Gabriel Toledo, globally recognized by his in-game name FalleN, is not merely a veteran player in the competitive Counter-Strike scene; he is a living legend and an active leader, currently serving as the captain for FURIA Esports. With a career spanning multiple eras of the game, his perspective on team strength and dynamics is highly valued by fans and analysts alike.
Ahead of his participation in the upcoming FISSURE Playground #1 tournament, FalleN shared his personal assessment of the current state of top professional CS2 teams. He presented this evaluation in the form of a tier list, categorizing teams into distinct levels based on his analysis of their present form and potential.
FalleN`s ranking system employs three tiers: S, A, and B. The S-tier is reserved for the teams he believes are currently operating at the absolute pinnacle of competitive play. The A-tier encompasses strong contenders and established top-tier teams that, while highly competitive, are positioned just below the very peak in his current estimation. Finally, the B-tier includes solid professional rosters that are competitive within their bracket but perhaps lack the recent consistent deep runs at the largest international events.
According to FalleN`s assessment, the S-tier, representing the current elite, features a powerful collection of teams. This top category includes his own squad, FURIA, alongside other formidable names such as The Mongolz, MOUZ, Team Spirit, Team Falcons, Team Vitality, Astralis, and the reigning PGL Major Copenhagen champions, Natus Vincere (NAVI). Placing one`s own team in the highest tier certainly requires a degree of confidence, or perhaps simply a straightforward belief in their current capabilities and trajectory.
Moving down to the A-tier, FalleN listed several other prominent and highly respected organizations. Specifically mentioned in this tier were Virtus.pro, FaZe Clan, Aurora Gaming, and G2 Esports. FalleN indicated that this tier contained more teams than those explicitly listed. The presence of these renowned squads in the A-tier highlights the competitive depth at the top level, suggesting that while they might not be in his absolute top bracket *right now*, they remain significant threats capable of challenging any team on any given day.
Completing his personal ranking, the B-tier included the teams MIBR, Complexity Gaming, and M80. These rosters represent competitive forces within the professional circuit, often capable of challenging higher-ranked teams and making noise in various tournaments, even if they haven`t consistently reached the grand finals of the most elite events recently.
FalleN`s timing in releasing this tier list is notable, coinciding with his and FURIA`s participation in the FISSURE Playground #1 tournament. This LAN event is scheduled to take place from July 15th to 20th, 2025, in Belgrade, Serbia. The latter stages, specifically the playoffs, will be played in front of a live audience at The Blue Hall. Tournaments like these provide the ultimate proving ground for professional rankings, including personal ones from legendary players.
A tier list from a player with FalleN`s depth of experience offers a unique glimpse into the competitive psyche of the highest level of CS2. It provides fans and fellow competitors with a direct insight into how one of the game`s enduring figures perceives the current power balance, inevitably sparking discussion and building anticipation for the upcoming clashes where these subjective rankings will be put to the empirical test.
Jasper Hawthorne