The in-game leader is the heart of any great Counter-Strike team. They’re the ones calling the shots, making the big decisions in-game to try and lead their team to victory. It takes hard work to put together a stratbook and utilize it in-game, all while anti-stratting their specific opponent. A great IGL has to be as good out of the game as inside it, serving a role almost like a leader of men to ensure their team stays on the same page. The best IGLs in CS2 bring all these qualities together, while still offering enough in the way of their own firepower to ensure they’re not a liability.
In truth, it’s a fairly weak slate of CS2 IGLs at the moment. Some of the teams at the top are being propped up by superstars, which makes the life of an in-game leader much easier. Here’s my take on the best IGLs in CS2 for 2025!
5. kyxsan (Falcons)
Although Falcons are comfortably the second-best CS2 team in the world right now, I only have kyxsan down as the fifth-best IGL in CS2. Why? It’s just too early to place him any higher. He’s put up a solid six months on the team, showcasing all the qualities you want to see from your in-game leader. He even brought Falcons their first-ever trophy at PGL Bucharest 2025, which counts for a lot. However, Falcons’ solid performances are on the back of having NiKo and m0NESY on the team. When those two are playing at full strength and killing everything in sight, it’s difficult to judge how much the IGL is actually doing.
4. siuhy (Team Liquid)
While Team Liquid aren’t the best CS2 team at the moment, they’re punching above their weight in having siuhy as their in-game leader. He has long been touted as the best IGL prospect in CS2, and he always seems to improve every lineup he’s on. AWPers in particular seem to benefit from siuhy’s presence. He’s strong individually, can make confident mid-round calls to great effect, and can work without a true “star player” in his lineups. We’ll be seeing siuhy for years to come.
3. Brollan (MOUZ)
When Brollan first took on the mantle of IGL for MOUZ, it was a surprising move to just about everybody. The player had never shown a desire to be an in-game leader, and from the outside, didn’t seem like the right personality fit for the job. How wrong we all were. Winning his debut event in the role at PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025, Brollan has quickly become one of the best IGLs in CS2, leading MOUZ to consistent Grand Finals. While he just can’t seem to beat Team Vitality, no one else can, either.
2. chopper (Team Spirit)
It’s tough to judge chopper, really. He has been dealt an interesting hand with his Team Spirit lineup. Of course, he has donk, a rifler with some of the most devastating firepower we’ve ever seen from a Counter-Strike player. Beyond that, though, he has a team with tons of inconsistency, which has led to mixed results. I’d say he’s not quite at fault for the worst of though, and he’s even managed to lead his team to a win at PGL Astana 2025. Given the weak slate among the best IGLs in CS2 at the moment, I’ve got chopper down in second.
1. apEX (Team Vitality)
Right now, Team Vitality’s apEX is by far and away the best IGL in CS2. He has led his team to six consecutive trophy wins in 2025, sparking talk of a true Team Vitality era. It has been a long time since a team was this dominant, going on the second-longest winning streak in Counter-Strike history. Although apEX has been an elite in-game leader for some time now, 2025 has been his crowning achievement.
