The Perfect World CS2 Major, set to take place in Shanghai from November 30 to December 15, marks the first Counter-Strike Major in Asia. With the shift to Counter-Strike 2 and a $1.25 million prize pool, the event is poised to be a milestone in esports history.
This tournament is set to showcase incredible talent from across the globe. With teams fighting for spots in the Elimination Stage, the Opening Stage will feature intense matchups and spotlight some of the game’s most exciting players. Here are the top five players to keep an eye on during this stage:
Jame (Virtus.pro)
The in-game leader (IGL) and AWP specialist for Virtus.pro, Jame has solidified his reputation as one of Counter-Strike’s smartest players. Known for his ability to clutch critical rounds and manage his team effectively, Jame’s cerebral approach to the game will be crucial for Virtus.pro’s journey. As past Major champions, Virtus.pro will rely on his leadership to navigate the Swiss bracket and advance.
During the RMR B, Jame achieved an impressive 1.25 average rating over six maps, including an excellent performance during their qualification match against Sashi, with 50 kills in total and a 1.36 rating.
blameF (Fnatic)
At the Perfect World Shanghai Major Europe RMR A, Benjamin “blameF” Bremer played a pivotal role in fnatic’s performance. Across the initial stages, blameF demonstrated his impact in high-pressure situations, notably clutching a 1v3 during their match on Nuke against BetBoom. This critical play helped secure momentum for fnatic in a closely contested half. His ability to step up during crucial rounds was integral to fnatic’s progress through the tournament.
Fnatic, with blameF’s contributions, navigated through challenging matchups, emphasizing teamwork and individual brilliance. His consistency and composure during tight scenarios underline his status as a key figure in the team’s success at RMR A.
He was the third-best player throughout the entire RMR, featuring an average of 1.40 rating across eight maps played, including a tremendous performance in their qualification match against ECLOT with a 1.40 rating, 65 kills across three maps, and a 12:0 record in opening duels. A slap in the face to those who meme about him being a baiter, blameF arrives at the Opening Stage as a top contender to be one of the best players.
HeavyGod (Cloud9)
Nikita “HeavyGod” Martynenko delivered a standout performance during Cloud9’s match against Nemiga at the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 Europe RMR A. HeavyGod achieved a remarkable 2.03 player rating, leading his team to a dominant 13-5 victory on Inferno. This performance came after a challenging opening loss against FaZe, where Cloud9 fell 8-13. Despite the initial setback, HeavyGod’s efforts showcased his ability to adapt and excel under pressure, which is crucial for Cloud9’s hopes of advancing in the tournament.
HeavyGod has acknowledged the difficulties of adapting to Cloud9, citing language barriers as a challenge. Nevertheless, he remains optimistic about the team’s potential, emphasizing their goal of securing a spot in the Major despite previous struggles.
He was one of the best players during RMR A, featuring an average of a 1.32 rating across nine maps played, including a monstrous performance in their 4th-5th place decider rematch against FaZe Clan, where he felt no pressure and delivered 52 kills and a 1.39 rating against some of the most skilled players in the world.
nqz (paiN Gaming)
Lucas “nqz” Soares shone at the Americas RMR for the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024, showcasing exceptional skill as a critical player for paiN Gaming. During their opening match against Nouns Esports, nqz delivered a stunning performance with a 22-4 K/D ratio, boasting a 1.91 rating—one of the highest in the tournament. His contribution helped secure a dominant 13-5 victory, positioning paiN Gaming strongly in the 1-0 pool from the start.
Despite paiN’s ups and downs throughout the tournament, nqz remained a consistent force. His ability to adapt under pressure was evident in critical moments, particularly in matches against strong contenders like 9z. These efforts were instrumental in ensuring paiN’s qualification for the first Counter-Strike 2 Major in Shanghai.
This tournament further solidified nqz’s reputation as a rising star in the competitive CS2 scene, and his performances added to the excitement leading into the Major. The Americas RMR not only highlighted his individual talent but also the depth of competition within the region.
In a region where all eyes have been on Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo as the best AWPer for many years, nqz shines and becomes a top contender to be one of the best AWPers at the Major if he can maintain his consistency against some of the best teams in the world.
Nqz was the second-best player in terms of opening kill stats during the Americas RMR, with an 82.4% success rate and a 17.7% attempt rate. He was the best AWPer in a statistic that is often undervalued but demonstrates his significant impact for paiN throughout the RMR.
EliGE (Complexity Gaming)
Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski showcased an exceptional performance during the Americas RMR for the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024, reaffirming his status as one of the top North American Counter-Strike players. As a key player for Complexity, EliGE delivered standout statistics, including an impressive average rating of 1.36 across six maps played, making him one of the event’s elite performers. His contributions were instrumental in securing Complexity’s spot at the Major, demonstrating both his individual skill and his ability to lead under pressure.
EliGE also emphasized the increased difficulty of this RMR, citing the heightened competitiveness in the Americas region compared to previous years. Despite challenges, Complexity’s resilience and EliGE’s consistency have set the stage for a promising run at the Shanghai Major. This marks his 14th Major appearance, a record for any North American player, further solidifying his legacy in CS esports.
Looking ahead, EliGE remains optimistic about Complexity’s potential at the Major, attributing their qualification to strong teamwork and the experience gained during the high-pressure matches at the RMR.
BONUS: The Deadly duo – yuurih & KSCERATO (FURIA)
Yuri “yuurih” Santos and Kaike “KSCERATO” Cerato were standout players for FURIA during the Americas RMR event for the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024, showcasing why they remain pivotal to their team’s success.
yuurih delivered consistent performances, including a standout showing against M80, where he scored 16 kills and maintained an ADR (average damage per round) of 84.3, earning a solid 1.32 rating. His ability to provide impactful frags and disrupt enemy setups—particularly through key plays like dismantling a short hold from 9z with a perfectly timed flashbang—was crucial in FURIA’s journey to secure their Major spot.
KSCERATO, known for his precise aim and clutch capabilities, also demonstrated his prowess. He was instrumental in matches like the one against M80, delivering 15 kills with an 8-point kill differential and a 1.36 rating in critical rounds. His consistency in fragging and defensive holds ensured FURIA remained competitive even in tense matchups.
FURIA ultimately secured a Major berth, overcoming M80 with back-to-back map victories on Anubis and Dust II. The contributions of yuurih and KSCERATO, complemented by the leadership of Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo, underline their critical roles as part of one of Brazil’s strongest Counter-Strike teams.
Across 10 maps played throughout the RMR, the duo achieved average ratings of 1.25 and 1.22, which is impressive given the number of games and the quality of their opponents.
