French Counter-Strike, a turbulent scene at the best of times, perpetually cycling players year after year in search of the electrifying flair that comes with a cohesive lineup. This year would see the outcasts of such a cycle coalescing under the EnVyUs banner. Prodigal aimer ScreaM being the most notable absentee, following his redemptive display over the previous year. Yet, the Belgian would be pipped as the bright spot of EnVy, this accolade being snatched by RpK, someone who’d previously taken a two-year hiatus from competitive Counter-Strike. Despite his team remaining a considerable distance off entering even the top ten, RpK is playing his best CS in the modern era of Global Offensive, the tank is back.

Photo credit: HLTV

Early days

Alongside shox, Cédric “RpK” Guipouy is regarded as one of the absolute best players in Source history, perhaps even the greatest. VeryGames would bring over their illustrious roster into CS:GO, being in attendance of four events going into 2013. The Frenchmen would reach the final of all four, however failing to capitalize on a single title, losing out to Ninjas in Pyjamas in all of these finals; the genesis of the Swedes imperious reign. RpK himself would have a particularly impressive showing at DreamHack Winter 2012, yet still offered little in resistance when encountering the Ninjas.

In the January of 2013 RpK announced his retirement from professional Counter-Strike, favouring instead to pursue other interests in his life. A decision likely influenced by sparseness of the scene during Global Offensive’s inception, few teams even being salaried, truly a stark contrast to the CS world of today.

Photo credit: HLTV

The return

Titan — formerly VeryGames — would be victorious at the DreamHack Stockholm invitational in late September 2015. Here the Frenchmen would slay both Fnatic and LDLC in series, spearheaded by the other earthly AWPing of kennyS and lockdown CT sniping from new addition; KQLY. Infamously, KQLY would be VAC banned just a matter of weeks before the upcoming major. With LDLC hoarding a plethora of French talent, the options for Titan were limited, many suspected the return of ScreaM to Ex6TenZ’s lineup, in dire need of an airlift from his Epsilon lineup. Titan were patient in making a decision, attending ESEA LAN using their analyst ioRek as an standin.

Shockingly, completely out of left field, RpK would be chosen as KQLY’s replacement. The Frenchman had spent almost two years away from Global Offensive, literally playing his first games of Deathmatch upon being offered a spot on Titan. Following his reunion with Ex6TenZ, RpK was cognisant of the toil required to catch up, particularly towards the tactical facets that had since developed.

Unfortunately for Titan, RpK’s return was not the blockbuster they’d hoped for. Over the course of 2015, RpK bore out to be an mediocre to below average top level player. A vast disparity to the pioneering star he’d been back in Jonkoping, a few months before his retirement. 2016 would bring an organisation change to G2, and RpK’s performance was more of the same, now the archetype of the average Counter-Strike professional.

Photo credit: HLTV

In a brief turnaround, RpK rolled back the years, demonstrating an nostalgic showing during G2’s title run at ECS Season 1, following up with a second great display in the group stage of ELEAGUE Season 1. However, the Frenchman would regress back as G2’s results declined towards the latter stages of 2016, his spike appearing as the anomaly. Shortly after the major in Atlanta, the latest French shakeup materialised. RpK would be left out of shox and kennyS’ superteam, and would find himself alongside fellow outcasts on EnVyUs. RpK’s new team achieved little over the start of 2017, heading out early from the few events they’d attend.

A new era

To the distaste of the wider community, EnVyUs would qualify for the EPL S5 Finals, and in doing so, denying the top two teams in the world from attending. For many, an group stage exit appeared extremely likely, even the chances of stealing a map seemed slim. Surprisingly, EnVy would emerge from the group, following a ridiculous three-way tie for second, in which overtimes were played to determine who’d progress. RpK was a key contributor towards nV’s success at this event, scoring his highest rating since 2012 (discounting the Columbus qualifier). During the group stage, RpK would have a monster game versus SK, leading his squad to a 16–3 thrashing over the Brazilians on Inferno.

