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Who Is the Perfect AWPer to Lead FaZe Forward?

Articles
Jul 11
160 views 8 mins read

With FaZe Clan in urgent need of a stable AWPer, the international powerhouse faces a crucial decision that could define the remainder of their CS2 season. Since the temporary arrival of s1mple and the benching of long-time sniper broky, FaZe has been exploring options to fill the vacant AWP role. Let’s take an in-depth look at six possible candidates, evaluating their recent performances, statistical profiles, and potential to join FaZe in the near future.

s1mple — The Superstar, But At What Price?

Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev remains the most iconic player in Counter-Strike history. His recent loan spell with FaZe reignited discussions about his future after he delivered strong performances at IEM Dallas and BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025, with ratings of 1.17, 1.08, and 1.11. His current three-month average sits at 1.12 with an ADR of 75.8—impressive numbers for someone returning from a competitive break.

Beyond mechanical brilliance, s1mple brought FaZe mental resilience, leadership, and the big-game mentality that helped stabilize the team and boost their confidence. His vast experience, ability to take initiative, and comfort in high-pressure situations make him a natural fit for FaZe’s more flexible, freedom-based system under karrigan.

However, s1mple’s dominant personality could require the team to adapt its structure around him, and the financial demands of a permanent transfer present a major obstacle. While his arrival would offer FaZe an immediate competitive boost, the move carries significant risk in both strategic balance and long-term sustainability.

broky — The Safe and Familiar Choice

Helvijs “broky” Saukants has been synonymous with FaZe since 2019, playing a key role in the team’s rise to the top and contributing to their PGL Antwerp Major victory. After a series of underwhelming performances earlier this year, broky was moved to the bench in favor of a temporary s1mple loan. Still, as FaZe searches for a permanent AWPer, broky remains the most accessible and familiar option.

In 2025, his statistics have been steady: a 1.10 rating and 0.72 kills per round. While not headline-grabbing, these numbers provide a solid and reliable baseline. Crucially, broky has deep knowledge of FaZe’s map pool, team dynamics, and the pressure that comes with competing for titles. His recent return to active play on FACEIT signals that he remains motivated to reclaim his place.

Broky offers stability, calmness, and seamless integration into FaZe’s free-flowing system under karrigan. His composed personality fits well within the team environment, and his consistency ensures he is rarely a liability. 

However, his recent lack of clutch performances and the absence of the killer instinct he showed in 2022 raise doubts about whether he can once again be the player to carry FaZe to major titles. For FaZe, broky would be the safe but limited option—reliable for maintaining stability but unlikely to reignite a new era of dominance without significant improvement.

degster — The Overlooked Star

Abdul “degster” Gasanov has been a consistent presence in both tier-1 and tier-2 Counter-Strike, most recently representing Falcons before being benched in favor of m0NESY. During his time with Falcons, he secured a victory at PGL Bucharest 2025, posting an impressive 1.12 rating over 21 maps. 

Over the past six months, he has maintained a respectable 1.05 rating with strong impact, proving his ability to perform in high-stakes situations. Despite currently being sidelined, degster remains a valuable player whose transfer fee would likely be manageable for FaZe.

Degster brings an aggressive and confident AWPing style that can shift the momentum of matches, combined with solid LAN experience and a proven ability to deliver under pressure. His skillset could thrive within FaZe’s more flexible and open system under karrigan, offering the team a spark they have been missing.

However, degster is also known for a complex and sometimes difficult personality, which may not align smoothly with FaZe’s team chemistry. There is a risk of over-aggression or clashes with leadership, especially in an environment that values balance and cohesion.

His history of inconsistent relationships with previous teams raises further questions about long-term stability. For FaZe, degster represents a high-risk, high-reward option—one that could either reignite the team’s firepower or disrupt its foundation if not carefully managed.

r1nkle — The Rising Star

Artem “r1nkle” Moroz has rapidly emerged as one of the most exciting young AWPers in the CS2 scene. Since joining Ninjas in Pyjamas, he has delivered standout performances, including a breakout showing at PGL Astana 2025. Over the past three months, he has posted a stellar 1.28 rating, 1.35 impact, and an ADR of 86.2—placing him among the top-performing snipers globally. R1nkle combines mechanical precision with sharp decision-making, making him one of the highest-ceiling prospects in the game.

