Mauisnake Ranks the Best CS2 IGLs of 2025: apEX Takes No.1, chopper Placed 7th

CS2 analyst and caster Alex “Mauisnake” Ellenberg has released his final ranking of the best in-game leaders (IGLs) of 2025, sparking debate across the Counter-Strike community. The list evaluates captains not by reputation alone, but by measurable impact, with a strong emphasis on T-side performance, roster strength, and results relative to expectations.

The ranking arrives amid ongoing discussions about leadership in CS2, especially after a turbulent second half of the season for several top teams, including Team Spirit, FaZe, and Astralis.

How Mauisnake Ranked CS2 IGLs in 2025

Mauisnake explained that his methodology prioritizes:

T-side round win percentage (key metric)

Roster quality vs achieved results

Tactical structure and mid-round calling

Individual fragging, but with limited weight

According to the analyst, strong T sides best reflect the real influence of an IGL, as CT sides are often more system-driven.

Top 10 Best CS2 IGLs of 2025

🥇 1. apEX (Vitality) — 54.1% T-side win rate

The Vitality captain tops the list thanks to elite structure, adaptability, and consistent results at the highest level. Under apEX, Vitality remained one of the most disciplined and resilient teams in CS2.

🥈 2. Aleksib (NAVI) — 51.1%

Aleksib’s tactical approach and strong mid-rounds helped NAVI outperform expectations in multiple events, solidifying his place among the best IGLs of the year.

🥉 3. FalleN (FURIA) — 52.1%

Despite mixed results, FalleN’s leadership and calling efficiency on T side kept FURIA competitive against top-tier opposition.

4. kyxsan (Falcons) — 52.1%

A breakout year for kyxsan, whose structured approach elevated Falcons beyond pre-season expectations.

5. bLitz (The MongolZ) — 51.3%

One of the most praised IGLs outside Europe, bLitz once again proved that disciplined calling can close the gap between regions.

6. karrigan (FaZe) — 50.0%

Even in a transitional year, karrigan’s experience and leadership kept FaZe relevant in big matches.

7. chopper (Spirit) — 53.0%

Despite an excellent T-side win rate, chopper lands only seventh. Mauisnake weighed Spirit’s exceptional individual firepower, especially donk, which slightly lowered chopper’s relative impact score.

8. lux (Legacy) — 47.3%

9. JT (Passion UA) — 49.5%

10. HooXi (Astralis) — 46.3%

Why chopper’s 7th Place Sparked Debate

Team Spirit’s captain chopper became the most discussed name on the list. While his 53.0% T-side win rate is among the highest, Mauisnake argued that Spirit’s success is partially driven by raw talent rather than leadership alone.

Following Spirit’s elimination at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, chopper openly criticized his own calling, admitting problems with T-side control on Mirage. At the same time, he emphasized Spirit’s youth and lack of major expectations — a statement that resonated with fans defending his ranking.

Notably, donk has repeatedly praised chopper’s calling, previously stating that his IGL’s decisions at top-tier events were “insane,” reinforcing the idea that statistics alone don’t tell the full story.

Related CS2 News: Leadership Under the Microscope

Mauisnake’s Top-20 Players of 2025 crowned donk as the best player in the world, ahead of ZywOo and ropz, further highlighting Spirit’s reliance on superstar performance.

The analyst briefly suggested reopening discussions about Spirit’s leadership structure before clarifying that there is no clear upgrade available.

donk himself addressed criticism of Spirit’s results, warning fans not to overvalue statistics and reminding that numbers often fail to capture in-game reality.

Final Thoughts

Mauisnake’s Best CS2 IGLs of 2025 ranking reinforces one clear idea:
👉 Strong T sides, realistic expectations, and consistent structure matter more than raw fragging.

While apEX and Aleksib dominated the top of the list, chopper’s seventh place shows how context and roster strength can heavily influence leadership evaluations in modern CS2.