CS2 Team Roles, Positions and Strategies

Counter-Strike 2 is more than just a popular shooter that millions worldwide enjoy. The game has grown in popularity and fan base for years. And the big update that upgraded CS:GO to CS2 attracted the attention of millions of players. Many forget that CS2 is a complex and strategic game where players play different roles that contribute to the success of the team, not a solo game for personal pleasure.

In this article, we will discuss one of the most important topics for CS2 players, which is CS2 roles in a team. We will cover what each role entails, what CS2 positions they occupy, and how they affect the game strategy. It will help you assemble your team and achieve success in CS2. Who knows, maybe you will be the next champion!

What are Different Roles in CS:GO & How They Affect the game Strategy

From the very beginning of its existence, Counter-Strike has always been played with teams of 5 players on each side. Even in the early days of professional gaming, each player had a different role in CS. After all, if everyone did whatever they pleased, playing with such a lineup of players would be almost impossible. We’re sure you’ve experienced situations like that.

Therefore, properly allocating player actions in the game is one of the most important aspects. Now, let’s move on to the main topic: what roles exist, and what are they needed for? In CS2, there are different roles that players can take up. Typically, there are five main roles: entry fragger, support, in-game leader, lurker, and AWPer.

They greatly assist in gathering information, getting kills, planting or defusing the bomb, and more. The roles are flexible, and players frequently switch between them depending on their situations.

Let’s look closely at CS2 roles in a team.

Types of Primary Roles

In Counter-Strike 2, five primary roles fulfill different yet crucial missions in the game. Let’s start with the entry fragger. Usually, the player goes first, gathers information, and, if possible, eliminates opponents.

Next is the lurker, whose role is associated with stealth. Their main objective is to surprise the enemy by strategically taking unexpected and unnoticed positions. The third role is called support. Typically, this player carries more grenades and provides backup for the team, offering cover from behind.

Then, we have the AWPer. As the name suggests, this player specializes in using the AWP sniper rifle in the game. Lastly, the most crucial role is the IGL (In-Game Leader). This player participates actively, monitors the map’s situation, and provides strategic guidance and instructions to the team.

Let’s discuss CS2 roles in a team in more detail, starting with the entry fragger.

Entry Fragger

As mentioned, an entry fragger is a player who leads the way in planting the bomb or entering areas where opponents may be waiting. To be successful in this player role in CS2, a player needs good map knowledge and awareness of potential enemy positions. One of the most important factors for an entry fragger is their quick reaction time and accurate aim.

The entry fragger’s main task is to make the first kill for the team to make it easier for teammates to play or to gather all the necessary information about the opponents’ positions. Thanks to these actions, the entry fragger paves the way for their team to plant the bomb. And then, when the team has taken the bombsite, the entry fragger must protect their support who is planting the bomb.

Players must understand the importance of their role for the team and realize that they will often be targeted and killed. If that happens, it is essential to communicate the opponents’ positions to teammates. Providing accurate information is one of the primary responsibilities of an entry fragger.

To get a better understanding of what needs to be done, we recommend paying attention to players like Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen, Håvard “rain” Nygaard, and René “TeSeS” Madsen.

Let’s move on to the next role.

Support

The support player is the entry fragger’s trusted ally, ensuring their comfort and success. Support players have two main ways to relieve pressure on entry fraggers.

First, they use utility to disrupt the defense. By deploying smoke grenades, which help break through the enemy’s defense and flashbangs, they can disorient the remaining opponents on the site, potentially giving the entry fragger an easy kill.

Additionally, incendiary grenades can flush enemies out of precarious positions that would otherwise endanger the entry fragger. Due to their utility-focused role, support players often sacrifice firepower to acquire more utility with limited resources.

Hence, evaluating the impact of a support player goes beyond examining their kill-death difference, as their most significant contributions can occur with a single well-placed flashbang.

While a support player’s rifle skills are slightly less crucial than entry fraggers, it doesn’t mean they can overlook their aim. The second way support players help their team is by refragging – eliminating the opponent who eliminates the entry fragger – and effectively defending the planted bomb.

To excel as a support player, prioritize mastering various lineup strategies on all maps while honing your rifle skills.

