

CS2 Economy Explained
Counter-Strike 2’s economy is at the center of balance for the game. Economic decisions made throughout a game can determine the trajectory of a team despite superior skills elsewhere. With money comes guns, armor, and grenades, all helping you gain that edge over your opponents and making a round much easier to win. Accordingly, to master the game, it’s paramount to understand how the CS2 economy works and to master this intricate economic layer of CS2. This article will cover the basics of the economy in CS2.
The Basics of CS2’s Economy

Starting every game, players are granted $800 on what is known as the pistol round, as only pistols are in play. All funds remaining in your balance are transferred over to the following round, along with all equipment, including weapons, armor, grenades, and even defuse kits. At half time, which is always the 13th round, teams switch sides, players are set back to the default $800, and a second pistol round commences. The maximum amount of money a player can hold is $16,000.
How to Earn Money in CS2

To start, let’s cover the basics of income, coming from four main sources:
Round Wins: Winning rounds grant significant money to all players in that winning team. Round wins are essential because they set your team one step closer to the win and provide momentum through the economic advantage you and your team can snowball with. A standard-round win provides each player with $3,250. On rounds when the bomb explodes or when the bomb is defused, the respective winning teams receive $3,500 instead of the standard $3,250. This will be the primary way to build your CS2 economy.
Round Loss: Though losing rounds is a step backward, there are still benefits to help your team bounce back. The first round lost by a team grants $1,400 per player, and each consecutive round loss after that relies on a mechanic called a loss bonus. Capped out at four subsequent rounds lost, each loss bonus point provides an additional $500, with the maximum amount received by a team being $3400. This is even more than the economic boost given by a round win for the enemy team, so a comeback is always in sight as your team’s economy levels out. Your loss bonus can be seen in the middle right of the scoreboard.
Kills: Neutralizing opponents is another massive source of income. This way is a bit more nuanced, with each weapon providing different “kill rewards,” giving certain weapons an edge over others regarding the money they can bring back. For example, SMGs and shotguns generally provide higher rewards, between $600-$900 per kill, compared to rifles, which only provide $300, and the knife, which provides an astounding $1500! The difference in kill rewards is mainly to balance the economy, as a team that could afford rifles over SMGs would presumably have more money, so lowering their kill rewards leads to a smaller gap. A more detailed list of all weapon’s kill rewards in the CS2’s economy are listed below (Note: These are only applicable to competitive. Different numbers are needed for casual):
Kill Rewards

Pistols: All pistols provide a $300 kill reward
Shotguns: All shotguns provide a $900 kill reward, except the XM1014, providing $600
Heavy: Both the M249 and the Negev provide a $300 kill reward
SMGs: All SMGs provide a $600 kill reward except the P90, providing $300
Rifles: All rifles provide a $300 kill reward except the AWP, providing $100
Grenades: All grenade kills provide a $300 kill reward
Equipment: The Knife has the highest kill reward of all weapons, giving $1500 for each enemy stabbed, and the Zeus provides just $100 for each enemy electrocuted.
Objectives: Whether you win or lose, planting the bomb provides the whole Terrorist team with an extra $300. The same goes for the Counter-Terrorists – defusing the bomb provides an additional $250.
Best Weapons to Buy in the CS2 Economy

At the start of each round, players can buy weapons, armor, and utility using the money they’ve gathered from previous rounds. Here are some considerations for spending:
Weapon Choice: Deciding which weapon to buy is crucial. A team with full Kevlar and rifles will almost certainly win a round versus opponents with pistols. Better weapons require a significant investment; however, multiple rounds of saving are often required to purchase weapons such as the AWP, which has a steep price tag of $4,750. Depending on the map and what angle you choose to hold, SMGs can just as easily overpower rifles, so it’s crucial that you play to your weapon’s advantage.
Kevlar and Helmet: Investing in Kevlar ($650) and a helmet (an additional $350) is a must if you have the money. With just Kevlar, a Glock that would normally do 29 damage (depending on range) to the torso would inflict just 14 damage if you purchased Kevlar. It’s rarely a good idea to force buy an AWP or rifle and not have enough cash to get Kevlar or a helmet. On the CT side, however, you do have the option to go without a helmet if you know that the opposing team can also fully buy, as an AK-47 is capable of one tapping regardless of whether you have a helmet. Refer to this in-depth CS2 economy guide to learn more about buying strategies.
Utility Items: Grenades can differentiate between winning or losing a round. A well-timed incendiary grenade can stop a rush in its tracks, protecting your site and changing the round outcome. Other pieces of utility are similarly helpful, with smoke grenades allowing you to execute a site take by blocking the vision of critical defending angles. Make sure you have enough money in your current round to buy these vital tools, but maybe don’t invest all your money; buy what you need! You can learn more about utility usage in this article. In both a buy round and eco round, it is also essential for at least one team member to invest in a defuse kit.
Wrapping Up!
The economy of Counter-Strike 2 adds a layer of depth and strategy that sets it apart from other shooters in its genre. Mastering this aspect is just as essential to achieving consistent improvement as abilities such as aim and game knowledge. Understanding how to earn, spend, and manage money effectively can give you an advantage over your opposing team. Whether you’re a casual or competitive player, a firm grasp of the CS2 economy can significantly boost your performance and enjoyment of the game.
Refer to this article on our site to learn more about economic strategies, including when to force buy, when an eco round becomes a good idea, and how particular rounds impact future rounds. Keep learning about other aspects of CS2, which can be found here on this blog. Stay sharp, and have fun out there!
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