{"id":221933,"date":"2025-08-02T20:35:03","date_gmt":"2025-08-02T20:35:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/skin.club\/community?p=221933"},"modified":"2025-12-29T13:06:45","modified_gmt":"2025-12-29T13:06:45","slug":"shameful-downhill-of-ax1le","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.skin.club\/en\/news\/shameful-downhill-of-ax1le","title":{"rendered":"Shameful downhill of Ax1le"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>There was a time when Sergey \u201cAx1Le\u201d Rykhtorov was considered one of the most complete riflers in Counter\u2011Strike. He was the cornerstone of Gambit and later Cloud9\u2019s system, a clutch\u2011capable lurker with elite impact, and a perennial HLTV Top\u20115 presence. But by mid\u20112025, Ax1Le\u2019s career had reached its lowest point: a benching at BetBoom Team following a string of disastrous results, a career\u2011worst rating, and a visible collapse in form.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"custom-bq\"><div class=\"custom-bq-q\"><p>I don\u2019t care. I play for the team result, not for individual statistics, and that\u2019s more important to me. I do everything I can for the team, Ax1Le admitted in one of his last interviews at the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<h2>From Gambit\u2019s Golden Era to Global Recognition<\/h2>\n<p>Ax1Le\u2019s rise to the top began with Gambit Esports. He joined Gambit Youngsters in 2019 and quickly became one of the defining pieces in the team\u2019s meteoric ascent. Alongside sh1ro, nafany, and interz, he helped Gambit dominate the online era of CS:GO in 2020\u20132021. The team\u2019s disciplined, structured style allowed Ax1Le to flourish in a supportive lurk and anchor role.<\/p>\n<p>This period was marked by multiple S\u2011Tier titles and deep runs at every major event. Gambit won IEM Katowice 2021, IEM Summer 2021, and ESL Pro League Season 13, with Ax1Le himself being named MVP at two of those events (IEM Summer 2021 and EPL S13). At the PGL Major Stockholm 2021, Gambit placed top\u20114, and Ax1Le recorded a strong 1.09 rating against elite competition.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"article-list-pink\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\" class=\"article-list-pink__item\">HLTV Top\u201120 rankings: #5 in 2021, #4 in 2022.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\" class=\"article-list-pink__item\">Average rating during Gambit peak: consistently above 1.13, with a 1.14 rating on LAN.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\" class=\"article-list-pink__item\">Gambit\u2019s system: clean utility usage, strong mid\u2011round calling from nafany, and space creation for Ax1Le to thrive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The transition to Cloud9 in 2022 kept most of Gambit\u2019s core together, but cracks began to show in the following year as results became less consistent.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-221951\" src=\"https:\/\/skin.club\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ax1Le_@_IEM_Cologne_2021.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/community.skin.club\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ax1Le_@_IEM_Cologne_2021.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/community.skin.club\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ax1Le_@_IEM_Cologne_2021-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/community.skin.club\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ax1Le_@_IEM_Cologne_2021-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>The Timeline of Decline<\/h2>\n<p>The first major downturn came in late 2023. Cloud9 struggled with inconsistent roster moves and failed to make deep runs at Majors, while Ax1Le\u2019s rating dipped to 1.09 that year. By 2024, the problems had escalated.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"article-list-pink\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\" class=\"article-list-pink__item\">Cloud9 eventually disbanded its core roster after a string of disappointing results.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\" class=\"article-list-pink__item\">Ax1Le joined BetBoom Team, a line\u2011up lacking both star power and a stable IGL.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\" class=\"article-list-pink__item\">His rating plummeted to 1.01 in 2024, barely above the 1.0 baseline.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>By 2025, the numbers became alarming. At the BLAST.tv Austin Major, BetBoom exited in 23\u201324th place, and Ax1Le posted a 0.79 rating in Stage 2. At smaller events like the CCT Season 2 Europe Series #20, his form deteriorated even further, dropping to a 0.66 rating. Over the last three months, he hit a career\u2011low rating of 0.86, compared to the 1.13 rating he averaged during his peak Gambit years. His Major rating has also dropped to 0.75, compared to 1.00 in 2022 and 0.93 back in 2021.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"custom-bq\"><div class=\"custom-bq-q\"><p>Ax1Le is still trying to find himself in CS2. He will need to show his experience against tier\u20111 opponents, noted Boombl4 after another weak showing at the Major.