In a major roster twist, Counter-Strike 2 icon Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyliev has officially joined FaZe Clan on loan, replacing broky just ahead of IEM Dallas and the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025. Announced on May 5, 2025, this move has ignited massive buzz in the CS2 community, with fans across social platforms celebrating the return of the player widely considered the greatest of all time.
A New Chapter for s1mple
s1mple has been benched by NAVI since his loan spell with Team Falcons ended in late 2024. With his return, FaZe Clan has secured one of the most impactful players in CS history, and he is set to appear in two major tournaments—IEM Dallas and the Austin Major (June 3–22).
This move follows FaZe’s recent roster reshuffling: ropz departed for Team Vitality in January, with EliGE stepping into the lineup shortly after. With veterans like rain and karrigan still in the mix, FaZe Clan now has one of the most formidable and experienced rosters in CS2.
Implications for the CS2 Meta
s1mple’s aggressive AWPing and game sense bring a new dimension to FaZe’s tactical options. His arrival comes right as ZywOo recently overtook s1mple in MVPs—earning his 22nd at ESL Pro League Season 21. Now, s1mple has a new opportunity to reassert his dominance and tilt the ongoing GOAT debate in his favor.
With FaZe’s structure and s1mple’s leadership, this roster has the potential to reshape the competitive landscape. All eyes are on how quickly he adapts—and how far FaZe can go with him onboard.
Market Impact: Skins, Stickers, and Hype
s1mple doesn’t just influence matches—he influences the market. Historically, his presence in high-stakes tournaments has driven interest and prices for AWP skins, particularly the Dragon Lore. With the CS2 market already valued at $4.3 billion and record player counts in early 2025, s1mple’s return is likely to spike demand for AWP skins and FaZe Clan stickers.
At CSMarketCap, our Trade-Up Simulator and AWP price tracker can help you stay ahead of the curve—especially with new inventory hype building toward the Austin Major.
What’s Next?
The countdown to IEM Dallas has begun, and FaZe fans are eager to see how s1mple fits into the team’s system. Can he rise back to #1? Will FaZe finally secure another Major title?
Whether you're here for the plays or the price shifts, one thing is clear: s1mple’s return is the biggest CS2 storyline of 2025 so far.
