Despite being over 20 years old, Counter-Strike is still actively receiving new players who are looking to try the game and maybe commit countless hours to it. However, we all have to start somewhere.
If you’re clicking on this article, there’s a good chance you’re new to the game. If you’ve been searching for CS:GO guides to learn the game, you can stop your search after reading ours. Let’s run you down CS:GO for beginners so you don’t look like a fish out of water.
Game Modes In Counter-Strike
The first thing we’ll talk about will be the game modes available in Counter-Strike. The game offers various game modes that will satisfy different types of players in the game.
Deathmatch
Deathmatch is a free-for-all game mode where players immediately respawn after dying. The goal is to get the highest number of points as possible, with each kill rewarding you with points. Deathmatch is the perfect game mode for players looking to warm up or get some practice in using different weapons in the game.
Casual
Casual is an unranked and more relaxing version of Competitive Mode. The basic rules of Competitive Mode apply in Casual Mode, where Terrorists will go against Counter-Terrorist to plant the bomb and defuse it.
Casual is amazing for new players looking to get a deeper understanding of the game and practice how ranked matchmaking will work out.
Competitive
Competitive Mode is essentially CS:GO’s most popular ranked game mode. In Competitive Mode, rules such as team damage and team collision are on, and players will get punished for leaving or abandoning a match.
Two teams of five will race to gather rounds by completing their respective objectives. The first team to reach 13 rounds will win the match. Ranks and skill groups will be updated after every match.
Wingman
Wingman is a miniature version of the Competitive Mode. It is also a ranked game mode, but instead of regular 5v5 matchmaking, players will engage in 2v2 gameplay, hence the name. Wingman Mode follows the same rules as Competitive Mode, except the map is shrunk and teams require fewer rounds to win a match.
Arms Race
Arms Race is similar to Deathmatch mode. However, the twist is that players must get kills using every weapon in the game to win. After getting a kill with a certain weapon, the player will be given a different weapon. The first player to get kills with every weapon will be victorious.
Danger Zone
Danger Zone is Counter-Strike’s Battle Royale game mode. Teams will parachute down to a map, where they will gather resources, eliminate enemy players, and scavenge their loot. The map will shrink over time and the final team remaining wins.
Basic Rules Of CS:GO Gameplay
Of all the game modes we’ve uncovered above, the Competitive Mode is by far the most popular one. This is because it is the only ranked mode in the game, allowing players to compete and improve their skills. Let’s go over the basic things you’ll expect to see in an average Counter-Strike match.
Team Objective
In a Competitive game of Counter-Strike, players are divided into two teams: Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists. The teams must complete the objective to earn rounds, which are required to win the game. Simply put, the game revolves around the C4 Explosive, also known as the “bomb”.
Terrorists will have possession of the bomb. Their objective is to hit a bomb site, plant the bomb, and buy enough time for it to explode. When the bomb explodes, Terrorists are automatically awarded with the round win since the objective is complete.
Counter-Terrorists have the task of defending bomb sites from the bomb. They need to try killing all Terrorist players before they can get the bomb down. If a bomb site has been breached and the bomb has been planted, Counter-Terrrorists need to retake the bomb site and defuse the bomb before it explodes.
However, both teams can also secure a round win through elimination. If a side kills all enemy players before the bomb has been planted, they will also win the round.
First To 13 Rounds
As covered earlier, teams have different tasks to secure rounds in an average game of Counter-Strike. That being said, teams must string together rounds to eventually win the game. The “magic number” is 13 rounds, as Counter-Strike is now played in the MR12 format.
MR12 stands for “Max Rounds 12,” meaning there is a maximum of 12 rounds per half. Each team will play on their respective sides for 12 rounds, and the half time break will commence. After half time ends, teams will swap sides. The first team to win 13 rounds before the enemy does will win the entire match.
Understanding The Economy System
In Competitive Mode, you won’t receive unlimited money to buy every round. There is an economy system where players will receive a certain sum of money after every round. This money will be used to purchase equipment such as weapons, armor, and grenades.
Teams must plan their purchases very carefully, as money is limited. In an average match, teams might have to go through “save rounds” due to a lack of funds to purchase full equipment.
Basic Gameplay Mechanics
Now, let’s give you a quick rundown of the most important mechanics in the game, so you can immediately become a helpful player on your team.
Movement
It is obvious that players must move around in Counter-Strike. There are four different forms of movement in this game.
