Top 5 players to watch on Cache's return

The long-awaited return of Cache has finally arrived.

The map looks prettier than ever, and it’s actually changed very little from its GO version. That puts it in a unique position where we can go back and look at what pros were undeniable on the map.

So, for this article, we combine historical data of Cache and a bit of our eye test to crown a top 5 to watch.

What we specifically watched out for are riflers with incredible aim fundamentals. Not just stars, but the people who aim at heads and get efficient kills. The reason we chose to watch for that is that, in CS:GO, that player archetype performed best on Cache.

Mind you, these aren’t our predictions for this year's best Cache players; this is simply a fun guide to who you should keep an eye on as this map returns to rotation.

An honorable mention goes to donk; he fits the map's profile perfectly, but he can’t have everything, so he’s not on this list.

#1 - NiKo

Thumbnail of this article for a reason: NiKo is a king returning to his palace.

In GO, the two best Cache players in tier 1 were NiKo and coldzera. At MVP-eligible events, their stats are functionally identical, placing them #2 and #1, respectively. Unlike NiKo, coldzera’s retired, meaning he can’t feature on this list. So NiKo will get all the praise as the best oldhead Cache player still standing.

His aim has always been in the upper echelons amongst even his peers, no better exemplified by his iconic deagle clip on this map.

To make Cache's return even sweeter for NiKo, it’s replacing Overpass. A map he’s historically not played very often, and is Falcons’ current permaban. Valve has essentially buffed the Major champions.

karrigan’s unique calling also suits Cache down to a T. Further strengthening NiKo and Falcons’ case on this map.

You can probably see why NiKo was a shoo-in for #1 on our list.

#2 - Twistzz

In GO, when cold was #1 and NiKo was #2, the amazing Van Dulken was the one looking up in #3.

Twistzz’s incredible fundamentals have always been a feature of his game. So, back in the day, when he was at the zenith of his rifling, Cache was, unsurprisingly, his playground. He shone for Liquid any time they played the map.

Strengthening his case is that he’s actually already played a game of Cache.

He led FaZe in a BO3 decider on the map against EYEBALLERS this week at XSE Pro League. He led them not just as their leader, but also in the fragging department. Seemingly picking up his GO form, dropping 18 kills in 16 rounds at 118 ADR. FaZe won the map comfortably and qualified for the XSE Playoffs.

Taking that as a sign of things to come for him and FaZe, he is a deserving #2 on this list.

#3 - flameZ

A player that doesn’t actually have a past on Cache, yet still deserves his spot.

flameZ became important at work this year, looking like a top-3 player candidate in the early season. He’s leveled off a bit since then, but so have all of Vitality. If they intend to return to dominating, they have to leverage this map with flameZ at the helm.

Assuming we see the same player we saw earlier this year.

If we do, the combination of his aim, apEX’s utility, and his gamesense will prove deadly on Cache. This should become a go-to map for them. Cache is extremely puggy, and Vitality excel on those maps because, with the exception of maybe Falcons, no team matches their man-for-man talent.

This is obviously a projection, but we still think flameZ warrants the #3 spot on the list.

#4 - XANTARES

The man who defined the aimer archetype in GO, XANTARES.

If you were to simply look at every LAN in CS:GO with top 50 teams in attendance, XANTARES would be the highest-rated player on Cache. The problem with that is that GO was, at times, very top-heavy in ways CS2 isn’t at the moment.

Still, you can’t ignore the Turkish Terminators’ output on Cache at the time.

The reason he isn’t higher on this list is purely that he’s no longer the same player he used to be. Sure, no one from GO stayed the same, but he has taken a bigger step back. You no longer see XANTARES peeks like you did during his prime.

That shouldn’t take away from the fact he’s still an aimer though.

With Aurora’s new look, and XANTARES’ undeniable mechanical ability, they will be a must-watch worthy of #4 on this list.

#5 - s1mple

The only player to break our archetype in this entire article, s1mple has always been one of one.

You can’t make a Cache list without mentioning him. He got a graffiti on the bloody map. The only thing working against him is his relatively small sample size. But if you ignored that, he’s technically the highest-rated Cache player on LAN in CS:GO.

Okay, sure, if you sort by top 50 he vanishes, but you still have to respect s1mple; just look at the clip, man.

This does rely on BC.Game becoming a team worth watching. Signing Magisk is a great start, but we don’t yet know who their fifth is. So for this one, we’re operating under the assumption that they’ll sign someone good.

Maybe a far cry given BC.Game’s recent history, but still enough to land s1mple #5.