All CS2 Game Modes Explained: Ultimate Guide

There are tons of different CS2 game modes, each with a specific purpose. Some are ideal for experienced players, while others are the perfect choice for those new to the game. What is a simple warmup tool for one player, may be the entire game for another.

It can be difficult to separate the CS2 game modes – we’re explaining each and every one of them here, so you can find out which ones are right for you! With our guide to all the game modes in CS2, you’ll know exactly what you should be queueing with your friends.

All Bomb Defusal Game Modes in CS2

Bomb Defusal is the primary game mode in CS2. It’s the mode played in the competitive esports scene, and is synonymous with Counter-Strike at this point. The concept is simple – T-side players try to eliminate the CTs or plant the bomb to win the round. CT-side players must eliminate the Ts, or defuse the bomb before it explodes if planted.

The Bomb Defusal CS2 game mode is separated into various playlists, featuring varying degrees of competitiveness. You can find all the information about the various Bomb Defusal CS2 game modes below!

Premier

Premier is the main ranked CS2 game mode, and the closest thing it has to a competitive experience. Teams do a full map veto before every match, and there are extensive leaderboards keeping track of your progress every Season. In CS2 Premier mode, every match is Bomb Defusal – there’s no way to play Hostage Rescue here. This CS2 game mode assigns you a numerical rank after 10 wins; your Premier CS Rating is a good indicator of your general skill level. In Premier, one set of Overtime rounds is played in the event of a draw.

To play Premier, you have to be Level 10 in CS2.

Competitive (Bomb Defusal)

Despite the name, Competitive (Bomb Defusal) isn’t quite as competitive as Premier. The bonus here is that you can queue any map you want, allowing you to play your favorite CS2 maps every time. No more slugging it through maps you don’t want to play anymore. In Competitive, you gain a rank per map, using the old CS:GO ranking system from Silver 1 to Global Elite. Standard MR12 rules apply here, but if a match is a draw, it finishes without Overtime.

To play the Competitive (Bomb Defusal) game mode in CS2, your account needs to be Level 2.

Casual (Bomb Defusal)

The Casual (Bomb Defusal) CS2 game mode is chaos. 10v10, shorter and fewer rounds, far more buy time, everyone has Kevlar and a helmet by default. It all gets a bit crazy – you can even drop in and drop out of Casual matches at any time, making it perfect for those just starting out with CS2 to learn the ropes in this game mode. Experienced players may never touch Casual at all, but it’s a valuable addition to the experience.

Wingman

Wingman is arguably the most unique of all the Bomb Defusal CS2 game modes. It’s 2v2, played on smaller versions of the main CS2 maps in shorter matches than usual. Rounds are very swift, making Wingman a great way to practice attacking and defending specific bomb sites. In Wingman, you have one rank for the entire game mode.

All Hostage Rescue CS2 Game Modes

Hostage Rescue is arguably the least popular of all the CS2 game modes. CTs must eliminate the Ts and extract the hostages, while Ts need to simply kill all the CTs. Hostage Rescue is actually the original Counter-Strike game mode, but its popularity was quickly eclipsed when Bomb Defusal was introduced. Still, it’s good to see this legacy CS2 game mode stand the test of time.

Competitive (Hostage Rescue)

Competitive (Hostage Rescue) works the exact same as the Bomb Defusal variant. Queue whatever map you’d like, and earn a rank on that map specifically. This is the closest you’ll find to a hardcore competitive experience in the Hostage Rescue game mode in CS2.

Casual (Hostage Rescue)

Casual (Hostage Rescue) is chaotic, like its Bomb Defusal equivalent. Same rules apply – more players, fewer rounds, more mess.

All Unranked CS2 Game Modes

Not all CS2 game modes are uber competitive. Some unranked CS2 game modes allow players to jump in and hone their skills without worrying about what other players think. These are all perfect for new CS2 players, and arguably, should be what anyone jumping in for the first time tries first.

Deathmatch

The Deathmatch game mode in CS2 is exactly what you’d expect. Kill as many enemies as possible in 10 minutes. Most points at the end, wins. You get instant respawns in CS2 Deathmatch servers, so it’s a good way to warm up your aim before hopping into more competitive CS2 game modes. If you’re a Counter-Strike newbie, then Deathmatch is the best way to get used to the game’s gun mechanics quickly.

Arms Race

In Arms Race, your weapons are chosen for you. Every time you get two kills with a weapon, you progress to the next rank, fighting your way through 16 waves of guns until you finally need to get a kill with the golden knife. This one offers more arcade-style fun, with unique maps made just for the Arms Race CS2 game mode.

Practice

You can go into the Practice CS2 game mode and do pretty much whatever you want. Play against bots, practice your nade lineups, learn the map layouts in general – it’s the perfect blank slate to learn. It’s not technically an extensive game mode in CS2, but it’s an important addition nonetheless.

Forgotten CS:GO Game Modes

When Valve made the switch from CS:GO to CS2, some game modes didn’t make the cut. Despite community outcry, Valve has shown no indication of bringing these game modes to CS2, although it could still happen in the future.

Danger Zone

Danger Zone was Valve’s attempt to capitalize on the Battle Royale craze circa-2018 in Counter-Strike. It supported up to 18 players, but failed to properly establish itself in the Battle Royale genre. If it were to return as a CS2 game mode, Danger Zone might struggle to find popularity at this point, which is why Valve isn’t dedicating the necessary resources to bring it back.

Demolition

Demolition was a fascinating hybrid between Bomb Defusal and Arms Race. Normal Bomb Defusal rules applied, but you couldn’t buy weapons. Instead, you earned upgrades by getting kills in each round. It didn’t really work, so I don’t expect this one to join the ranks of the CS2 game modes in the future.

Flying Scoutsman

Scouts only. Gravity is reduced. Accuracy penalties mid-air are gone. Flying Scoutsman was all about goofy fun, and while it was technically a Bomb Defusal mode, no one really bothered with that. They were far too preoccupied flying in the air and killing their opponents to care. Given the low effort required to port this, don’t be too surprised to see Flying Scoutsman come back as a CS2 game mode in the future.

Retakes

Ts and CTs spawn in with a bomb already planted on one site. Weapons are random, so you’ve got to deal with the hand you’re dealt. Ts must defend the bomb site until it explodes, while CTs must find a way in and defuse. Rounds are rapid, allowing players to learn how to defend and retake bomb sites extremely quickly. As a learning tool, Retakes was unmatched, and I’ll be shocked if this doesn’t return as a CS2 game mode at some point. If all else fails, you can play Retakes on CS2 community servers regardless.