Ever wondered why so many of today’s crosshairs are T-shaped? What about dot crosshairs? What even is a crosshair?
A crosshair is a reference tool for tracking opponents, encompassing three fundamental components: movement, spray, and alignment (relative to the player model and distance).
While many players can identify a crosshair that best suits them, it's crucial to understand their underlying mechanisms and one's surroundings. Doing so may help you find a better crosshair, make improvements, or simply keep your current one.
That said, let’s dive into a handful of examples. And what better way to do so than seeing what some of the pros offer?
15. electroNic
Background
electroNic is a Russian CS2 rifler for Virtus.pro. From 2018 to 2021, he secured a top 10 spot by HLTV. And in 2020, he earned MVP (HLTV) from the ICE Challenge.
His total earnings stand at approximately $1,600,000 (CS:GO and CS2 combined).
Currently, electronNic owns a 1.11 KDR, 82.1 ADR, 1.08 OKR (Opening Kill Ratio), and a ~ 64% 1v1 clutch rate.
Crosshair Analysis
Similar to many crosshairs, electroNic uses something small. To improve visibility, players frequently incorporate a vibrant color or augment the crosshair's thickness. In this situation, it’s both. Notice, however, that the middle gap remains quite visible. Some players use this gap to peer into their opponents or establish a clear line of sight. While many crosshairs have fairly unnoticeable gaps (usually at longer distances), electroNic’s doesn’t.
At short distances, the crosshair aligns toward the center of the head. At mid-ranges, the crosshair covers most of the head. And at long ranges, the crosshair covers about 90% to 100% of the head.
In terms of movement and spray, it's relatively easy to spot, especially when placed on the opponent's head. The bright green color and thickness also increase its visibility. It maintains a balanced size, minimizing some distractions while potentially making recoil patterns easier to follow. Recall that smaller crosshairs often overlap more efficiently within the player model without over-extending (outside the head or body, for example).
What's Good About electroNic's Crosshair
Overall transparency (bright color and thickness)
Fairly compact (small size)
Clear line of sight (small middle gap)
Fairly transparent follow-through (spray/movement)
Cons
May be too small
Gap might be distracting
Not as compact, given the middle gap
Crosshair Code
CSGO-JhUdT-jiNCr-3nR9L-FGkvC-c2D7K
Crosshair Settings
Style: Classic Static
Follow Recoil: No
Center Dot: 0
Length: 1.5
Thickness: 1
Gap: -3
Outline: No
Color: Green
T style: No
Deployed Weapon Gap: No
14. device
Background
device, a Danish AWPer, secured four majors (e.g., StarLadder Major Berlin 2019) and two MVPs (e.g., IEM FALL 2021 Europe) during his five-year tenure with Astralis and NIP. Except for 2022 (mostly inactive), from 2015 to 2023, HLTV ranked him near the top 5-10 for best player. Yet in late 2022, he re-signed with Astralis, playing with them since.
As a CS:GO and CS2 player, he’s earned about $2,037,000 in prize money!
His current stats are pretty solid, with a KDR of 1.25, ADR of ~ 80, OKR of 1.44, and 1v1 clutch rate close to 57%.
Crosshair Analysis
device maintains a fairly compact crosshair, despite a small middle gap. Interestingly, at long ranges, the lines appear interconnected. This optical illusion can be attributed to the tendency of our minds to fill in gaps to recognize similar or meaningful patterns. What does this have to do with CS2? Well, it suggests that a more compact crosshair or one that reflects a similar pattern may be easier to recognize, visualize, and track, even if it isnt fully connected.
Aside from that, the crosshair stands out thanks to its bright yellow color and head-sized shape.
At short ranges, the crosshair primarily covers the top of the head. At mid-ranges, it often encompasses the head entirely, resembling a grappling claw. At long ranges, the crosshair envelops the head and occasionally extends slightly towards the, "ears.”
In this scenario, it resembles a grappling claw with a hole in the middle. This idea of a grappling claw may in turn help players get more headshots as it latches onto the opponent's head.
