BESTIA CS2 Story: From Argentina to International LANs
MattBESTIA CS2 has quickly become one of South America’s most compelling esports stories. Founded on February 14, 2023 by Argentinian poker player and rapper Alejandro “Papo MC” Lococo, this Argentinian organization has fought through roster changes, visa controversies, and intense regional competition to establish themselves as a force in the Americas.
In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about BESTIA their current roster, tournament history, the Austin Major drama, and what’s next for Argentina’s CS2 hopefuls.
BESTIA CS2 Team Overview
BESTIA is an Argentinian Counter-Strike 2 team competing in the South American region. The team was formed in early 2023, with their first match taking place on February 15, 2023.
Since then, they’ve become a dominant force in South American CS2. They have played 449 matches, securing approximately 253 victories. BESTIA has participated in around 87 tournaments, receiving direct invites to 24 of them. Their trophy cabinet includes 13 gold, 8 silver, and 9 bronze medals.
| Team Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Region | South America (Argentina) |
| Founded | February 14, 2023 |
| CEO | Alejandro “Papo MC” Lococo |
| Peak Ranking | #23 World |
| Total Earnings | ~$132,000+ |
BESTIA’s ranking has fluctuated, reaching a peak of 23rd and a low of 147th. This volatility reflects both the challenges of competing from South America and the team’s ongoing roster evolution.
Current BESTIA Roster
The team has undergone several roster changes since their founding. Their roster currently consists of Noktse (Nicolás Mariano Dávila, Argentina), cass1n (Cássio Santos, Brazil), tomaszin (Tomas Corna, Argentina), buda (Nicolás Kramer, Argentina), and timo (Cristhian Perez, Uruguay).
Key Players
Noktse serves as the team’s veteran presence and AWPer. Noktse, whose real name is Nicolás Mariano Dávila, is a highly accomplished Argentinian Counter-Strike 2 player. With over 600 career matches played and approximately $72,000 in prize money earned, he’s established himself as a prominent figure in the South American CS scene.
If you’re looking to emulate Noktse’s AWP skills, check out our guide on the awp and explore the best skins for this iconic weapon.
tomaszin has shown explosive potential. tomaszin goes nuclear as BESTIA eliminate BOSS headlines like this showcase his ability to step up in crucial moments.
cass1n joined from paiN Gaming, bringing Brazilian experience to the predominantly Argentinian squad. BESTIA bench naz and acquire leo_drk and cass1n from Hype Esports and paiN Gaming, respectively.
buda is the newest addition. BESTIA part ways with luchov and sign buda as his replacement.
Tournament History and Achievements
BESTIA has steadily climbed the South American rankings through consistent tournament performances. In recent tournaments, BESTIA achieved 1st place at DraculaN #4 (2025-12-21) and CCT Season 3 South American Series #6 (2025-11-16), also securing 3rd place at ESL Challenger League Season 50 (2025-11-21).
Notable Results
BESTIA claim maiden international LAN title at DraculaN Season 4 a significant milestone for the organization.
Their biggest achievement was a 2nd place at Intel Extreme Masters Rio 2026 with $50,000 in prize money.
The team has also qualified for multiple Major Regional Qualifiers (RMRs), showcasing their ability to compete at the highest level. For fans following the competitive scene, understanding team dynamics is crucial just like knowing your all rifles when building your loadout.
The Austin Major Controversy
Perhaps the most defining moment in BESTIA’s history was the controversial Austin Major situation in 2025. BESTIA will be replaced at the upcoming Austin Major after failing to secure the required amount of US visa to field a sufficient number of eligible players. The Argentinian team, who qualified for the Major through the South American MRQ, will be replaced by Brazilian team Legacy.
What Happened?
On May 21st, 2025, BLAST announced that BESTIA would be replaced with Brazilian esports organisation Legacy due to players Martín ‘tomaszin’ Corna and Luciano ‘luchov’ Herrera having issues acquiring a US visa.
Following the announcement, BESTIA published a social media post revealing its players will have visas in time to attend the first stage of the Major, beginning on June 3rd, 2025.
The situation escalated quickly. The CEO of the team, Papo MC, left the following comment on BLAST’s post: “You know you’re doing the wrong thing. We wanted to resolve this fairly. See you in court.”
Community Response
The CS2 community rallied behind BESTIA. Vitality’s apEX urged fans to “retweet for the dream.” OG, 9z, paiN, KRÜ, HEROIC, Falcons, and others publicly backed BESTIA.
m0NESY, karrigan, Krimbo, Guerr1, s1n, dav1g, Gaules, and ohnePixel joined the wave of support.
Argentine political figures also intervened, with presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni confirming government assistance to accelerate visas and condemning BLAST’s decision.
Despite the outpouring of support, Legacy would take their place a team BESTIA had beaten during qualifiers.
This controversy highlighted systemic issues in esports. It highlights a systemic issue affecting many teams from countries where obtaining a U.S. visa is a challenge. While European and North American players often enjoy more mobility, talented teams from Latin America, Asia, and Africa face barriers that rob them of opportunities to shine.
BESTIA’s Playstyle and Map Pool
BESTIA plays an aggressive, aim-heavy style typical of South American teams. With Noktse anchoring from the AWP position, the team relies on individual skill to create openings.
Their riflers excel with the ak-47 on T-side, while CT setups often feature the m4a1-s for its accuracy and silenced shots. Players looking to replicate their setups should also consider their all pistols for eco rounds.
The team’s longest winning streak was 10 matches (from 2024-05-20 to 2024-05-22), while their longest losing streak was 6 matches (from 2024-04-09 to 2024-05-06).
Roster Evolution
BESTIA’s journey hasn’t been without turbulence. The team has made numerous roster moves since their founding:
BESTIA enter Counter-Strike: Global Offensive by signing Noktse, deco, meyern, luchov, Luken and pino, the latter as coach. Additionally, they sign Zote as an analyst and Mvk as a manager.
Key changes include:
- BESTIA bench Luken and sign tomaszin as his replacement.
- BESTIA bench meyern and acquire zock from Dusty Roots as his replacement.
- BESTIA acquire timo from VELOX Argentina.
The constant evolution shows Papo MC’s commitment to finding the right formula for international success. Similar to how players constantly optimize their cs2 skins loadouts, BESTIA keeps refining their roster.
What’s Next for BESTIA?
Despite the Austin Major setback, BESTIA continues competing at the highest South American level. Over the last month the team has played 9 matches, won 6 of them and climbed 22 positions in the ranking.
The team’s focus remains on:
- Qualifying for future Majors through RMR events
- Improving international LAN experience
- Developing young talent through their academy system
For fans interested in supporting South American CS2, BESTIA represents the passion and determination that makes the region special. Their story mirrors the broader narrative of teams fighting against systemic barriers to compete at the highest level.
Conclusion
BESTIA CS2 embodies Argentina’s fighting spirit in competitive Counter-Strike. From their founding in 2023 to their controversial Austin Major exclusion, they’ve shown resilience and skill that has earned them respect across the global CS2 community.
His accolades include numerous top-three finishes in various tournaments, culminating in at least 13 first-place victories. Currently competing for BST (BESTIA), Noktse consistently demonstrates skill and strategic prowess, contributing significantly to his team’s success.
Whether they’re battling visa issues or regional rivals, BESTIA continues pushing South American CS2 forward. Keep an eye on this team their best chapters may still be ahead.
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