The Rise of Counter-Strike 2

The highly anticipated release of Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) has taken the esports world by storm. Since its debut in late September, CS2 has quickly replaced CS:GO as the version played in professional tournaments. One of the biggest changes in CS2, the nerf of the AWP (Arctic Warfare Police) sniper rifle, has sparked controversy among players and fans alike. However, one professional player, Monte’s Szymon “kRaSnaL” Mrozek, believes that this change is actually beneficial for the scene.

AWP Nerf in CS2

In CS:GO, if a player took damage while zooming in with the AWP, their aim would remain steady and they could still fire an accurate shot. However, in CS2, if a player shoots an opponent who is using the AWP, their aim becomes inaccurate. Many players initially felt that this was too significant of a nerf to the game’s most powerful weapon. However, kRaSnaL, a rifler, supports the change and believes it gives other players a chance to shine.

“I enjoy the fact the AWP has been nerfed because it was just unfair. AWPers were constantly at the top, and now rifles have a much bigger chance to make a name for themselves, and ropz is a perfect example of that. I think he can easily go for the number one spot,” kRaSnaL said in an interview.

A Shift in the Meta

Throughout the history of CS:GO, snipers have dominated the individual rankings. Players like s1mple, ZywOo, and dev1ce have consistently proven their prowess with the AWP. However, kRaSnaL believes that the AWP nerf in CS2 opens up opportunities for riflers to make their mark. He cites examples such as ropz, an Estonian rifler who has already secured two HLTV MVPs despite CS2 being relatively new.

Calls for Economic Balancing

In addition to the AWP nerf, there have been concerns raised about the economy in CS2. Many players and industry figures have called on Valve, the developer of the Counter-Strike series, to address issues with the economy, particularly on the Counter-Terrorist (CT) side. kRaSnaL shares this sentiment and proposes a change to the loss bonus system.

“If I were to change it, I would delete the $1,400 loss bonus and make the teams start their loss bonuses from $1,900. It would make the gameplay way smoother and easier,” kRaSnaL suggested.

However, he believes that any significant changes to the economy are unlikely to occur until the next Major tournament, scheduled to take place in Copenhagen in March.

The Future of CS2

Despite its young age, CS2 is already making waves in the esports community. With its AWP nerf and potential changes to the economy, the game is shaping up to offer a fresh and dynamic competitive experience. As ESL Challenger Jönköping continues during DreamHack Winter 2023, players and fans eagerly await to see how the meta evolves and who will emerge as the new stars of CS2.