Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) has something for everyone, whether you're a casual player or a seasoned pro. But with each game mode having its own rules, it can be a bit tricky to figure them out at first. That’s where this guide comes in. We’ll walk you through all the game modes in CS2, breaking down their objectives and strategies to help you dive right in.

The most popular game modes include Competitive, Casual, Deathmatch, Wingman and Arms Race. Whilst modes like Arms Race offer players a more fast paced mode of play, Competitive mode focuses on strategy team-based games. 

Competitive Play 

This game mode is the core of CS2, mainly focusing on team gameplay in a 5v5 Bomb Defusal format. In this mode, player teams take turns as Terrorists (Ts) aiming to plant a bomb and Counter-Terrorists (CTs) who attempt to defuse it. This mode is, and always will be, the bread and butter of the Counter Strike game series since its release.

The strategy in this mode is to perform fast, provide close communication with your team and an eagle eye on enemy movement. The moment the Ts plant a bomb, the CTs have 40 seconds to defuse it, and suddenly, it becomes a game of cat & mouse. Not only do CTs have a time limit, but they also have to keep an eye out for the other team, as they'll stand close by to the bomb to defend it. Smoke grenades and flashbangs are your best friend - good luck!

Casual 

In Casual mode, teams are much larger with shorter rounds, making it ideal for newer players who want a Counter Strike experience with more laidback gameplay. Most Casual mode gameplay is performed on the same maps as Competitive mode, so it lets new players familiarize themselves with the layouts and start to develop some rudimentary CS2 strategies.

Deathmatch 

The Deathmatch instant respawn mode is super hectic and very, very fun! Players earn points by eliminating as many opponents as quickly as possible. No objectives, just a pure shoot them-all-mode, which is perfect for practicing your aim, reaction times, and getting used to various weapons. 

Wingman 

Considered the mini competitive mode, in Wingman you have 2v2 player games in much smaller, close-quarter maps. You need to pair yourself with someone you have great communication with to perform well.

Arms Race 

Arms Race is an exciting and super fast-paced game mode where players have to advance through a series of weapons by earning continuous kills. Players start with the most basic of firearms and then work towards the last, being the knife. It’s an excellent mode for players to get accustomed to the variety of gun types and the different loadouts you might need to learn on the fly. 

Demolition 

Demolition is a somewhat combined version of both the Bomb Defusing and Arms Race weapon progression, where each player’s kill upgrades their weapon. This mode brings bomb-planting objectives with the ability to weapon upgrade, making each round challenging with the increase of better loadouts. It's not the most popular of game modes, but it's a great option for a bit of diversity from the more common gameplay modes.

We're hoping Valve add more game modes in the future, but if you are looking for something different, we recommend trying out the Workshop mode, where you can subscribe to community-made maps and play your own custom games. Have fun!