His calm and composed approach under pressure, combined with excellent mechanical skill and smart positioning, makes r1nkle a natural fit for FaZe’s semi-structured and flexible system under karrigan. With the right guidance, he has the potential to grow into a true franchise player capable of carrying a team at the highest level.

However, r1nkle remains unproven in deep playoff runs and high-pressure tier-1 LAN finals, which raises questions about his readiness for immediate top-tier competition. His recently signed long-term contract with NiP, running through 2029, would also make any potential transfer both expensive and complicated.

Additionally, his quiet personality means he may need time to develop into a vocal presence within a veteran-heavy roster. For FaZe, r1nkle represents a high-upside, long-term investment—one that could shape the team’s future but may not deliver instant results.

headtr1ck — The Redemption Arc

Daniil “headtr1ck” Valitov symbolizes resilience and determination. After facing challenges during his time at Ninjas in Pyjamas, he revived his career with B8, helping the team qualify for tier-1 events including BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025. In 2025, he holds a solid 1.14 rating, which reflects not only his mechanical skill and positional awareness but also his mental reset and hunger to prove himself after setbacks.

Headtr1ck’s style suits FaZe’s flexible system under karrigan, where individual initiative is encouraged. His affordable transfer cost makes him a practical option, and his calm, hard-working personality would integrate smoothly into the team environment. However, he has yet to consistently deliver in high-pressure playoff matches and remains unproven as a true game-changer at the elite level. 

While his trajectory suggests clear potential, he may need more time to reach the consistency and impact that FaZe requires to compete for major titles. For FaZe, headtr1ck would be a low-cost, medium-risk choice with upside—better suited for long-term development rather than immediate success.

Jambo — The Next Big Thing?

Dmytro “Jambo” Semera burst onto the scene with Passion UA’s surprise run at the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024. His raw aim, confidence, and fearless playstyle quickly made him one of the most talked-about young talents in the scene. By early 2025, he joined Fnatic, where he immediately became the standout player, posting a 1.19 rating over the past year with consistently high impact above 1.25.

Jambo’s explosive mechanical talent and aggressive decision-making could inject fresh firepower and unpredictability into FaZe. His fearless mindset and natural confidence align well with karrigan’s freedom-based system, making him a player who could thrive in an environment that allows individual expression. At the same time, his youth and hunger give him one of the highest ceilings for long-term growth.

However, Jambo has yet to face regular tier-1 LAN competition or prove himself under playoff pressure. His inexperience at the highest level raises concerns about consistency and his ability to handle the mental demands of elite Counter-Strike. For FaZe, Jambo would represent a high-risk, high-reward investment—an exciting choice for the future, but likely not the immediate solution if the team’s priority is to compete for trophies right now.

What Will FaZe Choose?

Each AWPer presents FaZe with a different path. S1mple offers instant impact but comes with financial and structural challenges. Broky is the safe and familiar choice but may lack the spark to push the team forward. Degster brings aggression and experience but poses potential chemistry risks. Headtr1ck is a steady, affordable option with room to grow but not yet a guaranteed top-tier performer. R1nkle is a high-upside long-term bet, while Jambo is the boldest gamble—raw, fearless, but unproven.

FaZe must balance immediate results with future potential. Their next AWPer should not only bring firepower but also the right mentality to thrive within FaZe’s loose, flexible system. This decision will shape both their short-term success and the future of one of Counter-Strike’s most iconic teams.

Who Fits FaZe’s Style Best?

FaZe’s system under karrigan thrives on freedom, initiative, and mental resilience. The ideal AWPer must be aggressive when needed, adaptable to shifting roles, and strong under playoff pressure. S1mple and degster align well with this freedom but come with risks. Broky and headtr1ck offer stability but less explosive potential. R1nkle and Jambo could define FaZe’s next era—if the team is ready to invest in the future.

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