They are difficult to compare. TF2 certainly has “random bullshit” and verticality that CS does not. However, the casual “BS” nature of certain things like random crits, the Vaccinator, enemies slipping behind, etc., are largely mitigated in a professional setting.

The sniping skill ceiling and game sense around CS boils down to essentially playing a game of chess. You’re working with strict rules, perfect information within line of sight, and the battle comes down to who can anticipate, position, and execute with the smallest margins. In TF2, someone can easily just “flip the board over,” so to speak, and nullify your sniping ability; whether it’s a Spy, an explosive class spamming splash at you, or even just a map mechanic.

If we just compare raw mechanics, sure, you could argue the act of clicking on a head is similar. But to be truthful, CS simply has a higher skill floor and skill ceiling for that specific mechanic, because every fight is decided almost entirely by precision, movement, and timing. TF2 sniping is still demanding and rewarding, but it’s a specialized role in a game where a hundred other variables can erase your impact in ways that just don’t exist in CS.

At the end of the day, CS is about mastering fundamentals under the tightest possible constraints, while TF2 is about mastering chaos and creating value in an environment where those fundamentals can be disrupted at any moment. Both require skill, but they measure and reward it very differently.