- Running – is the default moving method in Counter-Strike. You are moving the fastest when running, however, your footsteps will be audible, revealing your position to enemy players nearby.
- Walking – done by moving while holding down the “SHIFT” key. Movement is slowed down, but no footstep noises will be made while walking. Use this when you are trying to conceal your presence.
- Crouching – essentially ducking in Counter-Strike. You are most accurate when shooting while you are crouching. However, movement speed is significantly decreased, and you will be exposed if you are in the open.
- Jumping – required to get on top of obstacles such as boxes. Jumping can also be used to scout for information. However, you are very inaccurate while jumping, so make sure to minimize shooting while jumping.
Shooting
Here are some things you should know about the shooting mechanics in Counter-Strike.
- Recoil – Every weapon in the game will have recoil when you are holding down fire. Weapons in the game have unique spray patterns that must be controlled for you to shoot accurately.
- Tapping – is the act of shooting bullets one by one at a time. This ensures the weapon will not have any recoil, as you are waiting for the weapon to reset every time you shoot. You must rely on your bullet accuracy.
- Spraying – is the act of holding down Mouse 1 and letting it rip. Spraying allows you to shoot as many bullets as possible in the least amount of time, however, you must control the spray pattern to shoot properly.
Weapon Types
In Counter-Strike, there are different classes of weapons, categorized by their functionality.
- Pistols – the most basic type of weapon. They are light to carry, but have weak firepower. However, they are very cheap in the shop.
- Rifles – the primary type of weapon in the game. They are well-versed in all ranges, and can be sprayed down. However, their recoil must be controlled carefully.
- SMGs – cheap weapons that are good for low buys. Their recoils are easy to control, and most SMGs can be used while running and gunning.
- Snipers – best used in long-ranged duels, usually to pick off enemy players in the open. Players must train quick adjustments and flicks to use the sniper effectively.
- Shotguns – close-ranged weapons that are very strong when shooting at an opponent right in front of you. However, shotguns are useless in long-ranged fights.
Grenades
On top of weapons, there are also grenades in Counter-Strike that serve various purposes.
- Flashbang – blinds enemy players when popped. Flashbangs can be used to set up teammates when they are about to peek a corner, but it can also be used to set up yourself if used properly.
- Smoke – creates a cloud of smoke that blocks vision. Smoke grenades are primarily used to gain map control by blocking off common angles and avoiding sniper line of sight.
- Molotov/Incendiary Grenade – creates flames on the ground. Molotovs are accessible to Terrorists, while Incendiary Grenades are accessible to Counter-Terrorists. These grenades are perfect to flush out enemy players hiding behind corners.
- HE Grenade – explodes and deals area-of-effect damage when thrown. HE Grenades are best thrown in tight choke points to deal damage to numerous enemies and soften them up.
Maps
There are various maps in Counter-Strike. Every map in the game has unique callouts and key areas that are highly contested.
It is crucial for players to learn the different callouts so they can communicate the whereabouts of enemy players to their teammates. It is your obligation as a teammate to relay information that will help your teammates. The current Active Duty Map pool features the following maps.
- Dust II
- Mirage
- Inferno
- Nuke
- Anubis
- Ancient
- Vertigo
Player Roles In Counter-Strike
Generally, new players don’t have to worry about roles within a team. However, we figured it would still be nice to tell you the five roles in Counter-Strike so you can start investing your time into which role you’d like to play in the future.
Entry Fragger
The entry fragger is often the player on the team with the strongest aiming skills. They are usually the first player to enter a bomb site, and using their individual skills, will try getting the opening kill for the team to advance.
Support Player
The support player does all the dirty work. They are usually at the back, supporting their teammates using flashbangs and other grenades. They can set up the entry fragger using well-timed flashbangs and force enemy players out of their positions using molotovs.
AWPer
The AWPer is the primary sniper for the team. As the name suggests, they will often be seen playing with the AWP, which is the one-shot one-kill sniper rifle in CS:GO. They will be at the back picking off enemies who are out of position and covering for their teammates at range.
Lurker
The lurker is the player who usually plays alone. They are often on the opposite side of the map, looking to gather information. Additionally, they will be tasked to cut off rotations and catch enemies off guard by flanking them.
In-game Leader
The in-game leader is pretty much the captain of the team. They are watching the map and analyzing common moves made by enemy players. Using the information they have gathered, they come up with strategies to use in the following rounds.