What’s Good About device’s Crosshair
Small and compact
Bright yellow color increases visibility
Easy to track recoil patterns
Fairly easy to track movement
Replica of the opponent’s head (size)
Cons
Too small for some users
Greater difficulty tracking movement compared to larger crosshairs
Fairly thin; decreased visibility
Crosshair Code
CSGO-tFzAW-ZFVFV-RGKNs-BetCE-ZB3YP
Crosshair Settings
Style: Classic Static
Follow Recoil: No
Center Dot: 0
Length: 2
Thickness: 0
Gap: -3
Outline: No
Color: yellow
T style: No
Deployed Weapon Gap: No
13. sh1ro
Background
Team Spirit's CS2 Russian AWPer, sh1ro, secured the 4th, 3rd, and 8th best player HLTV rank during 2021-2023, alongside MVP of multiple tournaments. All this began when he started playing at only 5 years old!
His professional career in CS and CS2 has earned him approximately $748,000.
Currently, sh1ro holds a 1.44 KDR, 78.3 ADR, 1.94 OKR, and a ~ 65% 1v1 clutch rate.
Crosshair Analysis
Similar to donk, sh1ro uses a very small, but effective crosshair for headshots, matching its size almost perfectly across various distances. While his crosshair is much thinner than donk’s, sh1ro offers a more vibrant color to offset most visual impairments. Furthermore, some players prefer a thin crosshair to minimize distractions.
At short distances, the opponent's forehead gets covered by the crosshair, while at mid-ranges, it overlaps with most of the head. At long ranges, the crosshair aligns almost perfectly with the head. Additionally, from mid to long ranges, there appears to be no middle gap.
The crosshair's size and color make it relatively easy to track movement. However, for some, seeing it might be challenging due to its thinness, size, or both.
Spraying with it presents the same pros and cons.
What’s Good About sh1ro’s Crosshair
Compact (small size)
Overall Transparency (vibrant color)
Fairly transparent follow-through (spray/movement)
Replica of the opponent’s head (size)
Cons
Too small
Too thin
Crosshair Code
CSGO-qcZVL-fXizj-4CvYi-LbxXi-Mv5qB
Crosshair Settings
Style: Classic Static
Follow Recoil: No
Center Dot: 0
Length: 2
Thickness: 0
Gap: -3
Outline: No
Color: Green
T style: No
Deployed Weapon Gap: No
12. HObbit
Background
HObbit is a Kazahstani rifler for Cloud9 (or at least on their roster). In 2021, HLTV ranked him the 6th best player, alongside MVP of EPIC CIS League Spring and Blast Premier Spring Finals. In-game, he’s typically known for his calm and collected demeanor.
His total earnings thus far amount to roughly ~$859,000.
Currently, he owns a 1.09 KDR, 79.3 ADR, 1.05 OKR, and ~62% 1v1 clutch rate.
Crosshair Analysis
At first glance, HObbit's crosshair looks like a shining star. However, a closer look reveals a continuous T-shaped crosshair, maintaining the size of a dot. Given its fairly bright teal color, the crosshair is also lively and unique. Moreover, with its small size, over-extensions are virtually nonexistent; meaning it consistently stays within the boundaries of the opponent's head, rather than shifting towards the shoulders or arms. As a result, its compact shape exhibits remarkable consistency across various distances.
At short ranges, the crosshair covers the center of the forehead; at mid ranges, the crosshair covers the forehead; at long ranges, the crosshair covers the head without over-extending (again, these are approximations).
For tracking movement, the crosshair is fairly easy to spot, thanks to its vivid teal color and compact shape. Nonetheless, it’s quite small.
For spraying, the crosshair is arguably much better compared to tracking movement, given its miniature size.
