All CS2 Game Modes

Even experienced players don’t always know all the available game modes in CS2, especially after the update from CS:GO where Valve cut some of the modes. Considering that most players just focus on the Premier or Competitive game modes, it isn’t strange that they forget about all the other possibilities. However, the game offers a whole range of options to keep you entertained at all times. Read on to see a complete explanation of all game modes in Counter-Strike 2 that are available as of early 2024.

Competitive

If you’ve ever watched a professional Counter-Strike 2 match, then you’ve already seen the Competitive mode in action. It includes two teams consisting of five players each to play a twenty-four-round match, which is from CS:GO’s 30-round games. Teams switch sides after 12 rounds, and the first squad to grab thirteen points wins.

Unlike in the Global Offensive version, with a possibility of a tie, if both teams win 15 rounds, CS2 competitive games include one extra time if the score reaches 12-12. It means 6 more rounds to choose the winner if one of the sides wins 4 rounds or the game ends in a draw if both win 3 rounds.

Although rounds usually last up to 1 minute and 55 seconds, they can be prolonged if the Terrorists manage to plant the bomb. This leaves 45 seconds until the bomb explodes or is defused by the Counter-Terrorists. An average Competitive match lasts about 40 minutes and can even take more than an hour, depending on how the game moves on.

Leaving a Competitive match before it ends will result in a penalty. You will be banned from matchmaking for a certain period. The minimum ban is 30 minutes, and it can go up to several days when you violate the rules frequently. However, teams can vote to surrender, ending the game earlier without any penalties.

Inferno and Mirage are often debated as the most balanced map in CS2 for competitive play.

It was one of the most popular regimes among all CS2 modes in CS:GO, but the appearance of Premier mode heavily turned things in favor of the latter. Still, if you want to play a particular CS2 map (even the one that isn’t present in the official map pool, like Dust 2 or Office) and don’t want to rely on the pre-match votes — Competitive mode is a perfect choice.

Another difference between the two regimes is the ranking system. While it is common for all maps in the Premier mode, you have to gain a rank for every Competitive map separately. It excludes playing against the players who got an impressive rank playing only a single map but feel uncomfortable on others.

Pros:

1. Skill-based matchmaking;
2. A greater challenge;
3. Separate rank for each map.

Cons:

1. Leaving a match results in a penalty;
2. Increasing ranks takes a lot of time.

Premier

During the CS2 beta testing, Valve added the Premier mode, which was like a variation of the Competitive format but with a separate ranking ELO-like system. Another distinctive feature is that players have to choose the map each time via common voting, just like professional teams do before each matchup. That is why only officially confirmed competitive maps are available for selection here — no Dust 2, Office, or Italy.

However, the in-game rules are completely the same as in the Competitive mode: MR12 system, one extra time if the match ends 12-12, and so on. The new and unique ranking system boosted the popularity of this game mode, but the flooding of players brought many cheaters as well. The absence of adequate in-built Anti-Cheat forced many players to stop playing this mode, although it looks the most balanced for the perfect 5x5 battles.

Pros:

1. Map vote-ban system like on the Pro scene;
2. Skill-based approach for opponent selection;
3. Renewed ranking system with good visual stats.

Cons:

1. Mod’s popularity attracted too many cheaters;
2. Playing favorite maps can be pretty rare even if synchronized map vote-ban approach.

Casual

Casual matches are similar to Competitive ones, but they have some different regulations. There are up to 10 players on each side, and you can switch sides at any time. Also, the economic system isn’t that harsh, meaning that you usually have enough money to buy any weapon, even when you lose. Your team should only win 8 rounds to win the match.

The rounds last up to 2 minutes and 15 seconds. There are many differences, like disabled friendly fire, no team collision, the possibility to spectate the game from any player’s view, and the default Kevlar + Helmet. It is worth noting that players of significantly different skill levels can be encountered here, as this mode doesn’t use skill-based matchmaking.

Unlike the Competitive or Premier modes, Casual is among the available CS2 game types for non-prime players and is suitable for newbies. Another distinctive feature is the ability to play the map Italy, which is joined with the Office as the Hostage Group and unavailable in the Premier mode.

Pros:

1. Anyone can join the game;
2. You can leave whenever you get bored.

Cons:

1. No skill-based matchmaking;
2. A lot of chaos on the map, especially at the beginning of the round.

Deathmatch

Deathmatch will probably be one of your first game modes in Counter-Strike 2, as it is relatively simple to play. Even if you die, you will constantly respawn and have the opportunity to keep on playing non-stop. The mode allows up to 16 players to join and has a single long round that lasts 10 minutes, with the winner being the player with the highest score.

Although you are still required to choose the T or CT side here, this only determines whether you can buy the AK-47 or M4s with some other distinctive weapons. There are no economic dilemmas in this mode, as you can buy/take/change any weapon after respawning, and you should kill everyone (even teammates) to grab kills and score points. However, sometimes you will be given a “Bonus Weapon” that gives you more points per kill for a short timeframe.

Generally, this is one of the CS2 game modes where you can test any weapon, be it a gun or a knife, without being penalized. It’s the best option for beginners or if you finally want to understand where to use the Negev effectively. 

Pros:

1. You can practice playing with any weapon;
2. Infinite respawns;
3. No obligations.

Cons:

1. Might feel too chaotic for beginners;
2. There might be too many bots.

Wingman

This is one of the game modes in CS2 that takes place in small areas that usually have limited portions of regular maps with a single bombsite. There are only two players on each team, so it’s a perfect way to spend time with your gaming buddy. There are 8 rounds per side, with each lasting up to 1 minute and 30 seconds.

This is considered to be a separate Competitive game mode with its own ranking system. That’s why leaving in the middle of a match will also ban you from matchmaking for a certain time. Still, it’s a great option if you don’t want to rely on a large team. As of early 2024, there are only four maps available in the Wingman CS2 mode: Overpass, Vertigo, Inferno, and Nuke.

Pros:

1. You can play with a single friend;
2. Your impact is prominent;
3. Teaches effective teamwork.

Cons:

1. You might end up with a bad teammate;
2. Can’t be interrupted without penalties.

Arms Race

Arms Race became the first from the list of War Games (Demolition, Flying Scoutsman, and Retakes) CS modes that were added to the Counter-Strike 2 after the February 2024 update. At the moment of writing this guide, there are only two maps available — Baggage and Shoots.

The goal remained the same as it was in CS:GO’s Arms Race — eliminate as many players as possible. There are infinite respawns, but you cannot choose your weapon. You must kill two enemies with each weapon to progress to the next level. The best players of both teams are always highlighted and seen through the entire map. Killing a team leader instantly upgrades you to the next weapon, while killing someone with a knife reduces the enemy’s progress.

Pros:

1. Fast-paced;
2. Forces you to play with different weapons;
3. Infinite respawns.

Cons:

1. You can get used to the infinite respawns, and their absence will look annoying in other Competitive modes.

Danger Zone (Absent / In Progress)

That is one of the Counter-Strike 2 game modes that is absent in the game but was present in the Global Offensive version and conquered a stable fanbase. In the former game version, Danger Zone was an adaptation of the Battle Royal survival regime to Counter-Strike so that players could enjoy new maps and intensity with a habitual weapon and shooting.

Summary

We have reviewed all the available options in this CS2 game modes guide. As you can see, it’s not always about two teams fighting each other to plant a bomb or secure a hostage. Counter-Strike 2 still lacks some modes, especially the variety of War Games in CS:GO, but it has all the means to keep you entertained, even when the general concept bores you. That’s why you can keep on enjoying the game at all times.

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