The panel set out to rank the Top 20 A&Z Counter-Strike players of the modern era, continuing the series after their Asia list. The idea was simple but heated: who really defines Australian and New Zealand Counter-Strike in the last decade?
Right at the top, there was no debate — jks took the #1 spot as the region’s greatest export, the only player to consistently win at the very highest level. Behind him, the discussion centered on AZR and dexter, weighing AZR’s trailblazing role with Vox and Renegades against dexter’s international leadership and major playoff run. Names like INS, liazz, and Gratisfaction filled out the upper tier, each representing different peaks of ANZ CS.
The conversation wasn’t just about trophies — it also touched on cultural impact. Sponge and Top Gun were recognized as personalities who carried the early scene, while DickStacy earned a spot through sheer aura and recognition. At the same time, the panel debated how much weight to give newer players such as Vexite, who has shown elite individual skill but is still building his legacy compared to veterans like Yam, Havoc, and Sniper.
The final ranking became a mix of history and modern results — a list that acknowledges pioneers, celebrates domestic consistency, and leaves space for rising stars to eventually climb higher.