What’s Good About HObbit’s Crosshair
Compact
Unique teal color
Fairly easy to track recoil patterns
Stays within the confines of an opponent’s head
Cons
Too small
Greater difficulty tracking movement/enemies
Crosshair Code
CSGO-CQmcv-K4JtY-OuSMh-LCejE-z5VeL
Crosshair Settings
Style: Classic Static
Follow Recoil: No
Center Dot: Yes
Length: 1
Thickness: 0
Gap: -4
Outline: No
Color: teal
T style: No
Deployed Weapon Gap: No
11. Jimpphat
Background
At only the age of 12, Finnish rifler Jimpphat participated in his first official HLTV match. He then began his tier 1 career with MOUZ at 17. Despite his young age (17), Jimpphat is often commended for his quick reflexes and strategic plays.
So far, he’s earned about $242,500 from playing CS:GO and CS2.
At the moment, Jimpphats holds a 1.21 KDR, 79.5 ADR, 1.13 OKR, and roughly a 66% 1v1 clutch rate.
Crosshair Analysis
Jimpphat uses a small, but vibrant and compact crosshair. It's sized in a way that rarely exceeds the enemy's head size. Additionally, white crosshairs offer better visibility against black or darker backgrounds. Interestingly, the crosshair resembles the directional d-pad of a PS2 controller.
At short ranges, the crosshair tends to cover the center of the forehead; at mid ranges, the crosshair tends to cover most of the face, and at long ranges, the crosshair tends to cover the face completely while over-extending a bit.
The crosshair is easy to spot for tracking movement thanks to its white “color” and compact size. Although, the overall size might be an issue for some.
The crosshair is also highly visible for tracking sprays or recoil patterns based on the reasons listed above.
What’s Good About Jimpphat’s Crosshair
Compact
Vibrant, but sturdy “color”
Easy to track recoil patterns
Fairly easy to track movement
Often aligns well with the opponent’s head
Cons
Too small
Greater difficulty tracking opponents
Crosshair Code
CSGO-4a954-cxOkF-KtWjh-BMsLR-HiTiA
Crosshair Settings
Style: Classic Static
Follow Recoil: No
Center Dot: No
Length: 1
Thickness: 1
Gap: -4
Outline: No
Color: White
T style: No
Deployed Weapon Gap: No
10. XANTARES
Background
XANTARES is a Turkish-Macedonian rifler for Eternal Fire. In 2020, he was the MVP of DreamHack Open Summer by HLTV. More notably perhaps, XANTARES garners recognition for his crisp aim and high headshot rate.
So far, he’s earned about $500,000 from CS and CS2 combined.
His current KDR stands at 1.20. He also owns an ADR of 89.2, OKR of 1.29, and a ~60% 1v1 clutch rate.
Crosshair Analysis
XANTARES's crosshair stands out due to its large middle gap, which stays consistent at short, middle, and long ranges. While this might seem obvious, some crosshairs possess significantly smaller middle gaps that become challenging to see at mid or long ranges; appearing as continuous. On top of that, the gap may go unnoticed subconsciously.
As mentioned earlier, some players use a middle gap to improve their line of sight. In XANTARES's case, his crosshair not only effectively covers the opponent's head, but also includes markers (so to speak) pointing in that direction.
In fact, T-shaped crosshairs, in general, aim to draw players' attention toward the center or middle. Although the lines don’t actually point in one specific direction, our minds naturally seek patterns in objects or things. In this case, the lines appear to converge towards the center because they all seemingly lead in one direction rather than diverge. There may be other reasons as to why this is, however.
At short distances, the crosshair tends to cover the opponent’s forehead. At mid-ranges, the crosshair tends to cover the opponent’s head while over-extending (outside the head). At long ranges, the crosshair tends to cover the opponent’s head while greatly over-extending; although it’s as if the lines were markers pointing towards the center or enemy’s head.
For movement, the crosshair is fairly easy to track despite its thinness. Instead, the bright green color and large middle gap increase its visibility.
For spraying, it may be difficult to follow the recoil pattern given its large size. It's important to note the distinction between spraying on a wall versus on a player model as they’re visually different.
While the former is generally easier, the player model adds another layer of complexity. And as previously stated, larger crosshairs frequently extend outside the player model, making spraying or recoil control more challenging for some. However, users can still make adjustments over time.
