Professional esports player draken’s journey from Valorant back to CS:GO with renewed perspective and competitive strategies
Introduction: The Redemption Arc Begins
Swedish sniper specialist William ‘draken’ Sundin opens up about his strategic return to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive following an extensive competitive period in Riot’s Valorant, reflecting on past errors and implementing hard-won lessons.
Professional AWPer draken details his CS:GO comeback journey after competing in Valorant, sharing insights about personal development and competitive evolution in an exclusive Dexerto discussion.
Throughout draken’s competitive trajectory, his hallmark has been extraordinary highlight moments contrasted by unexpected missed opportunities.
During his peak performance years with legendary organizations NIP and fnatic between 2017-2018, draken demonstrated astonishing flick-shot capabilities—remember his spectacular 1v2 clutch elimination against Gambit that amazed teammate Christopher ‘GeT_RiGhT’ Alesund. Simultaneously, his tendency to miss seemingly straightforward shots became a community meme and frequent criticism point among commentators and analysts.
“My performance spectrum ranges from spectacular to frustrating,” he explained to theScore esports in 2020. “Certain shots demonstrate incredible skill while others represent baffling misses that appear particularly poor.
“Every professional misses occasionally, but I became synonymous with the 30-degree meme phenomenon.”
Unable to maintain the consistency demanded at elite competitive levels, draken watched his career momentum decline. In 2020, he transitioned to Valorant—a destination where numerous CS:GO professionals have migrated when their prominence diminished.
Nearly two years later, draken resurfaces in CS:GO with an eclectic Swedish squad. This development prompts the crucial question: Does this mark the commencement of his professional redemption narrative?
Valorant Interlude: Growth Beyond the AWP
Valorant provided draken with a competitive reset opportunity. He participated in Europe’s earliest invitation-only tournaments and earned MVP honors at the G2 Esports Invitational. During October 2020, his Bonk roster received sponsorship from UK-based organization Guild Esports.
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The Swedish lineup, guided by former CS:GO teammate André ‘BARBARR’ Möller, didn’t qualify for Riot Games’ international LAN events during 2021 but maintained significant presence in European competitions. They achieved 3rd-4th placements in VCT Stage 1 Masters, 5th-6th in Stage 2 Challengers Finals, and 7th-8th in Stage 3 Challengers Playoffs.
Approaching year’s end, they stood one match victory from securing Valorant Champions qualification but fell to Team Liquid in the last-chance qualifier grand finals after defeating G2 Esports and three Turkish squads.
“Valorant represents an excellent competitive title, and I’ve experienced substantial personal development,” he shared with Dexerto. “Before Valorant, I exclusively filled primary sniper roles, but this environment pushed me beyond established comfort boundaries.
“I adopted more supportive responsibilities, which significantly enhanced my understanding of nuanced competitive elements I previously overlooked.
“Successful teams operate with precision synchronization. Every member must maintain alignment and understand specific assignments for collective achievement. Crucially, trusting your teammates represents one of the most vital components.”
Professional Insight: Transitioning between tactical shooters requires adapting to different game economies, ability usage timing, and map control strategies. Draken’s experience demonstrates how role flexibility in Valorant can enhance overall game sense when returning to CS:GO.
The Comeback: Rediscovering CS:GO Passion
The subsequent offseason introduced comprehensive changes to Guild, who parted ways with Yacine ‘Yacine’ Laghmari, Malkolm ‘Bonkar’ Rench, and draken as part of organizational restructuring.
Yacine and Bonkar subsequently established YONK, currently finalizing agreements with London-based Tundra Esports.
Draken similarly could have persisted with Valorant competition, with no shortage of interested organizations. However, that path proved less compelling than completing his CS:GO journey. As the saying goes, separation intensifies affection, and draken’s CS:GO hiatus deepened his appreciation for the game.
“A persistent internal voice advocated for returning,” he revealed. “I felt dissatisfied with my departure circumstances. I consistently recognized untapped potential, but excessive playtime and consecutive team transitions without breaks eroded my motivation.
“Major tournaments have significantly motivated me, alongside observing emerging team performances.
“I’ve regained intense CS competitive hunger. I’ve rediscovered the concentration and drive I previously possessed. I’m determined to give CS another opportunity and explore my maximum potential. With advancing age, this represented a definitive ‘now or never’ scenario.”
Draken joins several professionals returning to CS:GO after Valorant experimentation. The most prominent example involves Nick ‘nitr0’ Cannella, who rejoined Team Liquid earlier this year following high-level North American Valorant competition with 100 Thieves for over twelve months.
“I believe this trend relates less to Valorant itself,” draken commented regarding returning professionals. “It concerns passion reclamation.
“Valorant offers excellent gameplay but CS maintains purer competitive integrity. It eliminates unnecessary complications—what you observe reflects genuine skill. It represents the foundational first-person shooter.”
Avoid Common Mistakes: Many players switching between games struggle with cross-game mechanics confusion. Practice dedicated aim training specifically for CS:GO’s recoil patterns and movement mechanics to readjust efficiently.
Savage Roster: Building a New Legacy
Draken currently competes with Savage, a Swedish organization featuring another former NIP and Fnatic veteran Simon ‘twist’ Eliasson. The remaining roster comprises Niclas ‘PlesseN’ Plessen, Denis ‘grux’ Gutaj, and Adam ‘dezon’ Wahlqvist, with the latter representing the team’s developmental prospect.
Theoretical roster strength appears solid, evidenced by their current global ranking position of 38th.
Draken generated attention with an impressive 1.72 HLTV rating during his first official match in nearly two years—a decisive 2-0 victory against MASONIC—though his statistics have normalized since. He maintains a respectable 1.14 average rating following matches against stronger opponents including GamerLegion, SAW, and Sprout.
Advanced Optimization: For players returning after extended breaks, focus on rebuilding muscle memory through consistent practice routines. Implement VOD review sessions to identify positioning errors and communication gaps that may have developed during absence.
Wisdom Gained: Maturity and Mindset Shifts
This time, draken approaches his career without assumptions. Reflecting backward, he acknowledged previous “immaturity” and how his rapid ascent to prominence distorted perspective. “I believe I became excessively comfortable in my position,” he stated. “I received opportunities somewhat prematurely.”
With revitalized Counter-Strike enthusiasm and transformed personal philosophy centered on three fundamental principles—”sleep patterns, nutritional habits, and physical activity”—draken prepares to author his career’s next chapter.
Two years prior, he exited CS:GO quietly. Presently, he reenters the competitive landscape as a transformed, “more content” individual, possessing enhanced self-confidence and personal discipline according to his assessment.
He recognizes numerous skeptics requiring convincing, though this awareness doesn’t inhibit ambitious goal-setting.
Practical Strategy: Implement the 3-pillar approach draken mentions—consistent sleep (7-9 hours), balanced nutrition, and regular exercise. These foundational habits significantly impact reaction times, decision-making, and tournament endurance.
Ambitions and Next Steps
“My primary objective involves Major championship victory,” he declared. “I’ve consistently maintained high personal standards, and I plan to continue this approach. I understand my capabilities and potential influence. I simply need to collaborate effectively with teammates, and achievement will follow, I’m confident.
“2022 extends beyond my CS:GO return. I’m developing a significant CS:GO initiative. I’ll share additional details once arrangements finalize.”
Career Planning Tip: When setting esports goals, establish both short-term objectives (improving specific skills) and long-term targets (tournament victories). This balanced approach maintains motivation while ensuring continuous improvement.
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