Valerii “b1t” Vakhovskyi entered the list of the twenty best players of 2025 according to HLTV, finishing in 20th place. For the Ukrainian, this is already his fourth appearance in the year-end ranking. A key role was played by peak performances at top-tier tournaments — IEM Katowice, IEM Cologne, and BLAST Bounty S1, where he received EVP awards.
A series of tournament setbacks
Despite NAVI’s inconsistent results throughout the season and several tournament failures, b1t retained the status of a world-class player. He consistently showed a high individual rating, was among the most impactful players in decisive matches, and remained one of the leading riflers.
It is particularly telling that even during the most difficult stretches of the year, b1t remained one of the most reliable elements of the roster.
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Why b1t made the top 20
The decision in favor of the Ukrainian was shaped by several factors:
- three EVP awards at major tournaments
- consistent rating throughout the season
- high impact in elimination matches
- strong results against top-tier teams
- fewer failures than competitors in the lower part of the ranking
In other words, he did not only farm statistics in group stages but also delivered results in decisive series.
Statistics of 2025: what stands behind the ranking
Throughout the season, b1t demonstrated a stable level of play at LAN tournaments, maintaining a rating above 1.00 at most of them. He regularly played maps with 1.30+ ratings, indicating high peak segments and the ability to decide rounds individually.
An important component of his result was reliability in elimination matches: it was in such series that the Ukrainian often remained among NAVI’s leaders. Clutch situations and key rounds were also an area of his responsibility, where he repeatedly saved maps for the team. Individual performances in the finals and semifinals of big tournaments further strengthened his final ranking.
At the same time, several events significantly pulled his numbers down. First of all, this concerns the Major and part of the spring tournaments, where NAVI underperformed expectations and b1t’s individual statistics declined. The combination of peaks and setbacks produced exactly this year-end result.
b1t’s key tournaments of the season
- IEM Katowice 2025
The Ukrainian delivered one of his best performances of the year — a high rating, consistent series against top opponents, and a large number of key frags. Katowice became the first strong argument for his inclusion in the ranking. - IEM Cologne 2025
Another top event with an arena stage where b1t consistently ranked among the top three players in NAVI and was a driving force in several comebacks. - BLAST Bounty Season 1
The third EVP award secured his place among the contenders. The Ukrainian showed a high K/D difference and stability across maps.
Weak points of b1t’s season
Despite making the top 20, the season cannot be called consistent for b1t. He had several tournaments where he finished with a rating below 1.00, which contrasted with his best performances at IEM Katowice or IEM Cologne. In the playoffs of certain major championships, instability was noticeable: strong group stages did not always translate into confident arena performances.
Additional factors included NAVI’s internal challenges — role restructuring, roster changes, and periodic issues with team structure also affected the Ukrainian’s individual numbers. That is why, instead of a top-10 or top-15 spot, he finished the year in 20th place.
Role in NAVI throughout the year
In 2025, b1t remained one of the key elements of NAVI’s roster. He performed the functions of a primary rifler, often opened rounds for the team, and took on risky positions on the map.
In matches against elite opponents, the Ukrainian regularly ranked among the top fraggers of the lineup, and on big stages he played confidently even when the team as a whole was going through a difficult phase. It is also important that b1t has already spent more than 1,800 days in NAVI’s main roster, underlining his status as a core and long-term player of the organization.
Career context
Entering the list of the best players of the year is no longer a sensation for b1t but rather confirmation of his consistency. He first appeared in the top 20 in 2021, repeated the achievement in 2022, returned again in 2024, and solidified his place in 2025.
At 22 years old, he already has four appearances in HLTV’s final top list — one of the best results among young players on the current scene — demonstrating not coincidence, but the systematic nature of his career.
What this means for the Ukrainian scene
b1t’s success carries symbolic significance for the entire Ukrainian Counter-Strike scene. He remains one of the most productive and successful players in the country, consistently representing Ukraine in global rankings.
His presence in the top 20 strengthens NAVI’s position internationally and simultaneously demonstrates the effectiveness of the academy system: just a few years ago, b1t was a graduate of NAVI Junior, and now he is part of the elite of world CS. His path serves as practical proof that academy projects can raise players who genuinely compete for titles and individual awards.
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Position among the best
Despite a difficult and uneven season, b1t managed to maintain a position among the best players in the world. Three EVP awards at major tournaments and consistency in decisive matches secured him a place in HLTV’s Top 20 of 2025. The Ukrainian continues to be a key figure for NAVI and one of the most consistent young riflers on the world stage.