What’s Good About XANTARES’s Crosshair
Large gap (better line of sight, for some)
Gap also tends to mimic the size of the opponent’s head
Bright green color
Improved visibility for tracking movement
Crosshair lines act as markers, pointing towards one direction or the opponent’s head (most t-shaped crosshair’s already do this, but XANTARES crosshair really illustrates this point due to the size of the gap)
Cons
Too big for some
Trouble spraying, or following recoil patterns due to its large size
Too thin; decreased visibility
Big gaps may be too distracting; less compact overall
Crosshair Code
CSGO-m9emD-M7m5P-4wib8-DnX2W-Bkb3K
Crosshair Settings
Style: Classic Static
Follow Recoil: No
Center Dot: 0
Length: 3
Thickness: 0.5
Gap: 0 (certain negative values remove the gap)
Outline: No
Color: Green
T style: No
Deployed Weapon Gap: No
9. jL
Background
jL is a Lithuanian rifler for Natus Vincere. In 2019, he started playing CS professionally, working his way up to the Mad Lions, Apex, and eventually, NAVI. Although his achievements are limited, jL is steadily progressing and rising with his team; beating G2 2:0 in the Blast Premier: Spring Groups 2024 (shared 1st-4th place) with an overall HLTV rating above 1.10 this year. Given his short time with NAVI, and s1mple inactive (for now), jL shows promise as an everyday player.
Given his young career, jL’s earned roughly $240,000 from CS:GO and CS2.
As for overall stats, jL currently holds a 1.09 KDR, 78.7 ADR, 1.07 OKR, and a whopping ~70% 1v1 clutch rate.
Crosshair Analysis
Despite being small, the crosshair stands out with its cyan color, compact shape, and thick layer. Upon closer inspection, it surprisingly looks like a PS2 controller d-pad. The middle gap, though subtle, doesn't present itself as a moving dot; instead, from a distance, it takes on the appearance of a diamond shape. Users may occasionally spot the gap, as it offers a line of sight.
Unlike T-shaped crosshairs, dot, square, or diamond-shaped crosshairs often mimic the size and shape of an opponent’s head (not just one). This, in turn, can help a player’s headshot rate.
From short distances, the crosshair tends to cover a very small spot on the opponent’s forehead. From mid ranges, the crosshair covers most, if not all of the head. From long ranges, the crosshair often aligns completely with the head. Keep in mind that these are approximations, but you’re welcome to try them out!
For tracking movement, the crosshair is fairly visible thanks to its compact shape and cyan color. On the flip side, it may be too small.
For tracking sprays or recoil patterns, the crosshair is also fairly visible thanks to its size, compact shape, and simple design.
What’s Good About jL’s Crosshair
Thick and compact
Unique cyan color
Middle gap may provide a line of sight
Fairly easy to track sprays
Not only does it align with the opponent’s head well, but also takes on its shape
Cons
Too small for some users
Greater difficulty tracking movement, compared to a bigger crosshair (and subsequently, greater difficulty tracking enemies)
Crosshair Code
CSGO-5RmNW-hPUGL-NWm8U-5nhUv-JTDND
Crosshair Settings
Style: Classic Static
Follow Recoil: No
Center Dot: No
Length: 1
Thickness: 1
Gap: -4
Outline: No
Color: Cyan
T style: No
Deployed Weapon Gap: No
8. xertioN
Background
xertioN plays for MOUZ as an Israeli rifler. At only 19, he’s demonstrated a high level of consistency with exceptional aim. With a solid KDR and 2.0 rating, one could see why. He and MOUZ also won the ESL Pro League 18 tournament in 2023.
So far, he's earned about $316,000 playing CS:GO and CS2 professionally.
At the moment, xertioN owns a 1.05 KDR, ~80 ADR, ~1.00 OKR, and roughly a 60% 1v1 clutch rate.
