Mauisnake has published his updated Top 20 Counter-Strike players following the conclusion of the IEM Cologne 2026 Major, treating the event as the most important tournament of the season so far. He explains how much weight Cologne carries in his rankings, discusses players who rose or fell after the Major, and reveals which names are locked into the top positions.
Rather than relying purely on statistics, Mauisnake walks viewers through his entire decision-making process. He compares eye test, individual impact, consistency, strength of opposition, playoff performances, and results at the year’s biggest events, while debating controversial placements for stars such as NiKo, sh1ro, ropz, HeavyGod, kyousuke, KSCERATO, and many others.
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The analyst also breaks down how he evaluates tournaments throughout the season, explaining why he values Majors and prestigious events like Cologne above all else. After numerous head-to-head comparisons and statistical checks, he finalizes his Top 20 list while highlighting several honorable mentions that narrowly missed the cut.