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<h2>The Numbers Behind the Collapse<\/h2>\n<p>The decline in Ax1Le\u2019s performance was not limited to one metric; it was across the board. His ability to win opening duels and secure high\u2011impact rounds, once his trademark, dropped significantly. He now finds himself in the bottom 40% for opening duel success rate, and his impact index has fallen by nearly 40% compared to his 2022 peak. Trading efficiency is no longer there, as he struggles to convert even favorable 2v2 situations that he once thrived in. His kill\u2011per\u2011round numbers have declined to just 0.57, and over the past three months, he has produced a negative K\/D ratio of 0.85, with 426 kills against 504 deaths, a differential of \u201178.<\/p>\n<p>These numbers are a far cry from the consistent impact he showed during Gambit\u2019s golden era. Between 2021 and 2022, Ax1Le held an average rating of 1.13, while his LAN rating reached a formidable 1.14. In 2023, this dipped slightly to 1.09 before crashing to 1.01 in 2024. Over the past three months in 2025, his HLTV rating has hit a career\u2011low 0.86, with Majors showing an even more concerning 0.75 rating.<\/p>\n<p>Event examples drive the point home. At the Austin Major 2025, he finished with a \u201114 K\/D difference against MIBR and a rating of 0.79. His performance at the Thunderpick World Championship 2025 was one of the worst of his professional career, ending with a 0.63 rating.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-221967\" src=\"https:\/\/skin.club\/community\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ax1Le_at_BLAST_Austin_Major_2025-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/community.skin.club\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ax1Le_at_BLAST_Austin_Major_2025-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/community.skin.club\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ax1Le_at_BLAST_Austin_Major_2025-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/community.skin.club\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Ax1Le_at_BLAST_Austin_Major_2025-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Team Instability and Role Disintegration<\/h2>\n<p>The core difference between Ax1Le\u2019s peak and his current state is team environment. Gambit gave him structure, space, and consistent roles. At BetBoom, roster instability compounded the issue. Without a structured IGL and consistent AWPer, Ax1Le\u2019s classic lurk\u2011late\u2011round role collapsed. He was often forced into uncomfortable positions, over\u2011aggressive mid\u2011round peeks, and poorly supported entries.<\/p>\n<p>On top of that, CS2\u2019s shifting meta hurt his strengths: the new utility timings and smokes reduced his ability to manipulate late\u2011round space, a hallmark of his style.<\/p>\n<h2>Comparison With His Peers<\/h2>\n<p>While Ax1Le faltered, similar riflers like ropz, flameZ, and XANTARES maintained 1.10+ ratings in CS2. They adapted to the meta faster, diversified their positions, and thrived in structured line\u2011ups.<\/p>\n<p>This contrast highlights how Ax1Le\u2019s downfall is not only a \u201cteam issue\u201d but also a failure to adjust individually.<\/p>\n<h2>Is There a Way Back?<\/h2>\n<p>The benching at BetBoom in July 2025 may be a wake\u2011up call. Ax1Le is only 23 years old, with the mechanical ceiling and pedigree to bounce back. But it will likely require:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">A fresh system with a strong IGL: Ax1Le thrives with clear roles and space.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Rebuilding confidence: regaining consistency in opening duels and clutches.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\">Re\u2011adapting to CS2 meta: refining utility usage and mid\u2011round timing.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Without these changes, it\u2019s difficult to see him returning to HLTV\u2019s Top 20 anytime soon.<\/p>\n<h2>Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n<p>Ax1Le\u2019s story is a cautionary tale. In 2021, he was a tournament MVP, a key part of Gambit\u2019s golden era, and a top\u20115 player in the world. Three years later, he is benched, his rating plummeting below 0.90, struggling even at mid\u2011tier tournaments.<\/p>\n<p>The harsh reality is that Ax1Le has failed to adapt to CS2. The things that made him exceptional in CS:GO \u2014 controlled spacing, late\u2011round lurks, perfect utility timing \u2014 no longer work the same way in the new game. In CS:GO, he might have still been an elite rifler today, but in CS2, he looks lost.<\/p>\n<p>From elite rifler to the sidelines in less than two seasons \u2013 the Ax1Le downfall is one of CS2\u2019s sharpest declines. Whether he can recover will depend as much on his mindset as on the next team willing to take a chance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There was a time when Sergey \u201cAx1Le\u201d Rykhtorov was considered one of the most complete riflers in Counter\u2011Strike. He was the cornerstone of Gambit and later Cloud9\u2019s system, a clutch\u2011capable lurker with elite impact, and a perennial HLTV Top\u20115 presence. But by mid\u20112025, Ax1Le\u2019s career had reached its lowest point: a benching at BetBoom Team [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":225067,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-221933","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Shameful downhill of Ax1le<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"From a top\u20115 HLTV rifler to a benchwarmer with a 0.86 rating \u2014 Ax1Le\u2019s dramatic decline in CS2 has shocked the Counter\u2011Strike scene. 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