Big changes have come to CS2. The game has been given a fresh coat of paint, bringing it up to modern standards. So how have CS2 ranks changed throughout this transition?
We’re taking a look at all of the ranks in CS2, to see how they stack up against the previous system used in CS:GO. All CS2 ranks will be covered, from Premier, to FACEIT, to plain old Competitive. If you’re someone who needs all CS2 ranks explained, we’ve got you covered right here.
Much like CS:GO ranks, ranks in CS2 are a way for the game to match you against other players of your skill level. It’s no fun getting stomped, nor is it really fun destroying players with a fraction of the experience on the server. That’s why it’s important that ranks in CS2 are assigned as close as possible, to ensure the game is as evenly-matched as possible. Outliers happen, where some players underperform, but generally, the balance needs to be right, and it starts with correctly assigning all CS2 ranks.
The new game has seen a few adjustments to CS2 ranks compared to CS:GO, and it’ll take some getting used to. In fact, there’s even one entirely new CS2 ranking system, which works alongside one of the others, but we’ll get to that.
© Tim Kikkert
There’s no shame in being a grey or silver ranked player – everyone has to start somewhere. If you’re this rank, there’s a good chance your aim is bad, you don’t know how to use utility properly, and you don’t necessarily know the best angles on every map.
It’s all good! The important thing is that you want to get better at CS, which can only really be done by playing more of the game. At this rank, there will be players who flame you for your CS2 rank. Ignore the noise, and keep improving.
If you’re really struggling, there are CS aim trainers out there you can use to really hone your skills. Become a crack shot on the server, and you’ll be out of Silver in no time.
At this point, you’ve probably logged some time in CS2. It’s here that you’ll need to be finessing skills other than just your ability to aim accurately in order to make your way through the ranks in CS2. For instance, you’ll need to acquire some game sense and get to grips with the CS2 maps a little better.
Now you’re starting to move up the ranks! Once again, the best thing you can do here is to just play more. Every so often, you’ll come across a smurf who teaches you a lesson or two. Don’t get angry – get better! These games against much better players can be used as a learning opportunity to improve, giving you the best chance of rising through the CS2 ranking system.
Remember, at these CS2 ranks, you’re alongside most of the player base. Make it out of MGE, and congratulations – you’re officially above average.
Credit: Valve
While playing at these CS2 ranks, things start to get sweaty. These are the ranks typically associated with the average competitive player – the gamers who care about their stats and performance and might really flame you if you’re not playing up to standard. If you’re sitting here among all CS2 ranks, you’re not quite a pro yet, but you can definitely hit a lifeshot every once in a while.
If you’re in these ranks, there’s every chance you’ve sunk some serious hours into Counter-Strike 2. Your crosshair placement is good, map knowledge is getting there, and you’ve almost reached the pinnacle of the CS2 ranking system. Now, consistency is probably your biggest issue.
Congratulations, you’re at the top of the CS2 ranks!
There isn’t ton to say about these ranks, as they’re so close in their nature. There are plenty of circumstances where a Supreme Master First Class player will trash a Global Elite player on the server – there’s very little in it. Ranks in CS2 hit a peak, and if you’re Global Elite on a few different maps, it might be time moving over to CS2 Premier ranks, or even FACEIT. You could surely achieve a high CS2 rank in either of these options.
Even from here, it’s important to keep improving. If you want to be a CS2 pro, even reaching Global Elite isn’t going to cut it.
Just as with CS:GO ranks, you’ll need to play at least 10 matches to see you rank. The only difference is you’ll need to make sure you play the matches in premier mode, not Competitive as before. As soon as you load into the game, it’s a simple case of checking your profile. You’ll be able to see your badge and rank there. If you’re wondering about CS2 rank distribution, you can also see where you stand on the premier leaderboards.
Credit: Valve
The CS2 ranking system has seen a complete overhaul for the Premier game mode. While Premier featured in CS:GO, it was mostly an afterthought that many players ignored. Now, it’s seen as the way to play Counter-Strike 2.
Now, CS2 Premier ranks assign you a number between from 1 to upwards of 30,000 and above, known as CS Rating. Only the best CS2 players out there can reach that promised land of 30,000, with only a select few in the entire world achieving it so far. Your CS2 Premier ranks are also assigned by color, so you can tell at a glance who the best players on the server are. These colors are:
| 4,999 and below | Gray |
| 5,000 to 9,000 | Light blue |
| 10,000 to 14,999 | Blue |
| 15,000 to 19,999 | Purple |
| 20,000 to 24,999 | Pink |
| 25,000 to 29,999 | Red |
| 30,000 and above | Gold |
What makes this CS Rating so important is that it ranks you in a global leaderboard, where you can see where you rank among every single CS2 Premier player in the world. Everyone will have different goals of course – not everyone can hit number one in the new CS2 ranking system. However, it’s always good to have a personal goal to strive for.
