When you think of Counter-Strike legends, Ninjas in Pyjamas CS2 instantly comes to mind. This Swedish powerhouse has dominated the tactical FPS scene for over two decades, creating some of the most memorable moments in esports history.
From their legendary 87-map win streak to their ESL One Cologne 2014 Major victory, NiP has consistently delivered world-class Counter-Strike. But how does this iconic organization stack up in the CS2 era?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything about Ninjas in Pyjamas CS2 – their current roster, historic achievements, team stickers, and what makes them one of the most beloved teams in competitive gaming.
Current Ninjas in Pyjamas CS2 Roster (2025)
The current NiP lineup consists of Snappi (Marco Pfeiffer, Denmark), sjuush (Rasmus Beck, Denmark), r1nkle (Artem Moroz, Ukraine), xKacpersky (Kacper Grabara, Poland), and cairne (Artem Mushynskyi, Ukraine).
Here’s the breakdown of each player’s role:
Marco “Snappi” Pfeiffer (IGL)
- Role: In-Game Leader & Rifler
- Nationality: Danish
- Strengths: Veteran leader known for mid-round calling and pragmatic defaults. Brings Major and elite event pedigree to steady NIP’s CS2 roster.
Rasmus “sjuush” Beck (Anchor)
- Role: Anchor/Site Holder
- Nationality: Danish
- Strengths: Elite anchor who wins space on CT and closes late-rounds. Expect him on sites like B Nuke or Ancient’s tricky anchors.
Artem “r1nkle” Moroz (AWPer)
- Role: Primary AWPer
- Nationality: Ukrainian
- Strengths: Hard-carry potential. High opening-kill ratio and late-round impact; NIP’s primary win-condition on bigger stages.
Kacper “xKacpersky” Grabara (Support)
- Role: Support/Rifler
- Nationality: Polish
- Strengths: Versatile player who can adapt to different situations
Artem “cairne” Mushynskyi (Entry)
- Role: Entry Fragger
- Nationality: Ukrainian
- Strengths: Aggressive opening plays and site takes
Richard “Xizt” Landström (Head Coach)
Head coach — Richard “Xizt” Landström: NIP legend shaping the playbook and mid-round structure. The former NiP player brings invaluable experience from the team’s golden era.
The Legendary History of Ninjas in Pyjamas
Early Beginnings (2000-2007)
Ninjas in Pyjamas was founded in 2000 by a group of Swedish players who wanted to formally compete in Counter-Strike at the professional level. The original NiP roster boasted a lineup of legendary players such as Emil “HeatoN” Christensen, Tommy “Potti” Ingemarsson, XeqtR, Hyb, and Medion.
Their early achievements included:
- CPL Europe London 2001: An event that marked NiP as one of the best teams on the planet.
- CPL Europe Berlin 2001: Another victory underscoring their supremacy in the early Counter-Strike competitive scene.
- CPL Winter 2001: A crowning achievement that solidified NiP’s position as the world’s best Counter-Strike team in 2001.
The CS:GO Revival (2012-2020)
After a hiatus, NiP returned to competitive Counter-Strike in 2012 with the launch of CS:GO. In 2012, the team returned again, this time with a now heavily renowned Counter-Strike: Global Offensive squad, which went on a record-breaking 87-0 map win streak.
The Golden Five Lineup
The legendary CS:GO roster featured:
- Christopher “GeT_RiGhT” Alesund – Entry fragger
- Patrik “f0rest” Lindberg – Rifler/Support
- Adam “friberg” Friberg – Support
- Xizt – In-Game Leader
- Robin “Fifflaren” Johansson – AWPer
Historic 87-Map Win Streak
The 87-win streak refers to NiP’s record-breaking run, where they won 87 consecutive maps at LAN tournaments during the early CS:GO era. Hold the record for the longest map win streak on LAN with 87, doing so from September 2012 to April 2013, when it was broken by Virtus.pro.
This incredible streak made them the undisputed kings of early CS:GO and established a legacy that still resonates today.
Major Championships & Tournament Success
ESL One Cologne 2014 – The Major Victory
Yes, NiP won the ESL One: Cologne 2014 CS:GO Major Championship, defeating Fnatic in the grand final. In 2014, NiP etched their name into Counter-Strike’s history by winning the ESL One: Cologne CS:GO Major Championship. The team comprised GeT_RiGhT, f0rest, Xizt, Fifflaren, and friberg. Their victory in Cologne was especially sweet after finishing as runners-up in multiple prior majors.
Major Finals Record
Hold the record for the most finals played and most consecutive finals played at CS:GO Majors with 5, doing so at DreamHack Winter 2013, EMS One: Katowice 2014, ESL One: Cologne 2014, DreamHack Winter 2014 and ESL One: Katowice 2015.
However, Most Major finals lost at 4. Tied with Natus Vincere and FaZe.
Tournament Statistics
NiP has played in approximately 1422 matches, securing around 808 victories. The team’s journey includes a record win streak of 22 matches and has participated in about 247 tournaments, receiving direct invites to 92 of them. They have claimed 33 gold, 23 silver, and 28 bronze medals in tournaments.
