Gabriel `FalleN` Toledo, the seasoned captain of FURIA Esports and one of Counter-Strike`s most respected figures, has offered his perspective on the current state of the professional CS2 scene. Ahead of the upcoming FISSURE Playground #1 tournament, FalleN shared his personal tier list, categorizing top teams based on their recent performance and perceived strength.
Employing a three-tier system (S, A, and B), FalleN provided a snapshot of the competitive hierarchy as he sees it. The top echelon, his S-tier, represents the teams he believes are currently at the pinnacle of performance. This list includes his own squad, FURIA, alongside prominent teams such as The Mongolz, MOUZ, Team Spirit, Team Falcons, Team Vitality, Astralis, and the reigning Major champions, Natus Vincere (NAVI). A collection representing peak current form in his estimation.
Stepping down slightly, the A-tier encompasses a larger group of competitive squads. According to FalleN, teams in this category include Virtus.pro, FaZe Clan, Aurora Gaming, and G2 Esports, among others not explicitly listed. Notably, this tier includes teams widely considered powerhouses in the scene, suggesting that while still elite, FalleN perhaps views them as slightly less dominant than his S-tier selections at this specific moment. One might perceive a touch of irony in seeing some consistently top-ranked teams placed here by a direct competitor.
Finally, the B-tier identifies teams FalleN sees as slightly below the top contenders but still significant players in the professional circuit. The teams he placed in this tier are MIBR, Complexity Gaming, and M80.
It`s crucial to view this list through the lens of a competitive player actively involved in the scene. A tier list, especially one shared publicly by a figure like FalleN, is not an objective ranking but rather a subjective assessment based on observation, practice, and recent match performance. It is a snapshot in time, reflecting the dynamic nature of competitive Counter-Strike 2.
The timing of this release is particularly interesting, as FalleN himself is set to compete with FURIA at the upcoming FISSURE Playground #1 tournament. This event, scheduled to run from July 15 to 20, 2025, will be held on LAN in Belgrade, Serbia, with playoff matches open to a live audience in The Blue Hall. The tournament will provide an immediate battleground where these very rankings can be tested and potentially proven or disproven.
Whether this list accurately reflects the current balance of power across the vast CS2 landscape remains to be seen. However, receiving such an opinion from a legend like FalleN offers valuable insight into the mindset of top competitors as they prepare for the next wave of professional tournaments. Upcoming events, including FISSURE Playground #1, will provide the ultimate test of these perceived strengths.
