A Beginner’s Guide To The CS:GO Economy

Players earn money in various ways during a match.

Round Win: The most significant cash injection comes from winning rounds. The exact amount varies depending on your win streak, but it generally increases the more rounds you win consecutively.

Round Loss: Even defeat grants a “loss bonus,” which grows as you lose more rounds in a row. This encourages a comeback and prevents snowballing economies.

Kills: Players earn money for killing opponents, with the amount varying by weapon. For example, a kill with a rifle like the AK-47 or M4A4 grants $300, while a kill with a knife rewards $1,500.

Bomb Plant/Defuse: Planting the bomb provides $800 to the entire Terrorist team, regardless of the round’s outcome. Successfully defusing the bomb also grants a reward for the Counter-Terrorist side.

Objectives: Winning by eliminating the opposing team or through objective completion (e.g., bomb detonation) also affects the economy.

Managing your team’s economy is about making strategic decisions on when to buy weapons and equipment, and when to save money (known as “eco” or “save” rounds). Key purchases include the following:

Rifles: AK-47 (Terrorists) and M4A4/M4A1-S (Counter-Terrorists) are standard rifles, costing $2,700 and $3,000/$2,900 respectively.

Sniper Rifles: The AWP is a powerful sniper rifle costing $4,750. The SSG 08 or “Scout” is a cheaper and slightly less powerful option, but extremely deadly in the right hands.

Utility: Grenades (flashbangs, smoke grenades, molotovs/incendiary grenades, HE grenades) and defuse kits (Counter-Terrorists) are essential for strategic play.

Armor: Kevlar and helmets are crucial to surviving gunfights. It makes a world of difference in surviving.

A buy round occurs when a team has enough money to purchase rifles, armor, and utility. Coordinating with teammates is essential to ensure everyone has adequate equipment. A typical buy round might include:

Rifles or SMGs: Depending on the available funds and needs of the round.

Armor: Full armor (Kevlar and helmet) is preferred. Should always be the priority purchase in a round before the weapons themselves.

Utility: At least a few grenades per player for tactical advantages. Knowing smoke lineups are crucial to maximizing the utility of a smoke grenade.

When a team has insufficient funds, they might choose to save money by only buying minimal equipment or no equipment at all. This is known as an eco round. The goal is to accumulate enough money for a full buy in a subsequent round. Sometimes teams opt for a “half-buy” or “force-buy,” where they spend some money on cheaper weapons (like pistols or SMGs) and armor, hoping to catch the enemy off-guard and win the round despite the disadvantage.

The Eco Round also serves a few different purposes:

Breaking the Enemy’s Economy: Imagine facing a team with powerful rifles every round. An eco round throws a wrench in their plans. You force them to use their expensive weapons, potentially forcing them to save in the following round.

Planning for the Future: By saving, you build a bigger bankroll for the next round, allowing you and your teammates to purchase rifles or full gear. This can turn the tide in your favor.

A force buy is a risky strategy where a team spends all its money despite not having enough for a full buy. This can happen after losing a pistol round or to prevent the enemy from gaining too much economic momentum. Force buys often involve cheaper weapons like SMGs or pistols and even rifles with no armor and minimal utility. The goal is to disrupt the opponent’s economy and possibly win the round against the odds.

Round Management

Pistol Round Strategy: Winning the pistol round is critical. Consider investing in armor or utility depending on your team’s strategy. A common tactic for Terrorists is to buy a P250 pistol for its higher damage, while Counter-Terrorists might invest in defuse kits.

Anti-Eco Rounds: After winning the pistol round, teams often buy SMGs or cheaper rifles to farm money while facing opponents likely on an eco round.

Saving Guns: If a round is unwinnable, it’s often better to save your weapons and armor for the next round rather than risking everything. This helps maintain some level of firepower and utility for the team.

Team Coordination

Communication: Always communicate your buy intentions with your team. Deciding on a full buy, half-buy, or eco round together ensures everyone is on the same page.

Drops: Players with more money can drop weapons for teammates with less, ensuring everyone has adequate equipment. This is particularly useful in maintaining a strong buy even when not all players can afford it individually.

Balancing Economy: Keep track of your team’s economy and plan buys accordingly. Avoid situations where some players have full buys while others are left with minimal equipment.

Advanced Economic Tactics

Baiting Economy: Sometimes, teams fake an eco round by buying a few pistols and armor, only to catch the enemy off-guard. This tactic can result in surprising wins and disrupt the opponent’s economy.

Economic Mind Games: Deliberately losing a round to reset the enemy’s loss bonus can be a viable strategy. This requires precise calculation and timing to pull off effectively.

Utility Management: Proper use of grenades can turn the tide of a round. Learning key smoke, flash, and molotov throws can provide significant tactical advantages, often compensating for inferior weaponry.