Crosshair Analysis
Aside from a dark blue color, the crosshair’s moderate gap and fairly large size stand out. In fact, the middle gap is quite visible, as if users were peering into a window or had tunnel vision.
From short distances, the crosshair covers the center of the forehead. From mid-ranges, the crosshair aligns with the opponent’s head almost perfectly. From long ranges, the crosshair covers the head, but often extends to the shoulders.
For tracking movement, the crosshair is easily spotted on lighter backgrounds. As it moves towards the enemy, the middle gap leads the way, serving as a subtle reminder to aim for the head.
While the crosshair is highly visible, the gap may be distracting nonetheless.
What’s Good About xertioN’s Crosshair
Unique dark blue color
Middle gap may give, “tunnel vision”
Fairly easy to track movement
Cons
Too big
A gap this size may be too distracting
Dark blue is harder to see on darker backgrounds
Difficulty tracking spray
Crosshair Code
CSGO-NYm83-9iobB-T2J4X-7M4HR-fFu8O
Crosshair Settings
Style: Classic Static
Follow Recoil: No
Center Dot: No
Length: 2
Thickness: 1
Gap: -2
Outline: 1
Color: Dark Blue
T style: No
Deployed Weapon Gap: No
7. frozen
Background
In 2023, HLTV ranked frozen as the 12th best player. Additionally, he was the MVP of Flashpoint Season 3 (HLTV).
As a Slovak rifler for FaZe, frozen has amassed approximately $600,000 in earnings from both CS:GO and CS2.
At the moment, he owns a 1.18 KDR, 82.8 ADR, 1.13 OKR, and ~58% 1v1 clutch rate.
Crosshair Analysis
Frozen's crosshair catches players’ attention with its relatively large size. Although larger crosshairs often extend beyond an opponent's head, they offer better visibility compared to smaller ones. Therefore, they’re often more effective for tracking movement and may act as a grappling claw for some (latching onto an opponent's head).
Interestingly, larger crosshairs can also offer a more noticeable middle gap or center point. This in turn, may provide players with an improved line of sight.
At short distances, the crosshair covers the opponent’s forehead fairly well. At mid-distances, the crosshair covers the head well, but extends outside a bit. And at long ranges, the crosshair covers the head completely, but extends near the player model’s shoulders.
As aforementioned, for some players, a bigger crosshair helps with tracking enemies by improving visibility. For some, however, it may be too big of a distraction.
Regarding spray, players can often track the crosshair with some adjustments. As the player sprays left, right, and down, it extends outside the confines of the player model more frequently. For some players, however, it's too distracting.
What’s Good About frozen’s Crosshair
Transparency (larger size and bright color)
Tracking movement (larger size)
Line of sight or focal point (small gap)
Increased visibility toward the center
Compact
Cons
Too big
Greater difficulty spraying given its size
Greater difficulty executing headshots when it over-extends
Too thin
Gap isn't always noticeable
Crosshair Code
CSGO-9Wfur-Spe6Q-rCZLn-mvth5-zHnfO
Crosshair Settings
Style: Classic Static
Follow Recoil: No
Center Dot: 0
Length: 4
Thickness: 0
Gap: -2
Outline: No
Color: Green
T style:
Deployed Weapon Gap: No
6. karrigan
Background
Karrigan (Danish) was a founding member of Astralis in 2015. Eventually, he moved on to Mousesports and FaZe, playing for the latter since. At the age of 32, karrigan won his first CS:GO Major (PGL Major Antwerp 2022), becoming the oldest player to do so. Besides IGL, he serves as an everyday rifler.
Furthermore, karrigan is considered one of the best in-game leaders of all time, winning the IGL of the year (panel award) in 2022.
Despite his mediocre stats this year, karrigan offers ample experience, solid play-calling, and other intangible benefits. Ideally, captains perform as well, if not better than their teammates statistically. However, this may not be the case due to their additional support role (e.g. sacrificing oneself, lurking for the team, etc).
So far, karrigan’s earned about $1,960,000 playing CS:GO and CS2.
