TL;DR
- Shroud has largely abandoned CSGO due to persistent cheating problems and now primarily streams Valorant
- The former pro considers Valorant more challenging than CSGO, citing higher skill requirements and strategic complexity
- CSGO’s accessibility makes it easier for casual players, while Valorant demands more specialized tactical knowledge
- Shroud’s frustration stems from facing higher-skilled opponents in Valorant compared to his CSGO experiences
- Game mechanics differences significantly impact player experience and competitive viability

Michael “shroud” Grzesiek brings exceptional credibility to FPS game analysis, having competed professionally in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive for over five years. His decorated career includes numerous tournament victories and consistent top-tier performances that established him as one of North America’s most respected CSGO players.
The ongoing debate between CSGO and Valorant similarities continues within the competitive gaming community. While both titles share fundamental tactical shooter DNA, Riot Games incorporated distinctive agent abilities that fundamentally alter strategic approaches. Without these unique mechanics, Valorant would face stronger accusations of being a direct CSGO derivative rather than an innovative competitor.
During a recent broadcast from Icebox, viewers observed shroud displaying uncharacteristic frustration while playing Valorant. When a chat member noted his increased rage compared to CSGO sessions, shroud acknowledged the observation and elaborated on the underlying reasons for his heightened irritation.
“Counter-Strike feels significantly easier to master than Valorant,” shroud stated during his stream. “Riot’s shooter creates more stressful competitive situations that demand greater mental fortitude.”
Despite his reputation for maintaining composure during intense gaming moments, shroud has generated multiple viral clips showcasing rage outbursts exclusively in Valorant matches. His current frustration stems primarily from encountering opponents with superior tactical execution and mechanical skills, a scenario he experienced less frequently during his CSGO competitive days.
Shroud’s extensive first-person shooter expertise lends substantial weight to his comparative analysis. His perspective has ignited vigorous discussion within professional gaming circles about the relative difficulties of both titles.
Valorant introduces additional complexity through diverse agent abilities, while CSGO maintains steep learning curves through pure mechanical mastery and strategic depth. Valve’s approach provides identical utility options to all competitors, creating environments where innovative strategy development becomes crucial for victory. Meanwhile, Valorant’s character-based system enables radically different tactical approaches depending on agent selection.
Does Shroud Still Play CSGO?
Observers rarely witness shroud streaming Counter-Strike: Global Offensive on his Twitch channel currently. His broadcast schedule demonstrates clear preference for Valorant, with significantly more airtime dedicated to Riot’s tactical shooter.
The former professional has repeatedly criticized CSGO’s well-documented cheating epidemic, even describing the game as “fundamentally broken” in previous assessments. Shroud expressed willingness to return to Valve’s shooter if substantive improvements occurred, but currently prefers competitive losses in Valorant over dealing with rampant cheaters in CSGO matches.
This position clearly indicates shroud’s belief that Valorant currently delivers superior tactical shooter experiences, despite its heightened frustration factors. The cheating situation in CSGO has particularly impacted his enjoyment and willingness to engage with the title regularly.
For players transitioning between these tactical shooters, understanding core mechanical differences becomes essential. Valorant’s spray patterns require distinct muscle memory development compared to CSGO’s recoil control systems. Many professional CSGO competitors initially struggled adapting to Valorant’s shooting mechanics, which demand different aiming techniques and bullet spread management.
Avoid these common adaptation mistakes: Don’t assume CSGO crosshair placement translates directly to Valorant sightlines. Agent abilities create unconventional angles that traditional CSGO positioning doesn’t anticipate. Practice economy management separately – Valorant’s buying system and ability costs introduce additional financial strategy layers.
Advanced optimization strategy: Master 2-3 agents thoroughly rather than spreading proficiency thinly across multiple characters. Develop map-specific ability lineups during practice sessions rather than improvising during competitive matches. Analyze professional Valorant VODs to understand how top players integrate abilities into fundamental tactical shooter gameplay.
Time investment for mechanical adaptation typically ranges 20-40 hours for experienced CSGO players. Strategic understanding may require additional 15-25 hours of focused gameplay and review to reach competitive performance levels.
Action Checklist
- Analyze your current CSGO skills and identify which mechanics will transfer effectively to Valorant
- Practice Valorant’s distinctive spray patterns in training mode for 30 minutes daily
- Master 2-3 Valorant agents completely rather than spreading skill development too thinly
- Study professional Valorant gameplay to understand ability integration strategies
- Develop map-specific strategies that leverage your chosen agents’ unique abilities
No reproduction without permission:Games Guides Website » shroud says CSGO is easier than Valorant during live stream Shroud's CSGO vs Valorant analysis reveals why he prefers Riot's tactical shooter over Valve's classic
