CS2 Arms Race

CS2 Arms Race is a deathmatch game mode where players unlock new weapons by taking out enemies. The mode is extremely fast-paced and, most importantly, tons of fun. It was added to CS2 on February 7, 2024 as part of the “Call to Arms” update. Want to dive deeper into the changes in CS game modes and pick up some tips on how to play Arms Race in CS2? You’ve come to the right place!

What is the Arms Race in CS2?

The Arms Race is a fresh take on the deathmatch in CS2. However, it differs from the classic deathmatch by having a twist of progression. Unlike classic deathmatch, where you just rack up kills with the same weapons, here you work your way through an arsenal. The point of the mode is that you kick things off with the most powerful rifle, and for every two kills, you move on to a different weapon. The endgame? Nail a kill with the coveted gold knife.

If you get taken down, no worries—you’ll respawn on the map a few seconds later with the same weapon you had before. Plus, for Arms Race in CS2, Valve has added some cool new features that were previously missing. For example, the ability to set back your opponent's progress by taking them out with a knife or Zeus x27 taser. Let's break it down further.

Maps

CS:GO included seven maps designed specifically for the Arms Race mode. Currently, they are trimmed down to three CS2 Arms Race maps: Baggage, Shoots, and Pool Day.

Nonetheless, there are some rumors going around that the developers are actively working on tweaking the old maps to bring them back in a future update.

Teams

Just like in other CS2 modes, Arms Race features two classic teams — Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists. However, the maximum player count has been bumped up to 12 (from the usual 10).

Rounds

The Counter-Strike 2 Arms Race is made up of just one round, which is limited to run for 10 minutes. As you’d expect, the round wraps up when there’s a winner or when the time runs out.

Goal

Each player’s objective is to rack up 16 points by taking out enemies and eventually earning a gold knife. After that, you can win by landing a kill using this weapon. The catch is that you’ve got to be the first player to pull this off. While all the usual teamplay rules still apply, keep in mind that there can be only one winner, so you’ll need to outshine your own teammates!

Revival

In this mode, respawning happens instantly. To stop your opponents from exploiting this feature to rack up easy kills, the developers added a spawn shield to protect you from damage as long as you don’t move.

Weapons

Here’s where things get interesting: in Arms Race, you don’t buy guns. Instead, you unlock new weapons by making frags. You start off with a rifle and work your way through shotguns and pistols until you finally get your hands on the golden knife. Also, players can’t drop their guns, and once someone dies, their equipped weapon vanishes. All the guns in the mode have unlimited ammo, but you’ll still need to reload them.

Interface

The interface in CS Arms Race is simple and easy to follow. At the top, you’ll find a list of all players and their current weapons. In the bottom right corner, you’ll see your current weapon, and just below that, the weapons you’ll be getting in the next levels. Other than that, the interface doesn’t really stray from what you’d find in any other mode.

CS2 Arms Race Rules

As we’ve mentioned earlier, each round of this mode is a team-based competitive deathmatch. To come out on top, you’ll need to prove your skills with a wide range of weapons — that’s the whole point behind the Counter-Strike Arms Race. Landing knife kills to win might seem tough, but hey, we never said it’s going to be a walk in the park!

You’ve got to rack up two frags with each weapon to level up and move on to the next one. As soon as you pull that off, the gun will switch automatically. All in all, you need to score 33 frags to win, but considering you can also lose levels, it will probably take a lot more than that.

One more thing: you can use a knife or Zeus x27 regardless of what weapon you’re currently holding. If you manage to take down an enemy with one of these, you’ll immediately unlock a new weapon. Moreover, the unfortunate player you eliminated will get knocked down a level. Just keep in mind that the Zeus x27 isn’t available once you reach the gold knife.

When you’re killed with any other weapon, you’ll respawn immediately with the gun you were holding before you died. You’ll also get a few seconds of damage protection — or until you start moving — so you don’t have to worry about getting picked off as soon as you spawn.

Each round lasts for 10 minutes. The match ends when someone bags a kill with the gold knife. After that, the lucky player takes the win, with second and third places going to those who were closest to sealing the deal. If no one manages to hit the main goal before time runs out, the player with the highest score takes the crown.

Weapon Order in Arms Race

According to the CS2 Arms Race update rules, players have to work their way through a specific weapon lineup:

1. 1 automatic rifle (SCAR):

1. 1 sniper rifle (AWP):

1. 4 assault rifles:

1. 1 machine gun:

1. 3 submachine guns:

1. 1 heavy pistol (Desert Eagle or R8):

1. 3 usual pistols:

1. 2 shotguns:

1. Gold knife:

Arms Race Tips

No Arms Race guide would be complete without some solid advice. First things first, forget about the strategies you rely on in traditional Counter-Strike matches. For instance, camping isn’t going to cut it here due to the small maps and instant respawns. Instead, here are some tips on what you should focus on:

1. Get through the third level of weapon progression as soon as possible. Unlocking assault rifles will give you a slight edge over the opponents still using the SCAR or AWP. This way, you’ll be able to rack up frags more quickly.
2. Stay active throughout the entire round until you reach a gold knife. Don’t just sit back and wait for enemies to come to you. This mode rewards a fast, aggressive playstyle, so keep pushing forward and hunt down those frags!
3. Never overlook the power of a humble knife. Early frags with a knife or Zeus x27 are extremely valuable because they push you up a weapon level while also slowing your enemies back.
4. Once you get your hands on the gold knife, find a perfect spot for your final move. The best way to catch your enemy off guard is to jump out from behind a corner or set up an ambush. Alternatively, you could hide somewhere in the middle of a map and strike an unsuspecting opponent.
5. Master the bunny hop. Some players may claim this movement mechanic no longer works, but that’s not true. The bunny hop helps you move faster, which is a big advantage in Arms Race. Not sure how to pull it off? Check out our guide on bunny hopping in CS2.

Conclusion

Arms Race in Counter-Strike 2 is a fantastic way to sharpen your gun skills. You might not use shotguns, but Arms Race will force you to grab a few kills with them if you want to come out on top. However, keep in mind that the Arms Race has never been just a training ground. First and foremost, it's fun, especially when playing with friends. This mode shakes things up from the usual deathmatch, and players can’t get enough of it.