For the time being, karrigan owns a .89 KDR, ~68 ADR, ~.80 OKR, and a ~60% 1v1 clutch rate.
Crosshair Analysis
Despite its small middle gap, the crosshair appears interconnected while moving across the map, resulting in a more compact design. However, when aiming at an opponent from shorter distances, the gap becomes slightly more visible, occasionally acting as a line of sight. Surprisingly, from afar, the gap is almost non-existent. With or without the gap, the crosshair attracts attention because of its moderate size, compactness, and pleasant green color.
From short distances, the crosshair often covers the forehead or center of the forehead; from mid ranges, the crosshair aligns with the head almost, if not completely; at longer distances, the crosshair tends to extend outside of the head.
For tracking movement, the crosshair is highly visible due to its color and size. It’s also fairly compact despite a small middle gap.
Tracking sprays can be more challenging with the crosshair as it frequently deviates from the confines of the player model.
What’s Good About karrigan’s Crosshair
Compact
Lively green color
Moderate size
Easy to track movement and opponents
Cons
Too big for some players
Difficulty spraying with
Crosshair Code
CSGO-yfcfw-3ehpF-6xj4X-PvrDQ-Rx6KQ
Crosshair Settings
Style: Classic Static
Follow Recoil: No
Center Dot: No
Length: 3.5
Thickness: 1
Gap: -3
Outline: No
Color: Bright Green
T style: No
Deployed Weapon Gap: No
5. gla1ve
Background
gla1ve, well known for his time with Astralis, is a Danish in-game leader and rifler for ENCE.
Earlier in his career, gla1ve led Astralis to achieve four record-breaking major victories, including three consecutive ones. While his performance isn’t as strong as it used to be, gla1ve manifests remarkable consistency and offers teams plenty of experience.
With Source, CS:GO and CS2 combined, gla1ve’s earned roughly $1,905,000.
So far this year, he owns a .99 KDR, 73.6 ADR, .095 OKR, and a 1v1 clutch rate of ~62%.
Crosshair Analysis
gla1ve offers a fairly small, but compact and lively crosshair. A small middle gap exists, but occasionally, it’s unnoticeable at mid-range(s). While it may be difficult to establish a clear line of sight, the gap is wide enough to see through. Instead of pointing toward the opponent’s head, however, it often directs users' attention toward the forehead. This, in turn, may give users better precision over time. Furthermore, a layer of thickness is added to the vivid green color, increasing its visibility.
At short ranges, the crosshair usually aligns with the forehead or center of it; at mid ranges, the crosshair aligns with most of the opponent’s head, if not all; at long ranges, the crosshair usually covers the opponent's head completely, with the middle gap gravitating users’ attention toward the center.
For tracking movement, the crosshair is surprisingly visible, thanks to a combination of thickness and color.
For tracking recoil patterns, it’s also highly transparent given the reasons listed above.
What’s Good About gla1ve’s Crosshair
Overall transparency (color and thickness)
Fairly easy to track movement and spray
Gap is small enough where crosshair stays fairly compact
Cons
Gap is too small
Crosshair is too big
Crosshair is too thick
Crosshair Code
CSGO-XiWP5-EmSj2-ooOvQ-zxhaN-aUeuB
Crosshair Settings
Style: Classic Static
Follow Recoil: No
Center Dot: No
Length: 2
Thickness: 1
Gap: -3
Outline: No
Color: Light Green
T style: No
Deployed Weapon Gap: No
4. s1mple
Background
Arguably the best player or AWPer of all time, S1mple (Ukrainian) owns 21 HLTV MVP medals, won a Major, received an Intel Grand Slam trophy, obtained multiple Best Player Of The Year awards, and much more. On top of that, he set numerous records, such as having the most HLTV MVP awards (21) and being the only player to reach a Major final with three different cores. Along with his superb aim, s1mple receives praise for his exceptional game sense and positioning. While not in NAVI's lineup, s1mple is currently inactive or benched.
From CS:GO and CS2, s1mple’s earned roughly $1,727,000.
