donk's breakout performance at IEM Katowice 2024, where he was named MVP, solidified his status as a formidable talent and the youngest player to win an S-tier CS2 event [HLTV]. His raw skill and high-impact plays make him a compelling alternative for those seeking a player with dominant individual performance and significant carry potential, akin to s1mple's early career.

  3. 3. Faker (Lee Sang-hyeok) — A legendary player in a different esport, embodying unparalleled dominance and longevity

    Lee Sang-hyeok, known as 'Faker', is a South Korean professional League of Legends player for T1. While he competes in a different game, Faker represents the pinnacle of individual dominance and sustained excellence in esports, analogous to s1mple's status in Counter-Strike. Faker is widely considered the greatest League of Legends player of all time, primarily playing the Mid Lane role [Liquipedia League of Legends]. His career is marked by an unprecedented number of League of Legends World Championship titles, securing victories in 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2023 [LoL Esports]. Faker's impact extends beyond mechanics; he is renowned for his game sense, leadership, and ability to perform under pressure. For those interested in players who transcend their game to become global esports icons, Faker offers a parallel in terms of legacy and influence.

  4. 4. Natus Vincere (NAVI) — The organization s1mple propelled to Major victory, now adapting to CS2 without him

    Natus Vincere (NAVI) is a prominent Ukrainian esports organization with successful teams across multiple titles, including CS2, Valorant, and Dota 2. While s1mple was a foundational player for their Counter-Strike division, leading them to victory at the PGL Major Stockholm 2021 and numerous other S-tier events [HLTV], the organization continues to compete at the highest level. NAVI represents a structure that fosters top-tier talent and maintains competitive relevance even after significant roster changes. Their current CS2 roster is actively competing in major tournaments, showcasing how a top organization adapts and rebuilds in the absence of a superstar player, aiming to replicate past successes with new talent [NAVI]. For those interested in the impact of organizational stability and talent development in esports, NAVI provides a relevant case study.

  5. 5. PGL Major 2026 — The premier tournament series where new legends are forged

    The PGL Major series represents the pinnacle of competitive Counter-Strike 2, serving as the game's official World Championship. These tournaments are organized by PGL and sanctioned by Valve, drawing the best teams globally to compete for significant prize pools and the coveted Major title [PGL Esports]. The Major format, typically involving a Swiss group stage followed by single-elimination playoffs, is designed to test teams' consistency and clutch performance under immense pressure [HLTV]. For those tracking the evolution of top-tier Counter-Strike talent and performances, the PGL Major is the definitive stage. It is where players like s1mple have cemented their legacies, and where new stars like donk emerge. Focusing on the Major allows for an analysis of the highest level of team play and individual dominance in the current landscape of CS2.

Side-by-side

Feature s1mple (Oleksandr Kostyliev) ZywOo (Mathieu Herbaut) donk (Danil Kryshkovets) Faker (Lee Sang-hyeok) Natus Vincere (NAVI) PGL Major 2026
Entity Type Player Player Player Player Team Tournament
Primary Game CS2 CS2 CS2 League of Legends CS2, Valorant, Dota 2 CS2
In-Game Role / Focus AWPer / Rifler AWPer / Rifler Entry Fragger / Rifler Mid Laner Organizational performance Premier competitive event
Key Trait / Strength Exceptional mechanical skill, aggressive AWPing, clutch factor Consistent top-tier performance, AWP highlights, clutch plays Exceptional mechanical skill, aggressive entry fragging, young talent Unparalleled dominance, multi-championship legacy, strategic mind Organizational stability, talent development, consistent competitive presence Definitive stage for new legends, highest level of competition
HLTV Player of the Year Titles 2018, 2021 2019, 2020, 2023 N/A (rising star) N/A (LoL player) N/A (Team award) N/A (Tournament)
Major / World Championship Wins PGL Major Stockholm 2021 IEM Rio Major 2022, BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023 IEM Katowice 2024 (S-tier) LoL Worlds 2013, 2015, 2016, 2023 PGL Major Stockholm 2021 (CS2) Awarded to winning team
Current Status Inactive (contracted) Active Active Active Active Upcoming

How to pick

Selecting an alternative to s1mple depends on what specific aspects of his career or playstyle are most relevant to your analysis. Consider these factors when making your choice:

  • If you prioritize individual mechanical skill and AWPing dominance: Focus on players who consistently demonstrate high-level aim, aggressive AWPing, and clutch potential. ZywOo is the most direct parallel, known for his consistent high-impact performances and ability to carry teams with his individual skill. donk also fits this category, particularly if you are interested in a younger player with explosive entry-fragging capabilities and a high impact on rounds.
  • If you are interested in sustained excellence and a multi-championship legacy: While in a different game, Faker embodies the concept of a generational talent who has maintained dominance over a long career, securing multiple World Championships. His impact on League of Legends is comparable to s1mple's in Counter-Strike, offering insights into longevity and iconic status.
  • If you want to understand how top organizations adapt to roster changes: Natus Vincere (NAVI) provides a relevant perspective. As s1mple's former team, NAVI's ongoing performance in CS2 demonstrates how a premier esports organization navigates the competitive landscape and develops new talent in the absence of a superstar player. This is useful for studying team dynamics and organizational resilience.
  • If your focus is on the highest level of competitive Counter-Strike 2: The PGL Major series serves as the definitive benchmark for team and individual performance in CS2. Analyzing the Major itself, rather than a specific player, allows for a broader understanding of the competitive ecosystem, the emergence of new talent, and the strategies employed by championship-winning teams. This is ideal for tracking the evolution of the game at its pinnacle.
  • Consider the player's current activity: s1mple is currently inactive from competitive play. If active, current-form analysis is crucial, focus on players like ZywOo and donk who are consistently competing and performing at the highest level in CS2.
  • Game specificity: If your analysis is strictly within Counter-Strike 2, then players like ZywOo and donk are the most appropriate comparisons. If you are looking for broader esports parallels in terms of legendary status and impact, Faker offers a strong case, despite competing in League of Legends.