Best CS2 AWPers: Top 5 For 2026

AWPers arguably play the most important role on the server in Counter-Strike 2. With the Big Green costing $4,750, the weapon (and subsequently the player) will have the most resources dedicated to it. This comes with the expectation of impact, whether it be with flashy flicks or round-after-round consistency, something on the best CS2 AWPers can deliver. In most teams, the AWPer is expected to top the scoreboard in every match – without them being in form, victory becomes a much more challenging task.

That is why great AWPers are such a valuable commodity in Counter-Strike. Here, we’re going to look at the best CS2 AWPers in 2026, and see why they make such a substantial impact on their teams’ fortunes.

5. torzsi (MOUZ)

There was a point a couple of years ago when it looked like torzsi didn’t have what it takes to make it at the top level of Counter-Strike. MOUZ saw things differently, placing their bets on the long-term development of their AWPer from the NXT academy. This gamble has paid dividends, with torzsi now firmly established among the best AWPers in CS2. He’s got a clutch factor that means you can never rule him out of any round, which is one of the best traits a player can have.

It should be noted, though, that torzsi is a way away from the rest of the players on this list. The drop-off between the very best CS2 AWPers and the rest is extremely stark at the moment, as it’s a position with a dearth of talent. A weaker 2025 isn’t enough to see torzsi fall away from this list.

4. sh1ro (Team Spirit)

I feel a little bit sorry for sh1ro. Despite being one of the best CS2 AWPers by a long margin, he’s always going to be overshadowed by the utter brilliance of donk. That comes with its own perks, with less pressure to carry the entire team on his back. For me, sh1ro’s best trait is his consistency. He’s not flashy, like a player such as m0NESY. He keeps things very simple, and just hits the shots he’s supposed to hit 99% of the time. If there’s one criticism of sh1ro, he needs to stand up and be counted more when the pressure is at its very highest.

Most would agree that sh1ro‘s 2025 wasn’t as trophy-laden as he may have wanted. However, that’s mostly down to the struggles of the Team Spirit system, rather than any major criticism of his own form.

3. molodoy (FURIA)

When molodoy joined FURIA from AMKAL in 2025, few expected him to go on to become such a revelation. 2025’s rookie of the year took to Tier 1 Counter-Strike like a duck to water, vindicating FalleN’s choice to put down the AWP once he had a worthy successor. molodoy plays Counter-Strike with an arrogant swagger, but backs up his flashy plays with absurd consistency. Even with the best CS2 AWPers, style vs. consistency is a delicate balance, but molodoy makes it all look so easy. Whisper it quietly, but he has the essence of prime s1mple about him.

While molodoy was one of the most fun AWPers to watch in CS2 last year, he’ll be hoping that 2026 leads to even more big trophies. Getting the big prizes on the board is the next logical step for his development.

2. m0NESY (Falcons)

A mid-2025 move from G2 to Falcons for m0NESY hardly came as a surprise, with the flicky AWPer linking up with his old friend NiKo once again in pursuit of glory. At this point, m0NESY has an extremely high floor and is easily one of the best CS2 AWPers, but his ceiling hasn’t quite lived up to the promise he showed throughout 2024. Let’s be real – he’s still easily among the best CS2 AWPers right now, and was instantly transformative for Falcons when he joined last year. An extra 10%, and m0NESY will be in competition for the top spot on this list.

The question for m0NESY is whether he has it in him to drive Falcons to trophies in 2026. He hasn’t won one with his new team yet, so that has to be the goal for the immediate future. Never mind individual accolates, of which m0NESY has plenty.

1. ZywOo (Team Vitality)

After 2024 saw ZywOo demoted to 3rd in many fans’ lists of the best CS2 players, he was back with a vengeance in 2025. With Vitality’s sheer dominance across the scene, ZywOo established himself as by far and away the best AWPer in CS2 for 2025, which he’ll be looking to continue for 2026. He is peerless right now, especially with m0NESY not looking up to his usual level at some periods last year. There’s a reason some call ZywOo the Chosen One.

The question right now is not whether ZywOo is the best AWPer in CS2. It’s whether he’s the greatest player of all time, which is another conversation entirely.