The latest episode of the Come Here podcast features a comprehensive examination of AWPing's role in Counter-Strike 2, with special guest btrams joining hosts Danish "Nohte" Allana and Harry "NER0" Richards.
btrams, recognized for his work providing data insights for BLAST broadcasts, helped explore whether the widespread belief that 2026 represents a downturn for AWPers holds up under scrutiny.
Despite snipers maintaining their presence in the Top 20 rankings—with at least two AWPers consistently appearing in the top five positions annually since 2018—the weapon class has faced notable challenges. The reduced magazine capacity and CS2's inherent peeker's advantage have created new obstacles for AWP players.
Modern Counter-Strike has also shifted away from flashy individual plays. The increased emphasis on utility usage and the introduction of MR12 format mean players often spend significant portions of rounds without access to their primary weapon, fundamentally changing how the AWP fits into team strategies.
While these arguments paint a concerning picture for AWP enthusiasts, the podcast team examined whether statistical evidence supports this narrative or if the community is being overly critical of today's snipers.
Fans can catch the full discussion on both Spotify and YouTube platforms.
