Every year, Activision’s premier esports league draws the attention of Call of Duty enthusiasts globally. The 2023 CDL season was no different, setting a record viewership as the world’s top CoD players vie for ultimate glory.
However, when you look at the roster of top-tier talent and high-octane plays, a key question among community members is: Who were the best CoD players in 2023? In this guide, we’ll highlight the top-performing players in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
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Why Did We Pick These CDL Players?
Our CDL picks are based on an analysis of each player’s performance over the 2023 Call of Duty League Season. In particular, we reviewed the kill-death differential as well as a few other signals to gain a simple but intuitive reflection of their overall impact.
We recognize that KDs are influenced by different roles and playstyles, making the differential a more direct and grounded measure of performance. That said, this list is not intended to rank or compare players’ skills, but to ascertain their contributions to the team’s overall success.
Please note: These picks are based on the author’s opinion and do not necessarily align with all Thunderpick staff.
Tyler “aBeZy” Pharris (Atlanta FaZe)
Tyler “aBeZy” Pharris’s status as a top-tier CDL player in 2023 is undisputed. As the Major 2 champion, he put up an incredible fight and closed the season with a 1.07 KD (+240) overall. He also closely trailed HyDra on Search and Destroy (S&D), with an impressive 1.22 KD (+96).
At the same time, aBeZy maintained respectable KDs of 1.03 (+57) and 1.08 (+87) on Hardpoint and Control, respectively, with over $1.2 million in lifetime earnings. Paired with Cellium, the U.S. titan has an indomitable presence in the CDL.
McArthur “Cellium” Jovel (Atlanta FaZe)
ATL FaZe veteran star McArthur “Cellium” Jovel has racked up an impressive CDL record since joining in 2019, boasting an expansive collection of trophies at key events with the team. He leads the CDL 2023 standings with a 1.2 KD (+682) across all game modes, exemplifying his masterclass gameplay and adaptability.
Placing 3rd at the CDL 2023 Playoffs, Cellium was pivotal in Atlanta FaZe’s 3-1 victories over Boston Breach and Seattle Surge before being halted by the NY Subliners. Despite this setback, the Serpent King’s performance still earned him a spot in the All-Star First Team.
A versatile and highly talented player, Cellium’s skill transcends the numbers. His clutch plays and superior positioning have repeatedly steered ATL FaZe to victory in difficult times, garnering him the title of being the “epitome of a hard kill” among pros.
Thomas “Scrappy” Ernst (Toronto Ultra)
Thomas “Scrappy” Ernst’s breakout year exceeded many fans’ expectations, particularly given his fiery temperament. Earning the Rookie of the Year and Major 3 MVP award, the Toronto Ultra pro not only backed up his bold statements but hit back at his competitors, securing a solid 1.13 KD (+431) overall.
Placing in the top 5 in all game modes, Scrappy performed especially well on Control, with a 1.19 KD (+181) and dishing out 2529 damage and 20.1 kills per 10 minutes. He’s still relatively new to the scene, but Scrappy established a strong foothold in the CDL and made it clear that he’s here to stay.
Amer “Pred” Zulbeari (OpTic Texas)
Australian pro gamer Amer “Pred” Zulbeari’s tenure with Seattle Surge may not seem remarkable, particularly compared to his 16-win streak at APAC Challengers in 2020. Yet, Pred demonstrated resilience and skill, securing the runner-up spot and $120,000 at Major 1 against the NY Subliners last year.
He further shocked fans by helping SEA Surge beat ATL FaZe at the CDL 2023 World Championship, closing the season 4th with a 1.1 KD (+184) in Hardpoint, 1.26 KD (+92) in S&D, and 1.17 KD (+153) in Control.
While it’s clear that Pred is an incredibly skilled Call of Duty player, his recent acquisition by OpTic Texas positions him well for a possible Grand Finals victory at Champs in 2024, especially playing alongside CDL stalwarts Kenny, Dashy, and Shotzzy.
Brandon “Dashy” Otell (OpTic Texas)
Canadian AR main Brandon “Dashy” Otell has consistently proven his ability to execute incredible plays despite not yet securing a championship ring. His role in leading OpTic Texas to two consecutive Major trophies reaffirms his impact, which includes making clutch plays when his team most needs it.
Some notable moments include a last-second wall bang on aBeZy during the Major 5 Qualifiers in Week 1, a play that clinched the round for OpTic. Another standout play was his squad-wipe of Boston Breach in the Major 3 Round 4 Elim matchup, which showcased his sharpshooting skills.
Dashy ended the 2023 CDL season with commendable statistics across all game modes: 1.10 KD (+154) in HP, averaging 22.10 kills per 10 minutes, 1.14 KD in S&D (+48), and 1.05 KD in Control (+47). With that, it seems inevitable that a World Championship title is well within his reach.
Honorable Mentions
We want to recognize the following Call of Duty esports players for delivering incredible performances throughout the season. We also want to honor a few retired pros:
- Tobias “CleanX” Juul Jønsson (Toronto Ultra)
- Zack “Drazah” Jordan (Atlanta FaZe)
- Kenneth “Kenny” Williams (OpTic Texas)
- Adrian “MettalZ” Serrano (Miami Heretics)
- Anthony “Shotzzy” Cuevas-Castro (OpTic Texas)
- Daunte “Sib” Gray (New York Subliners)
- Chris “Simp” Lehr (Atlanta FaZe)
- Austin “SlasheR” Liddicoat (Boston Breach)
Retired Pros
- Ian “Crimsix” Porter (ex-New York Subliners)
- Matthew “FormaL” Piper (ex-OpTic Chicago)
- Damon “Karma” Barlow (OpTic Texas, coach)
- Sam “Octane” Larew (LA Thieves, Twitch streamer)
- Seth “Scump” Abner (OpTic Gaming streamer)
Who Was The Best COD Player Overall?
Paco “HyDra” Rusiewiez’s performance in the 2023 CoD esports season was nothing short of incredible. The French all-star won Major 1 and 5, secured the World Champion title, and was recognized as the Regular Season MVP. In other words, he arguably had the best individual season in CDL history.
In Hardpoint, his impressive 1.2 KD (+396) came second only to Cellium, highlighted further by averaging 26 kills every 10 minutes on LAN. In S&D, HyDra showcased remarkable skill with a 1.25 KD (+107) and 0.85 kills per round, complemented by a steady 1.09 KD (+107) in Control on LAN.
These stats underscore HyDra’s incredible performance with the New York Subliners’ and put a spotlight on his contribution to the team’s triumphs. If anything is certain, HyDra is a slayer to keep a close eye on in the Call of Duty 2024 season.
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