Every CS2 Game Mode Explained

Imagine sitting there with a full stack and not deciding on a mode. There are so many options, but what are they? This article will walk you through all the game modes that CS2 offers so you never stare at the lobby confused again!

Over the past two decades, CS has acquired a large number of fantastic game modes that are open to all players. The best part about all the game modes CS2 offers is the variety of competitive and casual modes. Whether you’re sitting down after a long day to relax or want to prove you are the best of the best, CS2 will always have the game modes for you!

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CS2 Guides

What Are the CS2 Game Modes?

Premier

Premier is one of the best competitive game modes in CS2. Featuring a unique number-based rank, Premier has shot up in popularity since its overhaul upon the release of CS2. Unlike other game modes in which maps can be selected on and off when queuing Premier, you never know what map you’ll be playing! To start, Premier games work off of a map ban selection method in which the final unbanned map is the one on which the match will be played. At the start of every match (following the initial rank-deciding matches), at the top of the screen will be a projection of the loss effects and win effects upon your rank. This game mode is a common five-on-five match that ends at either a thirteen-round victory or a sixteen-round overtime victory, which is achieved if both teams tie at twelve to twelve. Another fascinating fact about this game mode is the in-game leaderboard, which is the only one with CS2!

Competitive

Competitive is just a classic. Representing the classic rank system, It is truly a fantastic game mode. Unlike the previous game mode, competitive runs on the traditional silver-to-global rank system. This game mode has become one of the most popular CS2 with over thirteen new and old maps. To achieve a rank in this mode, players must secure two wins, after which an amazing rank will be attached.

Similarly to Premier, Competitive awards the win to the first team to reach 13 wins in rounds, but in contrast to Premier, Competitive does not have overtime. Instead, a twelve-to-twelve score ends in a tie. This game mode’s excellent classic showcase of ranks for each specific map makes it one of the best modes CS2 offers.

For complete guides on how to master all CS2's maps, check out our map guides!

CS2 Map Guides

Wingman

Wingman is a unique game mode. Unlike any other in the genre, it offers a fascinating two-against-two style. Wingman is unique in many ways, but one of the coolest is that it has some fascinating, strictly unique maps. Along with exclusive maps, Wingman also has a showcase of edited-only one bombsite maps in which players can fight each other to defuse the bomb and kill the enemy team. Unlike any other mode, Wingman works on a first-team to-rounds system, with no overtime, only an eight-to-eight tie. Similarly to the competitive game mode, Wingman uses silver in the global rank system. However, it is important to note that your Wingman rank is entirely separate from your competitive rank.

Casual

Casual is the perfect mode to relax and shoot heads in. In contrast to other more competitive modes, Casual offers a slower-paced ten versus ten game where players can have fun without worrying about loss. Since Casual is one of the more laid-back modes, players can come and go whenever they like, as there is no penalty for leaving a match. Casual offers a wide variety of maps that can be selected in groups of three, unlike the competitive game modes where maps can be selected individually. Casual still offers XP upon the completion of games, but no rank or status comes from either wins or losses.

Hostage

Hostage Rescue is a highly vintage game mode. Offering a distinctive game that is very much separate from other bomb-defusal modes, Hostage Rescue allows you to rescue helpless NPCs! This game mode provides two exclusive maps: Office and Italy. A match within this mode is comprised of the Terrorist side trying to hold the hostages well. The Counter-Terrorists are tasked with killing the terrorists, rescuing the hostages, and bringing them back to a drop location. Hostage Rescue is one of the quirkiest modes CS2 has to offer.

Deathmatch

As far as CS2 game modes are concerned, this mode is an absolute masterpiece. Warmup is the best mode to sit back and click, perfect for warming up or simply tapping heads. Deathmatch is designed to be a pure killing simulator that assigns points to each kill, providing unique bonus kills for specific weapons throughout the match. Upon the game’s completion, the top three players with the highest scores are awarded bronze third place, silver second place, or gold first place. These awards are not significant by any rank but add to the XP gained from the match.

Arms Race

Arms Race is a chaotic mode full of fun and surprise. Designed to be an extremely fast-paced elimination mode, Arms Race is purely casual. Players are spawned into a map in which they must kill each other using a progression of weapons ending in the famous golden knife; whoever kills with the golden knife first is the winner of the race. This game mode is a glorious display of chaos and disarray as players scramble around close-knit maps in search of players to kill and level up.

As you can see, all CS2 game modes are fantastic! We can’t wait to see what other game modes the developers at Valve create; we also honor the fallen game modes: RIP Danger Zone. If we missed any information or you want to share your favorite mode, feel free to leave a comment below, and thanks for reading!

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