TL;DR
- CS:GO legend s1mple streamed 6+ hours of Valorant ranked games, achieving Platinum 3 rank
- The professional AWPER heavily criticized Valorant’s Operator, calling it ‘broken’ and poorly designed
- s1mple struggled with agent abilities and movement mechanics despite FPS expertise
- He identified multiple weapon balance issues beyond just the sniper rifle
- The experience highlights fundamental differences between CS:GO and Valorant gameplay philosophies

The collision between Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Valorant ecosystems creates fascinating viewing for tactical FPS enthusiasts. Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev’s recent extended streaming session delivered both entertainment gold and serious competitive insights about Riot’s shooter.
Recognized universally as one of CS:GO’s most mechanically gifted competitors, s1mple’s statistical dominance supports his elite status. The Ukrainian superstar has dominated the professional CS:GO landscape for years with his signature AWP prowess, cementing his position among the world’s top players. His extraordinary sniper rifle skills, combined with exceptional movement and deep tactical understanding, established him as one of Counter-Strike’s most influential figures. Naturally, his announcement of exploring Valorant generated massive excitement, surprise, and anticipation among his dedicated fanbase.
Valorant’s ongoing absorption of North American CS:GO talent represents the second major wave of crossover. During this transitional period, s1mple’s decision to stream Valorant kept the community on edge, though his candid game assessments ultimately reassured concerned traditionalists.
Before initiating the broadcast, s1mple tweeted his preliminary take that Valorant seemed excessively “simple” for his skill level. However, the CS:GO professional appeared visibly overwhelmed when confronting agent abilities descending from multiple directions, inconsistent bullet spread mechanics, and restrictive movement systems.
The elite AWPER dedicated over six hours to competitive matches, completing ten ranked encounters. He primarily selected duelist agents, though Omen made a surprise appearance during an Ascent match. While his kill-death statistics appeared respectable, s1mple’s tactical ability deployment mirrored typical newcomer struggles. The 23-year-old accidentally blinded teammates when Phoenix’s curveball ability misfired from miscalculation. This critical error resulted in losing the entire round while Twitch chat erupted with amusement emotes.
Pro Tip: When transitioning from CS:GO, dedicate specific practice sessions exclusively to ability usage rather than relying on pure gunskill. The mechanical transition requires approximately 15-20 hours of focused adaptation for most experienced FPS players.
Few competitive gamers possess s1mple’s comprehensive understanding of sniper rifle mechanics. The star AWPER has shouldered Natus Vincere’s primary sniper responsibilities for years, driving the organization to numerous championship victories. When he tested Valorant’s Operator counterpart, his assessment proved decidedly unimpressed.
s1mple attempted securing eliminations with the weapon but completely abandoned it afterward, declaring it “fundamentally broken and poorly designed.”
“Allow inexperienced players to use the Operator. They simply camp, conceal themselves, and secure kills. The design philosophy feels intellectually bankrupt,” s1mple stated during the stream.
Counterarguments suggesting s1mple lacks sufficient Valorant experience to properly evaluate snipers fail to convince. While Valorant and CS:GO mechanics demonstrate variations, the divergence remains minimal for seasoned professionals like s1mple. As he personally articulated, “All first-person shooter titles fall within my competitive domain.”
Common Mistake: Many CS:GO veterans underestimate the movement speed differences affecting quick-scoping effectiveness between games.
The Operator represented just one weapon receiving s1mple’s harsh evaluation. The CS:GO professional also expressed strong dissatisfaction with knife mechanics and Vandal assault rifle recoil patterns. Despite observable adaptation difficulties, s1mple secured victories in four matches and attained Platinum Three ranking, the maximum achievable placement following Episode 2 Act 1’s introduction.
Optimization Insight: Advanced players transitioning from CS:GO should focus on mastering the Phantom initially, as its spray patterns more closely resemble CS:GO’s AK-47 than the Vandal’s unpredictable behavior.
The fundamental weapon balance differences between CS:GO and Valorant create significant adjustment periods. CS:GO veterans typically require 25-30 matches to develop muscle memory for Valorant’s distinct shooting mechanics, particularly the completely different tagging system that slows movement when hit.
Elite CS:GO competitors bring exceptionally refined crosshair placement, angle holding technique, and economic management skills. However, they must overcome significant hurdles including ability cooldown management, ultimate economy, and completely different peeking mechanics.
The strategic depth comparison reveals Valorant’s emphasis on ability sequencing versus CS:GO’s pure gunfight mastery. Professional players making the transition often struggle most with the reduced movement acceleration and different counter-strafing techniques required for precise shooting.
For players looking to improve their overall FPS skills, our Complete Guide offers foundational principles that translate across multiple shooter genres.
Advanced Strategy: Implement deliberate practice sessions focusing exclusively on movement mechanics, as this represents the most significant adjustment for CS:GO specialists.
Action Checklist
- Practice ability usage in custom games for 2-3 hours before competitive play
- Master movement mechanics including jump peeking and counter-strafing
- Focus initially on Phantom rifle before transitioning to Vandal
- Study agent abilities and cooldown management through our Class Guide for systematic learning
- Analyze professional VODs to understand ability sequencing and ultimate usage
No reproduction without permission:Games Guides Website » CSGO top player s1mple rains kills in Valorant, calls it “too simple” CS:GO legend s1mple's critical analysis of Valorant mechanics and weapon balance from pro perspective