The new CS2 Premier ranking system. Credit: Daniel Morris
So early into the new game, one of the main issues has been looking at CS2 ranks compared to CS:GO. Players naturally want to know where their skill level sits in the new game, so they can set realistic goals while they get to grips with the CS2 new ranking system. Right now, these are the CS2 Premier ranks and where they’re generally presumed to sit in the hierarchy of CS2 ranks compared to CS:GO.
| 1,000 to 2,800 | Silver I |
| 2,800 to 3,800 | Silver II |
| 3,800 to 4,200 | Silver III |
| 4,200 to 4,700 | Silver IV |
| 4,700 to 4,999 | Silver Elite |
| 4,999 to 5,600 | Silver Elite Master |
| 5,600 to 6,500 | Gold Nova I |
| 6,500 to 7,400 | Gold Nova II |
| 7,400 to 8,400 | Gold Nova III |
| 8,400 to 9,400 | Gold Nova Master |
| 9,400 to 10,000 | Master Guardian I |
| 10,000 to 10,900 | Master Guardian II |
| 10,900 to 12,000 | Master Guardian Elite |
| 12,000 to 13,100 | Distinguished Master Guardian |
| 13,100 to 14,200 | Legendary Eagle |
| 14,200 to 15,500 | Legendary Eagle Master |
| 15,500 to 18,000 | Supreme Master First Class |
| 18,000 to 30,000+ | Global Elite |
Because of the nature of CS2 ranks, this data is subject to change as the game goes on and players get more skilled in general. However, use this guide, and you’ll know the general area of where you sit with your CS2 Premier ranks.
This about covers it for the official CS2 ranks explained, but there’s one more system you can find that might interest you…
With the new game, everyone wants the CS2 ranks explained so they can figure out how to rank up faster. There are a few ways you can do this, and we’re here to help.
The first major step for anyone hard-stuck in the CS2 ranks is to find teammates – ones that you can rely on, of course. If you’re queuing and playing with random teammates, you’ll be at an immediate disadvantage. There will likely be no communication, no real teamwork, and a mixed bag of abilities. It sounds simple, but avoiding solo-queue can probably add a cool 3,000 to your CS Rating in the CS2 Premier ranks.
Next, you want to practice. Practice, practice, practice. There’s nothing worse than losing ELO because you haven’t played in a week, and have to shake off a bit of rust on the server. If you’re always playing, you’re always getting better. Whether you play aim maps or just hop into games, you’ll benefit regardless.
Looking at all CS2 ranks, a final way to improve is to watch demos. If you have a particularly good or bad game, watch back some of your best and worst moments. With the benefit of X-ray turned on for enemies, it’s the best way to see what you’re doing right and wrong throughout games. If you can learn from this, watching demos will arguably see the biggest improvements for your CS2 rank.
One of the biggest innovations with the CS2 ranking system is that ranks in the standard Competitive mode are now assigned per map. Back in CS:GO, you might’ve heard the term Vertiglobals (players only good on Vertigo), and the ranks in CS2 have made it a reality!
For each map, you’ll begin the game without any kind of CS2 rank. You then have to win 10 matches on each, before being assigned your new rank. With 8 maps currently in the game, you have to play a lot before you finally get your CS2 ranks!
The CS2 new ranking system uses the same ranks found back in CS:GO, with 18 to achieve in total, as listed above.
It’s generally agreed that the average CS2 rank distribution in the previous game had most players sit around the Gold Nova ranks. Data for all CS2 ranks is hard to come by, but we don’t expect it to be too different at this stage.
What are you waiting for? Go jump into a map you know you can dominate on, and start that climb to Global Elite!
If Premier isn’t for you, then there’s another CS2 ranking system that might be right up your street. FACEIT is a third-party client that allows you to play with some of the most skilled CS2 players around the world. It features an intrusive anti-cheat, which CS2 Premier doesn’t, meaning you’ll encounter fewer cheaters in your games. On top of this, it’s well-known that the skill ceiling just goes so much higher with FACEIT. In fact, it’s where all the pros play the majority of their matchmaking games.
FACEIT’s CS2 ranks. Credit: Daniel Morris
The CS2 new ranking system via Premier was intended to be a real competitor to FACEIT, but so far, it hasn’t fully panned out, at least at the top level of the game. FACEIT ranks are assigned on a 10-level system, with every player starting at Level 3. You gain ELO for a win, and lose ELO for a loss – it’s as simple as that.
These are the 10 FACEIT CS2 ranks, and the ELO required to reach each:
| 100 to 500 | Level 1 |
| 501 to 750 | Level 2 |
| 751 to 900 | Level 3 |
| 901 to 1,050 | Level 4 |
| 1,051 to 1,200 | Level 5 |
| 1,201 to 1,350 | Level 6 |
| 1,351 to 1,530 | Level 7 |
| 1,531 to 1,750 | Level 8 |
| 1,751 to 2,000 | Level 9 |
| 2,000+ | Level 10 |
Of course, all CS2 news pros sit at Level 10 on FACEIT, with many having ELO way beyond 2,000. This is certainly the option for hardcore players of the game. If you’re brand-new to CS2 and try to jump into FACEIT, it might not go too well. However, if you’re dedicated to learning and rising through the CS2 ranking system, FACEIT might be the way to go.
In order to maintain your rank, you’ll need to keep playing the game. Over time, your rank will gradually decrease if you don’t keep playing competitive and premier modes. This is to ensure the competitive integrity of the game – if you come back after a year without practice and jump into a Global Elite game, you’re going to have a bad time!
CS2 ranks are a way to gauge how well you’ve been performing as a player. It also helps with the game’s matchmaking to ensure players aren’t forced into unfair matchups. Each game played will earn or lose you ELO points that will eventually determine your CS2 ranks.
What are CS2 ranks?
There are a number of ways to improve your rank. When it really comes down to it, the most important thing you’ll need is hours in the game. There’s no real replacement for hours of experience in the game. Finding your specialty is a big feather in your cap too!
How can I improve my CS2 rank?
Most esports have some kind of ranking system. They allow you to gauge where you are in the world of players. In CS2, the very best rank you can achieve is Global Elite. At this point, you should probably consider looking into playing professionally. Who knows, your hard work could pay off!
What is the best CS2 rank?
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