A new mode makes its debut in Counter Strike 2, for those who really mean business. Here’s what to expect
Clearly, Counter Strike is one of the most popular and best shooters of all time. But for some out there, the game is much more. They play CS on a professional level. In order for Counter-Strike 2 to further promote this level, a new game mode has been introduced.
Here’s everything you need to know about Premiere Mode and how it will help further the competitive scene of Counter-Strike.
Table of Contents
What is Premiere Mode?
Premiere Mode is in a similar vein as Competitive Mode and is the first place to go for all people who play Counter-Strike for more than just good fun. This is where you’ll have to come to put your talent to the test, climb up meaningful leaderboards, and possibly even end up on a pro team at some point. The following changes distinguish the mode:
- Premiere features its own ranking system based on numbers rather than ranks.
- Premiere uses a pick-&-ban system to determine the map played.
- Premiere changes from MR15 to MR12, so there will be fewer rounds played per half.
How does the ranking system work?
Unlike before, Counter-Strike 2’s ranking system relies on a number score rather than ranks, which still exist elsewhere, though. The number system is intended to make the rating of a player more transparent and to show more meaningfully how good the person behind the account really is.
To get into one of the rankings, you must first win ten placement matches. Depending on your performance, you will then receive a rating. Currently, the CS rating ranges from 0 to over 40,000. Depending on the number range, you will also be assigned a color:
- 0 to 4.999: Gray
- 5.000 to 9.999: 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 or more: Gold
Points are only awarded when you win a game. It is not possible to move up in rating by specific game actions or by game time. You must win, losing will result in a downgrade. Depending on how you win and how you lose, you can get different amounts of points. The key to this is secret, but it probably matters how big the ratings difference is between you and your opponents.
What is meant by Pick & Ban
In Premiere, you can no longer advance in rank by permanently playing the same map. In Competitive you can still do that, but you will only be able to rank up on that map and not on all of them. In Premier you have to master more than one map in any case.
Here the two teams take turns banning maps until only one is left. There are a total of seven maps to choose from. So you have no guarantee of playing with your team on the map you want. The process is as follows:
- Team 1 bans two maps
- Team 2 bans three maps
- Team 1 selects one card from the last two
- Team 2 chooses which side they want to start on.
How does a match work?
Basically, the games run exactly as you are used to from other CS modes. However, Valve now uses MR12 instead of MR15. This simply means that a half time only consists of a maximum of 12 rounds instead of 15. Whoever takes 13 victories after the change of sides wins the game.
In total, a game will last a maximum of 24 rounds, except in the case of a draw. Then up to 6 more rounds are played in overtime.
How do you like the new game mode in Counter-Strike 2? Do you think the changes make sense or are there details that you don’t like as much? Do you play Counter-Strike at all with the ambition to show up in a leaderboard or do you mainly just have some fun? Post it in the comments!
