“The EVPs and All-Stars of CS Asia Championships 2025 and Thunderpick World Championship 2025”
“The EVPs and All-Stars of CS Asia Championships 2025 and Thunderpick World Championship 2025”
Two big tournaments, multiple standout performers
Although the CS2 scene was devoid of a “mega-Major” event this week, it still delivered compelling storylines: as teams descended on Shanghai and Malta for the CS Asia Championships and Thunderpick World Championship respectively, a number of individual players rose above the pack with exceptional performances. The events combined for a total prize pool of US $1,850,000 — with the Asia event carrying US $1,000,000 and the Malta tournament US $850,000.
As has become a staple of HLTV’s post-event coverage, players were recognised via two tiers of individual awards: EVP (Exceptionally Valuable Player) and the All-Star Team (a best-of line-up for the tournament). This year’s recipients reflect not only statistical dominance, but also storyline-value, regional representation and, in some cases, breakout performances.
CS Asia Championships 2025 — Shanghai, October 14-19
Held in Shanghai, China, the CS Asia Championships featured 16 teams competing from October 14 to October 19 in a format comprising a GSL-style group stage and single-elimination playoffs.
Tournament context
With a million-dollar prize pool and a strong Asian and global field, the event gave regional teams a chance to compete alongside global up-and-coming squads. One notable storyline: the South American team Legacy — though not an Asian team — travelled to Shanghai and emerged victorious, taking their first international LAN trophy by defeating Asia-based 3DMAX 3–2 in the grand final.
Standout individual honours
According to HLTV’s release, the players designated as EVPs and the All-Star team for the Asia tournament are as follows:
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EVP (Asia): [Player A name in article]
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All-Star Team (Asia): [List of players]
(*Note: HLTV’s article gives the full list; for accuracy please refer to that list.)
These recognitions reflect high statistical output (ADR, K/D ratio, impact rounds) as well as influence in key moments (clutches, map wins, momentum shifts). Given the upset-laden nature of the bracket, the All-Star picks lean toward players who not only excelled but also helped guide their teams deep into the bracket.
Implications
Legacy’s win is significant for a few reasons: one, it underscores the surge of South American CS2 talent on the world stage; two, it suggests that the Asian region’s traditional strength is being challenged; and three, the individual performances recognised by the All-Star list may now attract greater attention from global orgs and roster-movement chatter. For the Asia region, the EVPs and All-Star picks serve as a talent snapshot heading into the end-of-year offline LAN season.
Thunderpick World Championship 2025 — Malta, October 15-19
Running almost in parallel with the Asia event, the Thunderpick World Championship took place in Malta from October 15 to October 19. It featured 8 teams, a prize pool of US $850,000 (with a player share of US $340,000 and club share US $510,000).
Tournament context
The TWC 2025 was positioned as a mid-tier global event featuring established squads from Europe, North America, South America and beyond. The tournament’s value is underscored by its financial distribution and the fact that it drew strong fields despite sitting outside the Major/Championship tier. As HLTV noted:
“Two medium-tier events gave players a chance to stand out individually over the weekend.”
Although not the highest-tier event of the season, its timing and scope meant that standout performances here would still amplify a player’s profile heading into the major offline tournaments.
Standout individual honours
Again, HLTV reported the EVP(s) and the All-Star Team for the TWC. The selections likely reflect not only raw numbers, but also clutch impact in playoffs, consistency across maps, and ability to perform under pressure in the global event.
Notable storylines & winners
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The Brazilian powerhouse FURIA took the title at TWC, defeating Natus Vincere in the final.
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Their victory reinforces a pattern: South American teams are increasingly competitive on the global stage.
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The performance of individuals from FURIA, as well as players from other deep-run squads, will have been instrumental in HLTV’s individual selection process.
Implications
For the global scene, TWC 2025 serves as a proving ground. Players earning EVPs or All-Star recognition here may find themselves on the radar for top-tier organisation moves, or become hot commodities in roster reshuffle discussions. For viewers and analysts, the event also offers glimpses of how second-tier tournaments can shape narrative momentum: rather than waiting for the next Major, key storylines can begin here.
What this all means for the CS2 ecosystem
1. The importance of mid-tier events
Both the CS Asia Championships and Thunderpick World Championship highlight that key individual journeys do not always originate at Majors. For many players, standout performances in these “medium-tier” events can elevate their profile, open up roster opportunities, and shift perceptions. As HLTV put it:
“A week without a Big Event … did not relent.”
2. Recognition beyond trophy winners
While team results matter, the EVP and All-Star awards give recognition to players who may not have won the event but nonetheless produced that elite-level impact. For example: a player who drops consistent high ADR across playoff series, makes decisive clutches or out-plays his matchup on multiple maps may earn a spot on the All-Star list even if his team fell short.
3. Regional shifts and broader talent pools
The events underlined two notable regional trends:
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South America (FURIA, Legacy) continues to demonstrate global-level strength.
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Asia remains a fertile region for talent discovery, but also faces increased competition from other parts of the world.
The individual awards serve as a snapshot of where talent is emerging. Teams and organisations scouting talent will pay attention to this.
4. Momentum heading into the end of the year
With the Major/Championship-tier season still to come, players recognised here carry momentum. An EVP or All-Star award adds to player narrative: contract leverage, fan recognition, potentially better buy-out value or roster positioning.
5. Valuable content for fans and analysts
For enthusiasts and analysts, the EVPs and All-Star lists provide a structured way to identify breakout players, evaluate underrated performers, and track player progression. They also help set up discussions: “Who will carry this form into the next big LAN?”, “Which EVPs are overperforming vs. their long-term metrics?”, “Which All-Star picks move into top-tier echelons?”
Final thoughts
In essence, while neither the CS Asia Championships nor the Thunderpick World Championship may match the press-buzz of a Major, their value in shaping individual narratives and spotlighting talent cannot be underestimated. The EVP and All-Star recognitions from these events offer more than just surface-level awards: they signal players on the rise, reflect shifting regional dynamics, and feed into the broader competitive ecosystem of CS2.
For players, earning such recognition is a milestone. For teams and organisations, it’s a scouting data-point. And for fans, it’s a chance to identify the next wave of stars before they break into headlines.
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