Current Performance in CS2 (2024-2025)
Recent Tournament Results
9–12th at IEM Cologne 2025; 5–8th at PGL Major Astana 2025; 2nd at CCT S3 Europe #3; 1st at Fragadelphia x LVL UP EXPO 2025.
Map Pool Strengths
Map win-rates (recent): Nuke/Inferno best; Ancient solid; Dust2/Anubis variable; Mirage matchup-dependent.
The team shows particular strength on:
- Nuke – Their strongest map with excellent site holds
- Inferno – Strong tactical executes and retakes
- Ancient – Solid positioning and utility usage
For players looking to improve on these maps, check out our comprehensive guides on Nuke callouts and Inferno callouts.
Team Playstyle & Tactics
Ongoing challenge: Consistency against top-10. When r1nkle is hot and entries trade well, NIP punch up; when opening duels stall, rounds drift late and rely on heroics.
The current NiP roster focuses on:
- Structured defaults with strong mid-round adjustments
- r1nkle-centric AWP setups for opening picks
- Disciplined site anchoring from sjuush
- Tactical depth from coach Xizt’s experience
Ninjas in Pyjamas Stickers & Team Items
Popular NiP Sticker Combinations
NiP has one of the most extensive sticker collections in CS2, spanning multiple Major tournaments. Browse and buy all CS2 stickers from the Ninjas in Pyjamas team. View the current price, price history, and more for each sticker.
Best NiP Sticker Crafts
Some popular combinations include:
- AK-47 Legion of Anubis + 4x Ninjas in Pyjamas (Holo) | MLG Columbus 2016
- P250 Red Rock + 3x Ninjas in Pyjamas (Holo) | London 2018 stickers
- AK-47 Wasteland Rebel + 4x Ninjas in Pyjamas (Foil) | Cologne 2015
Unique Berlin 2019 Stickers
The four Ninjas in Pyjamas (Foil) | Berlin 2019 stickers on this NIP combo stand out as particularly unique, as they’re the only blue Ninjas in Pyjamas stickers in the entire game.
Tournament Sticker History
NiP stickers are available from major tournaments including:
- Katowice 2014 – The legendary original stickers
- Cologne 2015 – Classic foil variants
- MLG Columbus 2016 – Popular holo designs
- London 2018 – Distinctive background patterns
- Berlin 2019 – Unique blue colorway
For collectors interested in CS2 stickers, NiP offers some of the most iconic designs in the game.
The Decline and Rebuild Era (2017-2023)
Challenging Years
The problems appeared in 2017. That year was the worst in NiP’s history. In 12 months NiP managed to win only one titled tournament – Intel Extreme Masters XII – Oakland. In that year NiP for the first time could not make it to a Major tournament.
Roster Changes and Struggles
The team went through numerous roster changes:
- In 2017, friberg quit the roster and was replaced by draken.
- In February, the team lost another player of the golden five – Xizt. His position was given to dennis.
- The longstanding duo of Christopher “GeT_RiGhT” Alesund and Patrik “f0rest” Lindberg, who were a core part of the initial team, departed from the organization after the end of the StarLadder Berlin Major.
What Makes NiP Special: “NiP Magic”
At times have had unexpected event runs and wins. Such runs have been coined by analyst Duncan “Thorin” Shields and later collectively adopted by the community as “NiP Magic”.
This phenomenon refers to NiP’s ability to perform beyond expectations in crucial moments, often pulling off unlikely victories against stronger opponents.
Future Outlook for Ninjas in Pyjamas CS2
2025 Projections
What’s the outlook for late 2025? If opening duels and trading stay consistent, this CS2 roster projects as a stable playoff team with upset potential versus top-5.
Key Factors for Success
The team’s success depends on:
- r1nkle’s AWP consistency – Their primary win condition
- Improved trading between entry fraggers
- Tactical evolution under Xizt’s guidance
- Map pool expansion beyond Nuke/Inferno comfort zone
Training and Development
For players inspired by NiP’s playstyle, consider exploring:
- CS2 practice commands for skill development
- Best CS2 settings for optimal performance
- CS2 roles to understand team dynamics
Collecting NiP Memorabilia
Team Merchandise
Beyond stickers, NiP offers various collectibles:
- Team jerseys and apparel
- Signed memorabilia from legendary players
- Limited edition items from Major victories
Investment Value
NiP stickers, especially from Katowice 2014 and early Majors, have shown strong appreciation in value. The team’s legendary status ensures continued demand among collectors.
Conclusion
Ninjas in Pyjamas CS2 represents more than just a competitive team – they’re a cornerstone of Counter-Strike history. From their record-breaking 87-map streak to their Major championship and iconic “NiP Magic” moments, they’ve consistently delivered memorable performances.
While the current roster faces challenges in establishing themselves among CS2’s elite, the combination of experienced leadership from Snappi and Xizt, plus emerging talent like r1nkle, provides hope for future success.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the scene, NiP’s legacy in Counter-Strike is undeniable. Their influence extends beyond wins and losses – they’ve shaped the very culture of competitive CS.
Ready to dive deeper into CS2? Check out our guides on CS2 maps, explore the latest CS2 skins, or learn about other legendary teams in our comprehensive esports coverage.
What’s your favorite NiP moment? Share your thoughts and join the conversation about this legendary organization’s impact on Counter-Strike history.