Support players are an essential part of any CS2 team. They provide their teammates with utility, information, and cover. If you want to learn more about the support role, we recommend watching Ilya “Perfecto” Zalutskiy and Timofey “interz” Yakushin. These two players are among the best support players in the world, and they can teach you a lot about how to play the role effectively.

In-Game Leader (IGL)

One of the most important CS2 roles in a team is the IGL. This strategic player makes critical decisions between rounds and even during them. The IGL determines whether to save money or force a buy, prioritize utility or firepower, and devise the team’s overall strategy.

This role is closely intertwined with the others, and it’s worth noting that successful entry fraggers can also take on the IGL role. Often, the IGL takes on a supportive role to gain a broader battlefield perspective.

As an IGL, it is essential to stay calm and focused. When faced with seemingly impenetrable defenses, the IGL must identify weaknesses in the enemy’s setup. Once these vulnerabilities are identified, the IGL calls for strategies to exploit them. To become a highly skilled IGL, it is essential to carefully monitor several elements. First, tracking the enemy teams and your economy is crucial for making appropriate buy decisions.

Second, it is essential to identify patterns in the enemy’s playstyle. Do they favor aggressive pushes in certain positions? In such cases, you can fall back, wait for the push, and strike after securing a kill. Conversely, if they adopt a passive approach with an AWP in a particular position, instructing a teammate to use a smoke grenade or flashbang can neutralize that angle when executing a push.

Finally, an IGL must make split-second decisions based on the continuous influx of information received during a round. A single kill can necessitate an entire call adjustment, whether by the enemy or your team. Staying calm and making accurate decisions in these adrenaline-fueled moments is crucial.

Some of the best IGLs in CS2 are Denis “electronic” Sharipov, Finn “karrigan” Andersen, and Lukas “gla1ve” Rossander. Each of these players has been playing the game for many years and has a vast amount of experience that allows them to correctly assess the situation in almost every moment of the game.

Lurk

Lurker is another very interesting and incredibly important role for team building in CS2. It is a player who is, 90% of the time, separated from the team, bypassing the battlefield and entering the enemy’s back unexpectedly. Here are two methods that good lurkers use.

First, when your team is attacking one point, the lurker tries to bypass the map and get behind the enemies to deal a surprise blow from behind. It will allow you to surround the enemy and put them at a disadvantage.

Second, the lurker is not only a player who kills from behind but also a second hope for the team, as this player collects information from another part of the map and can provide information about the rotation of the enemy team on time. In some cases, timely information helps to change the attack point, which allows to win rounds.

The success of a lurker relies on game sense and anticipating enemy movements based on available information. Operating alone, they cannot trade kills with teammates, making vulnerability a concern. Consequently, a poor lurker can be easily neutralized without impact. Astute timing, swift reactions, and knowing when to push or remain concealed are crucial. Seasoned players excel in this role, as effective execution often determines victory on the map.

Justin “jks” Savage, Robin “ropz” Kool, and Sergey “Ax1Le” Rykhtorov are three players who show really good gameplay in the role of a lurker.

AWPer

Last but not least, we have the AWP role. This role is often a source of contention within team compositions, especially when playing with random teammates. The AWP player has the potential to make a significant impact and secure round victories single-handedly.

Typically, the primary objective of an AWP is to maintain control over long-range angles and eliminate enemies before they can reach or commit to a site. Additionally, the AWP can be preferable for low-health players, as its time-to-kill is significantly faster than rifles. However, it’s important to note that the AWP’s drawback lies in its firing rate, allowing only one bullet per second.

It’s also important to remember that you can’t buy an AWP in every round. Typically, players who play the AWP role will not buy grenades or kits in the first few rounds to save money for the AWP in the future.

It is an important consideration, as the economy is crucial for this role. Additionally, if you do not have a good start, it may be better to force two eco rounds to have a full buy in the third and a better chance of winning.

Some of the best AWPers in the world include Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev, Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut, and Casper “cadiaN” Møller. It’s a good idea to watch their games and analyze their play. By paying attention to their positioning, decision-making, and reactions to in-game changes, you can learn how to become a better AWPer yourself.

