Every game has its standout players — the ones who consistently make the right picks and stay ahead of the competition. If you’ve been playing Powerplay, you’ve likely noticed some familiar names dominating the leaderboard. But who are these top managers?
We want to get to know our Powerplay community better, and what better way to start than by introducing our old friends — the early adopters and top fantasy managers who’ve been here since the beginning. These players have fine-tuned their strategies, stayed ahead of the game, and continue to set the pace each season.
Today, we’re kicking things off with ProfXander — a name you’ve likely seen at the top of the rankings. He’s here to share his journey with Counter-Strike and fantasy esports, reveal the strategies behind his success, and even drop a few secrets along the way.
Let’s dive into the interview and get to know ProfXander better!
How did you get into Counter-Strike? Have you been a fan for a long time?
I got into Counter-Strike towards the end of 2016. I followed OpTic Gaming's Call of Duty team. In one of the vlogs, they mentioned they got into the playoffs for ELEAGUE Season 2 in CS:GO. I watched the finals, they won, and I was hooked for life.
What got you into fantasy CS? Was it difficult to dive into at first, or did you pick it up quickly?
I first got into fantasy via the old HLTV Fantasy System. I remember it being pretty rough at first, but with time and consistency, I started to learn a lot pretty quickly.
Do you have any favorite teams or players in CS?
I have a lot of players I like — CeRq, cadiaN, NAF, just to name a few. My current favorite team is Liquid. For some reason, I've always liked NA teams more. I like to root for the underdog, I guess.
What’s been your favorite moment in CS2 so far?
I don't specifically like Na'Vi, but seeing them win the first CS2 Major was a beautiful moment.
You are one of our early adopters — you’ve been here since February 2023. How did you first discover Powerplay? Do you remember what drew you to it?
I've found a few different fantasy websites just from using Google to look for them, but I like Powerplay specifically for the system that's used. With other websites, you pick a team, and if they bomb out early, you lose instantly. But with the daily teams you can make here, you always have a chance to win, no matter which teams win or lose.
Did you build your Season 5 lineups with some strategy, or did you just follow your instincts?
I always use the same strategy — play safe and go consistent.
Was there a player who surprised you, either by overperforming or not meeting expectations?
I feel like in every event with lots of teams, there's always someone who overperforms, but it's very hard to predict. Teams like M80 can beat top teams, then other times look awful.
Is there a role or card in the game that you think more people should pay attention to?
I think the Sniper role is pretty strong. If you have m0NESY and ZywOo on your team, for example, ZywOo uses a rifle a lot more, so using the Sniper role on m0NESY is normally better.
Do you have any specific routine when setting up your lineup, or do you just go with the flow?
Sometimes it's super easy. For example, if a top 3 team gets to play vs. a top 30 team, I pick multiple players from the top 3 team. But if it's deep into playoffs, it can be a lot harder — looking at potential map pools, recent performances, roles, stats vs. top 5 teams, etc.
How has the Powerplay Premium subscription affected your gameplay experience, if at all?
I like the 3-day offer duration vs. the 1-day — it gives you more of a chance for a trade to go through.
If you could change, add, or remove one thing in Powerplay, what would it be?
Sometimes there are players who don't have cards, and pretty often, people don't offer or accept trades. So having a system to recycle cards that doesn't rely on other players would be amazing.
What’s your plan for Season 6? Any players or teams you’re keeping an eye on?
To be honest, I'll stick with the same strat — stay consistent and play it safe.
If you could create your dream CS2 team, who would be in it? (Retired players count too!)
It would be the Liquid superteam — cadiaN, Twistzz, Nertz, NAF, EliGE.
What’s the most memorable moment for you in CS, either as a fan or a player?
I attended ECS Season 5 Finals in London back in 2018 — that was amazing.
Any final thoughts you’d like to share or shoutouts to give?
Shoutout to Miz for creating such a welcoming community on Discord!
What does fantasy CS2 teach you?
Patience.
What advice would you give to beginners who are just starting their journey in fantasy?
Be patient.
How has playing fantasy CS2 changed the way you watch and enjoy CS matches?
It makes me more aware of players' roles and which maps they tend to perform better on.
What common mistakes do you think beginners make in fantasy, and how can they avoid them?
I can't speak for other players, but I wasn't super aware of the roles and how they all worked. Looking at the rules and understanding how to optimize those is a good thing to do early.
What’s one tip or strategy you wish someone had told you when you first started playing fantasy CS2?
Focus less on the player you're picking and more on which teams are playing vs. bad teams. They will get you good points.
Do you think fantasy CS2 helps build a stronger connection with the CS2 community? If so, how?
Yes, it does for sure. It just gives people another thing to talk about.
Has fantasy CS2 influenced the way you interact with the CS2 community? If so, in what ways?
It has influenced the way I interact with people, mainly because I've paid closer attention to games knowing my fantasy team is on the line.
What’s been the most rewarding part of playing fantasy CS2 for you — winning, learning about players, or something else?
Winning prizes is always nice, of course, but I've learned so much about the game via fantasy. Learning about roles, which players have different levels of impact on certain maps, etc.
Join our Powerplay community!
Big thanks to ProfXander for sharing his journey and strategies! His success proves that smart picks and consistency make all the difference. If you want to ask him questions, join us on Discord, he's already there!
Who do you want to see featured next in our Powerplay Leaderboard Spotlight? Let us know in the Discord community as well!
Our cozy server is home to fantasy managers who discuss strategies, share insights, and connect over their love for Counter-Strike. It’s all about respect, fun, and competition — you’re warmly welcome!
Join now and be part of the action!
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