s1mple says he’d “destroy” Na’Vi Valorant team with no armor

When esports legend Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyljev was questioned about his potential performance on a professional Valorant squad, his response showcased both confidence and characteristic humor.

During a recent collaborative broadcast with former pro player Tarik “tarik” Celik, the Counter-Strike superstar faced a direct inquiry about how he might stack up against Natus Vincere’s current Valorant lineup. His immediate retort claimed he would decisively outperform every member of their highly skilled roster. This exchange created immediate buzz across gaming communities, raising questions about whether s1mple enthusiasts should genuinely anticipate a transition to Riot’s tactical shooter.

“If I were to substitute for any Na’Vi player currently, I would completely dominate them. Not necessarily a perfect 13-0 scoreline, but I’d simply out-aim them consistently. That’s the reality. I don’t even require complex abilities, which explains my Reyna preference… I skip purchasing armor. I avoid buying flash grenades. I acquire two ultimate orbs, and we’re ready. Let’s make it happen,” he declared during the broadcast.

While s1mple’s remarks were undoubtedly delivered with sarcastic intent, they gain additional significance when considering Natus Vincere’s Valorant division competitive standing. The organization’s squad was actively competing in the elite eight bracket at VCT LOCK//IN Sao Paulo, featuring Turkish duelist specialist Mehmet “cNed” İpek as their primary star player. Given s1mple’s position within the same esports organization, he has likely trained alongside or observed their Valorant roster extensively. This organizational connection further supports interpreting his statement as playful banter, though veteran Counter-Strike followers understand that dismissing s1mple’s confident pronouncements has historically been unwise.

The skill transition between CSGO and Valorant presents unique challenges that even elite players must navigate. While raw aiming ability transfers well, Valorant’s character-specific abilities, economic system, and map control dynamics require significant adaptation time. Professional players making the switch typically need 3-6 months of intensive practice to reach competitive levels, with many struggling to adapt to the hero-shooter elements.

Despite the humorous exchange on tarik’s broadcast, s1mple remains highly improbable to transition to Valorant for the foreseeable future, likely remaining in CSGO for several competitive seasons.

s1mple represents the most recognizable figure in competitive Counter-Strike and is frequently debated as the greatest player in the game’s history. The tactical FPS icon has accumulated tournament winnings exceeding $1.7 million, highlighted by his Valve-sponsored championship victory at the 2021 Stockholm Major. While Natus Vincere’s CSGO division currently experiences performance fluctuations, they maintain top-tier contender status with their recent podium placement at IEM Katowice 2023.

This incident doesn’t mark the initial instance where s1mple has suggested potential Valorant interest. He previously stated in early 2021 that he aimed to secure a CSGO major championship before considering any transition, an objective he successfully achieved later that year. He also engaged extensively with Valorant during its launch period, though an unexpected account suspension likely created negative associations with the game’s early ecosystem.

Numerous Counter-Strike professionals have playfully referenced potential moves to Valorant, but s1mple’s current achievement level and near-synonymous association with Valve’s flagship tactical shooter render an immediate transition highly unlikely. Several practical considerations further complicate any potential switch:

Contractual Factors: s1mple’s current agreement with Natus Vincere likely includes CSGO-specific obligations and performance incentives that would make transitioning financially complex. Most elite CSGO contracts contain game-specific clauses that don’t automatically transfer to other titles.

Skill Adaptation Timeline: Even with exceptional mechanical skills, mastering Valorant’s agent abilities, map strategies, and team coordination requires dedicated practice time that conflicts with his CSGO competitive schedule.

Legacy Considerations: As arguably the CSGO GOAT, abandoning his established legacy for an uncertain future in Valorant represents significant career risk. The Class Guide principles about specialization versus diversification apply similarly to esports career decisions.

The Complete Guide to professional gaming transitions shows that successful switches typically occur during career plateaus, not at performance peaks.

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