After failing to qualify for PGL Krakow, RpK would exhibit an MVP performance during EnVy’s title run at DreamHack Atlanta. As impressive as it sounds, the field hadn’t featured a single top ten team, due to clashing with the major. Following up with group exits in Mykonos and Malmo, RpK had few opportunities to exert his play in the server.

Unexpectedly, EnVyUs would surpass the group stage at ELEAGUE Premier, their advancement coming as a virtue of RpK’s dominant performances: he’d crushed Virtus.pro on Cobblestone, laying down a phenomenal 31–12 scoreline, and in the decider match, RpK had dispatched of NiP, the highest rated player over the series, by some margin. The quarters would witness RpK squaring up to the star studded FaZe lineup. Despite his opponents already being on their devastating tournament run, the Frenchman would still muster up 30 kills across the first map (Nuke), yet his efforts were in vain, his fellow teammates unable to capitalise.

IEM Oakland would see EnVyUs plummeting out early, placing fifth in their group. In defiance of his team’s poor overall showing, RpK had still played excellent Counter-Stike. In their opening match against SK, the Frenchman would force the Brazilians to overtime, out fragging every player on the server. At his most recent event; DreamHack Winter, RpK’s weakest single map performance of late had cost nV dearly, losing their map pick and subsequently the series 2–0 at the hands of Na’Vi. exiting in the semifinals.

Photo credit: HLTV

In the server

RpK is no longer the supportive player he once was, on the Terrorist side you’ll regularly find him amongst the entry pack during executes. In the configuration of teams, it’s common place to have your stars entering second or third, using information and space garnished from the first, trading into advantageous situations. This is the role the Frenchman fulfils within EnVyUs, regularly number two behind dedicated entry xms. RpK goes to work on the Terrorist side, playing aggressively he reliably opens bombsites, repeatedly putting his team mates in position to win rounds.

The Counter-Terrorist side has RpK manning positions that reward intelligent play. On Cobblestone he defends the dropzone, and on Train you’ll find him as the B anchor, two positions in which it’s difficult to maintain a strong statistical performance, the emphasis being placed on utility usage and shrewd positional play. Meanwhile on Inferno and Nuke RpK is given freer reign, on Nuke he varies his position around the A-site, moving between silo, hut, and the rafters keeping opponents guessing as to his location. Over on Inferno the Frenchman’s focus is towards apartments and short, commonly found in pit or around the cart. RpK remains relatively passive on the CT-side, its uncommon you’ll see him make individual advances, favouring instead to aggress whilst team mates are supporting.

RpK attributes his increase in performance to a couple of factors: one being his transition into the limelight. Gone are his days of playing second fiddle second to shox, ScreaM, and kennyS, now receiving his preferred roles and positions. He also feels that his confidence levels have significantly increased from that of the year before, believing that confidence is an integral part of strong performances.

RpK’s veteran savvy shines through, although his skill level has improved, he’s by no means a superstar aimer, decision making is where an advantage is gained. It’s extremely rare you’ll see RpK attempt overzealous plays, he seems well aware of his limits, giving opponents few opportunities to capitalise. An particular strength is playing late round scenarios, his experience comes to fruition positioning effectively giving himself the edge, alongside maintaining a cool head whilst the pressure is mounting.

Photo credit: Adela Sznajder, DreamHack

Looking beyond

RpK’s year has come to a close, the past six months have seen the Frenchman silence critics, displaying a level of consistency at the big events only trumped by the game’s international stars. RpK has made a bold statement should the French scene seek more changes following the major in Boston, whether that be G2 looking to create a championship contender, or EnVyUs rummaging through the French underbelly, in search of untapped talent.

RpK’s improvement from the past two years to now is nothing short of astonishing, I struggle to think of many players that have improved so dramatically, certainly very few so far into their careers. Whether the Frenchman will continue his upward trajectory is hard to say, the heights of his Source days seem unattainable, yet should he receive an upgrade of team mates, the ceiling only rises. Featuring a cohort of seasoned lineups, the major qualifier in January will be the Frenchman's next hurdle.

Can RpK assert himself as a star player on the global stage? Let’s sit back and find out.