Secondary Roles

CS2 players must be flexible and adaptable to switch roles based on specific rounds. For example, many teams have secondary AWPers skilled in using the AWP effectively when needed. A double AWP setup may be employed on certain maps and when the team’s economy allows it.

The in-game leader often takes on additional responsibilities and continues to strategize while fulfilling their other duties. The remaining players, who are not designated AWPers, are generally called “riflers” as they primarily use rifles instead of AWPs.

In times of need, most players can fill the support role since knowing how to use utility properly and when to use it is crucial for every CS2 player.

Therefore, choosing to be a lurker or AWPer does not mean you cannot do other things. Everything depends on the specific situation. Therefore, develop yourself and your skills in any role. It will help you to be flexible and win most games.

Common Strategies Used in CS2

You must develop a game plan once you have created a team and assigned roles. In CS2, teams use a variety of strategies to gain an advantage in matches. The default strategy, commonly used, involves spreading across the map to control key areas and gather intelligence on enemy movements. This strategy prioritizes adaptability and flexibility to counter the opponent’s tactics effectively.

Alternatively, teams may use an aggressive strategy to forcefully push toward the enemy’s positions to secure critical positions quickly. While this strategy carries inherent risks, a well-executed aggressive strategy can catch the enemy off guard and lead to a quick victory. Such tactics are particularly effective in maps with narrow chokepoints that make it easier to overwhelm the opposition.

On the other hand, a passive strategy involves adopting a defensive playstyle and patiently waiting for the enemy team to make mistakes or reveal their positions. This approach can be advantageous when at a disadvantage or lacking resources. However, it also risks allowing the enemy team to gain momentum and take control of the game.

The utility-based strategy is an advanced team play approach that uses grenades such as flashbangs, smoke grenades, and Molotovs to control the map and limit the enemy’s movements. This strategy requires strong coordination, communication, and a thorough understanding of the map and the enemy’s positions.

In addition to the strategies mentioned above, teams can use a variety of other tactics to gain an advantage in CS2 matches. For example, the feint method involves deceiving the enemy by initially adopting one approach and quickly switching to another at the last moment.

Factors Affecting Team Strategies in CS2

Team composition and player roles play a crucial role in CS2. Each player assumes a specific role, such as entry fragger, sniper, or support, and it is important to have a diverse mix of players with varying skills. An entry fragger swiftly takes control, a sniper eliminates enemies from a distance, a support player provides cover, and a lurker surprises the enemy team.

Effective strategies are vital in CS2 as teams need to capitalize on their strengths and exploit weaknesses. Strategies encompass default, aggressive, passive, and utility-based approaches. Communication is of utmost importance for coordinating movements, sharing enemy positions, and planning coordinated attacks.

The choice of maps influences strategies in CS2. Aggression thrives in chokepoints, while open areas are conducive to passive or utility-based tactics. The ability to adapt to opponents’ actions is crucial. Flexibility, communication, teamwork, and a willingness to explore new approaches are vital factors.

CS2 strategies are dynamic, evolving with new tactics and trends. Staying up-to-date and embracing experimentation is necessary to outshine opponents.

How to make better decisions?

To improve your decision-making in CS2, you must do more than just play. You need to analyze the situation you’re in. For new players, this cannot be easy. One tip that experienced players give is to take a moment to ask yourself what your options are and which one is the most likely to lead to victory.

It may take 10-15 seconds at first, but as you encounter similar situations, you’ll start to know what to do without thinking. With each game and each day, you’ll gain more and more experience, which is the key to success.

We also recommend watching streams of professional players or YouTube videos where they explain their actions step-by-step. Next, we recommend watching 2-3 games where you think you played well.

Analyze the situation and think about what you could have done differently in each situation. It will give you experience and, most importantly, learn from your mistakes.

Conclusion 

Building a successful team in CS2 requires many factors, but the most important is teamwork. Teamwork allows you to overcome challenges and obstacles you could not overcome alone.

Professional teams don’t give up after a single loss. They continue to play together and learn to communicate effectively. We wish you the best of luck in finding a great team in CS2 with whom you can enjoy both victories and mutual support and respect.

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