Counter-Strike evolves through eras. The game does not progress randomly. It moves in cycles defined by teams that impose their identity on the server and reshape the competitive landscape. Some dominated through structure, others through firepower or mentality. Each era raised the standard and forced the rest of the scene to adapt.
From the Ninjas in Pyjamas in the early days of CS:GO to the Bees of Vitality in 2025, the history of Counter-Strike can be read through the dynasties that controlled it.
Ninjas in Pyjamas and the Birth of Dominance
The first true era of CS:GO belonged to Ninjas in Pyjamas. In the early days of the title, the Swedish lineup featuring GeT_RiGhT, f0rest, Xizt, friberg and Fifflaren set a benchmark that still stands as one of the most iconic achievements in esports history.
Their 87-0 LAN map streak between 2012 and 2013 established a level of consistency never seen before. Tournament after tournament, map after map, NiP remained untouchable. Opponents entered matches already aware of the gap that separated them from the Swedes. During their crazy streak they would win 14 events in a row from August 2012 all the way until February 2013. But even after their first defeat, they would remain the main force in Counter-Strike, and would rack up many more trophies in 2013 and 2014, and finally winning a Major at ESL One Cologne 2014.
Fnatic and the Rise of the Super Villains
After the NiP dominance, Fnatic took control and changed the tone of what it meant to be the best team in the world, and between late 2014 and early 2016, the Swedish powerhouse led by pronax and powered by JW, flusha, olofmeister and KRIMZ became the team everyone wanted to dethrone.
Fnatic won 3 Majors and was the first team in CS history to win back-to-back Majors and they also controlled long stretches of the ranking. Their style was aggressive, confident and unapologetic. They played fast, trusted their instincts and embraced high-pressure moments. Their controversial boost incident at DreamHack Winter 2014 reinforced their image as the villains of the scene, and they thrived in hostile environments and delivered when expectations were highest, Fnatic turned winning into intimidation. If Fnatic didn’t win as many tournaments in a row as NiP, they still won more than 15 in 2015.
Brazilian Fire: Luminosity and SK Gaming
Between 2016 and 2017, the flashlight was put on the Brazilian scene, as the core of FalleN, coldzera, fer, TACO and fnx, first under Luminosity Gaming and later SK Gaming, brought a new dynamic to the international circuit. They would take the scene by storm as the first event they would win was the Major and become the first non-European team to win a Major. They would continue their form and go back-to-back with Majors, and, in the span of two years, the team would amass 18 trophies, forming an era that combined discipline with explosive talent. FalleN guided the team while maintaining personal impact while coldzera reached extraordinary individual levels, highlighted by iconic plays that still define Major history and unlocking new peaks as a rifler, becoming the best player in the world for both 2016 and 2017.
Back-to-back Major titles and consistent deep runs transformed Brazil into a global powerhouse. The Brazilian era introduced emotion, resilience and belief into the competitive narrative and expanded the global audience while proving that Counter-Strike dominance was not only limited to European teams.
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Astralis and the Best Team of All Time
If the Brazilian era was fueled by momentum and emotion, Astralis represented calculated perfection, as the team revolutionized utility usage, counter-stratting as well as physical and mental preparation. Their approach was systematic and every detail of their game was refined to the maximum, from grenade protocols to late-round positioning.
Between 2018 and 2019, the Danish lineup of device, dupreeh, Xyp9x, gla1ve and Magisk constructed the most methodical dynasty the game has seen. They won four Majors, including three in a row and won 11 big events in 2018 alone, two records that still hold to this day and creating the legacy of the Best Team of All Time. This era permanently raised the tactical ceiling of Counter-Strike. Teams across the world studied their structure and discipline while Astralis proved that sustained excellence required preparation as much as raw skill.
Team Liquid and the Intel Grand Slam Sprint
In 2019, Team Liquid delivered one of the most explosive short-term peaks in Counter-Strike history. The North American lineup featuring nitr0, EliGE, NAF, Twistzz and Stewie2K went on a historic run, winning the Intel Grand Slam in a record 63 days, the fastest run in the history of Counter-Strike. During that stretch, they lifted trophies at IEM Sydney, DreamHack Masters Dallas, ESL Pro League Season 9 Finals and ESL One Cologne, and managed a 23-match win streak, beating Astralis’ previous record, but in the Quarterfinals of the 2019 Berlin Major, the team fell short against their rivals in Astralis, failing to win a Major that could have cemented their legacy as the team that dethroned the greatest team of all time.
Liquid’s dominance was built on firepower and momentum. EliGE played some of the best Counter-Strike of his career, NAF provided consistency in crucial matches, and the team’s confidence grew with each title. While their era was shorter than others, its intensity left a strong mark on the scene. For a brief period in 2019, Team Liquid stood at the top of the world rankings and proved that North America could lead the global hierarchy.
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Vitality and the New Era
The current era belongs to Vitality. With 37 wins in a row, 9 trophies, one Intel Grand Slam and two Major trophies, Team Vitality signed the most dominant period ever achieved by a team in Counter-Strike, losing only a best-of-three and a best-of-one. Achieving what many believe is the most dominant run in history, and creating an era that rivals Astralis’ legacy. And in 2026 the team isn’t slowing down as they won IEM Kraków with ZywOo having the best event of his entire career.
