Counter-Strike 2 has arrived on Steam, bringing with it a wave of excitement among fans worldwide. This classic FPS game has undergone significant changes, not just in terms of gameplay mechanics and movements but also in its ranking system. In this article, we’ll delve into the intricacies of how the new ranking system in Counter-Strike 2 works.
Since the launch of Counter-Strike 2, devoted players have flocked back to the game to explore its new features. Among these features, the ranking system stands out as a notable change. In Counter-Strike 2, there are now two distinct types of ranking: Competitive Rank and Premier Rating.
While Competitive Rank might seem familiar to CS:GO players, Counter-Strike Premier Rating is a brand-new concept introduced in CS2. This rating is influenced by your performance in the new Premier mode, which spans across all maps and places you on a seasonal, regional leaderboard.
Now, let’s find out how the new ranking system works!
Counter-Strike 2 Competitive Rank Explained
The most significant alteration lies in the Competitive Rank system. In CS:GO, your rank is tied to your account, but in Counter-Strike 2, your competitive rank varies for each map. To achieve a rank on a specific map, players must win 10 games on that map. For instance, you could be a Silver in Mirage but a Gold Nova in Inferno.
Rank Separation by Maps ensures that you play with opponents of similar skill levels on each map, making matches enjoyable for everyone. If you excel on Mirage, expect challenging foes. However, if your skills on Dust II are lacking, your opponents will be less proficient, providing a chance to hone your abilities.
The CS2 Competitive Ranks mirror those of CS:GO.
- Silver 1
- Silver 2
- Silver 3
- Silver 4
- Silver Elite
- Silver Elite Master
- Gold Nova 1
- Gold Nova 2
- Gold Nova 3
- Gold Nova Master
- Master Guardian 1
- Master Guardian 2
- Master Guardian Elite
- Distinguished Master Guardian
- Legendary Eagle
- Legendary Eagle Master
- Supreme Master First Class
- Global Elite
Pros and Cons of the New Competitive Ranking System
Every major change sparks a debate, and CS2’s new competitive ranking system is no exception. Here’s a glimpse of the pros and cons:
Pros:
- Skill Focus: You can concentrate on enhancing your skills for each map.
- Balanced Matches: Expect balanced competition on each map.
- Map Mastery: You’ll gain in-depth knowledge of the maps since you must win 10 games on each.
Cons:
- Map-Based Separation: The player base will be separated greatly based on preferred maps.
- Difficulty Finding Matches: Finding matches on less popular maps might be harder.
- Grindy Progression: Unlocking all ranks demands considerable time and effort.
Premier Rank Explained
The Premier ranking system in Counter-Strike 2 differs significantly from the traditional competitive ranks. Instead of conventional ranks, Premier employs ‘CS Rating,’ a visible elo number that adjusts based solely on your wins and losses.
To earn your placement rating in Premier, you must win 10 games. These ratings start at 0 and extend upwards, with the highest-ranked player setting the bar at over 40,000. Each 5000 elo range is represented by a different color, and we’ve provided rough CS:GO rank estimates as well:
- 0-4,999 – Grey (Silver – Gold Nova)
- 5,000-9,999 – Light Blue (Gold Nova – MG)
- 10,000-14,999 – Blue (MG – LE)
- 15,000-19,999 – Purple (LEM – Supreme)
- 20,000-24,999 – Pink (Supreme – Global)
- 25,000-29,999 – Red (Global)
- 30,000+ – Yellow/Gold (Global)
Think of the color of your rating as your ‘rank.’ This system draws inspiration from FACEIT, a third-party service popular among many CS:GO players, which utilizes a number rating system and levels akin to CS2’s new CS rating.