He currently owns a 1.33 KDR, 85.4 ADR, 1.60 OKR, and ~64% 1v1 clutch rate.
Crosshair Analysis
S1mple, unlike most players, opted for a dot/square-shaped crosshair (or used to). You might ask about the benefits and differences between a dot and a t-shaped crosshair.
To begin, while most T-shaped crosshairs mimic the size of the opponent's head, they don't replicate the shape. However, with a t-shape crosshair, the four lines gravitate your attention towards the middle or center, as they “point” in the same direction. However, a dot crosshair often aligns with the opponent's head in both size and shape. Consequently, there's an additional layer of similarity, making headshots more feasible for some players.
From short ranges, the crosshair covers very little of the forehead. From mid ranges, the crosshair aligns with the head from almost to fully, and from long ranges, the crosshair usually covers the head completely as well, but rarely overextends.
For tracking movement, the crosshair is fairly visible given its cyan color.
For tracking recoil patterns, the crosshair is fairly visible given its compactness and color.
What’s Good About s1mple’s Crosshair
Unlike t-shaped crosshairs, dot crosshairs mimic the size and shape of the enemy’s head
Simple design (no pun intended)
Unique color (cyan)
Ideal for headshots
Cons
Unlike dot crosshairs, t-shape crosshairs tend to gravitate users attention toward the center, given the lines around them
Too small
Difficulty tracking movement
Crosshair Code
CSGO-YVjrj-3ebYL-JzmF7-hW7yF-cMwLA
Crosshair Settings
Style: Classic Static
Follow Recoil: No
Center Dot: Yes
Length: 0
Thickness: 1.5
Gap: -3
Outline: No
Color: Cyan
T style: No
Deployed Weapon Gap: No
3. ZywOo
Background
Since breaking out in 2017, French AWPer/rifler ZywOo is arguably the best player in today's game. Flourishing with multiple MVP awards, top-player recognitions, and a Major victory, he continues to excel. Initially, he thrived as an AWPer, but experienced a slight downfall. Shortly thereafter, he rebounded by expanding into a rifler role, dominating in both positions since.
The list goes on for ZywOo’s accomplishments, but here are more examples. In 2023, HLTV voted him as the best player overall. During that same year, he was named MVP of the BLAST.tv Paris Major. Last, but not least, ZywOo holds the record for most kills in a single series at 143!
At the age of only 23, he’s earned about $1,000,000 so far.
Stat-wise, he currently holds a 1.39 KDR, 87.3 ADR, 1.62 OKR, and a ~67% 1v1 clutch rate.
Crosshair Analysis
ZywOo's crosshair is highly compact, despite a small middle gap. When traversing the map, the gap appears almost non-existent. Furthermore, the crosshair aligns almost perfectly with the opponent's head without overextending due to its miniature size. Despite being fairly thin, the green color also adds a touch of transparency.
From short ranges, the crosshair tends to align with the center or top of the forehead. From middle ranges, the crosshair aligns with the head almost completely. From long ranges, the crosshair aligns almost perfectly with the head. From there, users also see the gap more clearly.
For tracking movement, the crosshair is somewhat visible, given a bright green color and compact shape. Some users may prefer to use a thicker tone, however.
For tracking sprays, the crosshair is fairly easy to follow, albeit somewhat thin.
What’s Good About ZywoO’s Crosshair
Small and compact
Good for headshots across most distances
Fairly easy to track recoil patterns
Cons
Too small
Too thin
Difficulty tracking movement or opponents
Crosshair Code
CSGO-dkfKY-NQvA4-BWjpV-sGzWW-U9z6A
Crosshair Settings
Style: Classic Static
Follow Recoil: No
Center Dot: No
Length: 2
Thickness: 1
Gap: -3
Outline: No
Color: Green
T style: No
Deployed Weapon Gap: No
2. ropz
Background
Before joining mousesports and eventually FaZe, ropz (Estonian) played Call of Duty as a content creator. Then in 2015, he started his CS career as a rifler. Working his way up to now, ropz played in eight majors, won the PGL Major Antwerp in 2022, ranked third-best player last year, and was named MVP of the Thunderpick World Championship in 2023. The list goes on, but as for characteristics, he’s often heralded for his superior game sense, semi-aggressive playstyle (as a lurker), and exceptional aim.
