How to Unlock Premier in CS2?
The arrival of CS2 stirred up a lot of hype around the renewed shooting franchise, and the introduction of the Premier mode was one of the standout features. Premier became an in-game option that borrows from the best practices of pro-like platforms like FACEIT and ESEA, allowing players to gear up for official tournaments. Thus, it includes a classic map’s veto-ban process, an ELO-based ranking system with regular points adding and deductions, and a common leaderboard with many filters.
However, not everyone who owns Counter-Strike 2 has access to this mode. There are actually only two reasons why you might be locked out, and this article will help you figure out how to unlock Premier mode in CS2.
How to Unlock CS2 Premier?
There are only two reasons that can block your access to the Premier mode: the absence of the Prime status or lack of in-game experience. How many matches to unlock CS2 Premier do you need, and what else needs to be done? The answers are in the sections below.
Gain More Experience
If you’ve just jumped into Counter-Strike 2 after registering on Steam and downloading the game, Premier mode won’t be the only limitation. Thus, you’ll need to reach your first experience level in Casual, Deathmatch, or Arms Race before you even gain access to Competitive and Wingman modes.
Limited Access to Matchmaking Modes Before Reaching Level 1
Premier mode, designed to mimic professional gaming, becomes available only after reaching level 10 of your CS2 account. How many games to unlock Premier CS2? It can take up to a few days or several dozen Competitive matches (depending on your individual progress), which should get you ready you for the toughest in-game mode.
Matchmaking Modes After Gaining Level 1 Experience
Buy Prime Status
Level 10 isn’t the only hurdle standing in your way to Premier mode. If you’re wondering how to unlock Premier in CS2, chances are you don’t have Prime status. Although CS2 is a free-to-play game, Valve has locked certain features, making them exclusive for those who are ready to shell out $14.99 for Prime status.
Once you’ve made the payment, you’ll unlock Premier mode, but that’s not all. You’ll also unlock Weekly Drops in CS2 of cases and skins, which can sometimes be pretty cool rewards for your time spent in-game.
To buy a Prime status and unlock Premier mode, you’ll need to follow a few simple steps:
Go to the Store tab in the game and click the green button “Buy Prime” to open the Steam overlay.
Add a Prime Status Upgrade to your cart.
Enter your payment information.
- Confirm the purchase.
Benefits and Features of Premier Mode
By unlocking Premier Mode, you’ll enjoy the following perks:
New ELO Ranking System
Valve has put in a lot of work to roll out an ELO system for matchmaking. It ensures that you are fairly evaluated after every match, allowing you to quickly rank up, face opponents of similar skill levels, and earn points based on your win-loss streaks.
Maps Veto/Ban Process
In Premier, map selection isn’t as simple as in Competitive mode, where you just tick off a map for your next match. Instead, you go through a standard veto-ban process with maps from the active duty map pool, just like it is implemented in official tournaments. This means that you need to be ready to play on at least one of four different battlegrounds.
High Level of Competition
With no limits, you can face stiff competition at any level and in every round, especially in the highest ranks. Early in CS2’s launch, many professional players jumped into Premier mode, and cleaning out cheaters could return the mode to this ideal competitive environment.
Ability to Develop Professionally
When comparing Competitive vs Premier in CS2, the latter is more focused on teamwork, as the team wins or losses matter more than an individual rating. While it may seem like an unfair system, it actually pushes you to play a team game being focused on teamwork rather than just run-and-gun tactics. Compared to other in-game modes, to succeed, you’ll need to learn the ropes of grenade lineups, strategic thinking, and coordinated tactical moves.
Conclusion
Premier mode stands as the pinnacle of competitive gaming in Counter-Strike 2, making it the goal for many players. That’s why we’ve broken down all the ins and outs of how to unlock Premier in CS2 fast and why you should do it if you’re serious about improving your gameplay.