So far, ropz’s made about ~$1,475,000 playing CS:GO and CS2.
At the moment, ropz owns a 1.21 KDR, 78.4 ADR, 1.24 OKR, and a ~60% 1v1 clutch rate.
Crosshair Analysis
Frankly, it’s very similar to ZywOo’s crosshair except for the slight difference in length. Players typically treat thin and small crosshairs like these as long-term investments. Initially, tracking and aiming takes more time, but players may adjust. Subsequently, adapting to such a small and thin crosshair can lead to increased precision, given the reduced margin for error. It’s also worth noting that both ZywOo’s and ropz’s crosshairs align almost perfectly with the opponent’s head without over-extending across various distances.
From short ranges, the crosshair often covers the center of the forehead. From mid ranges, the crosshair often aligns with most of the head, and from long ranges, the crosshair often covers the head completely, without over-extending to the shoulders.
Tracking movement may be challenging, but feasible with practice.
Tracking sprays or recoil patterns may also be challenging, but feasible with practice.
What’s Good About ropz’s Crosshair
Better precision over time (adaptation to a small and thin crosshair, for some)
Good for headshots (alignment via size)
Green color adds decent transparency
Cons
Too small
Too thin
Color is too light
Difficulty tracking sprays/opponents
Crosshair Code
CSGO-nCfX7-54ue9-aC5eV-6Womf-Q6izO
Crosshair Settings
Style: Classic Static
Follow Recoil: No
Center Dot: No
Length: 2
Thickness: .5
Gap: -3
Outline: No
Color: Green
T style: No
Deployed Weapon Gap: No
1. donk
Background
donk currently plays for Spirit as a 17-year-old Russian rifler/entry fragger. At 16, he was the MVP of the BetBoom Dacha event, making him the second youngest player to receive an HLTV MVP award.
Despite his age, donk continues to excel at the highest level of play with prodigy-like stats. His superb aim and quick reflexes only tell part of the story.
He’s accumulated approximately $206,000 in earnings from both CS and CS2 in total prize money.
At the moment, donk maintains a ~1.24 KDR, 87.5 ADR, 1.26 OKR, and a 71% success rate in 1v1 situations.
Crosshair Analysis
Donk uses a very small yet relatively thick and white T-shaped crosshair.
When viewed from longer distances (more or less), it resembles the shape of a dot with a middle gap, covering the opponent’s head altogether. At certain mid-ranges, the crosshair obscures the opponent's head almost completely. Up close, it’s usually centered on the forehead. This configuration generally makes it easier for players to spot the enemy's head while potentially increasing their headshot accuracy.
White crosshairs prove effective in environments with darker shades or backgrounds by providing a strong contrast. Moreover, white is a fairly uncommon color for a crosshair.
In terms of movement, the crosshair's thickness and color make it relatively easy to track. Players often address visibility issues with smaller crosshairs by increasing their thickness or by adding a vibrant color.
Regarding spray, tracking the crosshair is relatively straightforward due to its size and color. That is, there isn't much to distract users from executing their sprays. Although it may be challenging to see, its small size provides exceptional overlap to the player model, simplifying the visualization process.
What’s Good About donk’s Crosshair
Overall transparency (bright color and thickness)
Fairly transparent follow-through (spray/movement)
Mimics the size of an opponent's head (across multiple distances)
Bright (white contrast vs. darker backgrounds)
Compact
Cons
Too small
Crosshair Code
CSGO-tvJ6D-ph6Pz-x2i97-WqDza-Nr3xK
Crosshair Settings
Style: Classic Static
Follow Recoil: No
Center Dot: 0
Length: 1
Thickness: 1
Gap: -4
Outline: No
Color: White
T style: No
Deployed Weapon Gap: No
