CS:GO Danger Zone Ranks Explained

Released on December 6, 2018, Danger Zone introduced the battle royale game mode to CSGO for the very first time. Borrowing the concept from games that were built all around this mode, Danger Zone merged it with the tactical gameplay and mechanics of CSGO – and added a few unique elements which gave it a whole, brand new feel.

Some of the main qualities of Danger Zone are that matchmaking is pretty quick – and matches are a lot faster paced than those in similar games – usually only taking around 15 minutes. The game mode brought with it completely new maps – which are a lot bigger and more open-ended than the regular maps in the competitive match pool. These maps are divided into hexagonal zones, which also act as drop locations when the match begins.

You can decide whether you want to go solo or be part of a two-man (or woman) team. You will start out with a tablet, which you can use to view the map and buy items with any money you have collected or earned during a match. Up to 18 players will start out in a match, and the basic objective is the same as any battle royale game – where you need to scavenge for weapons and items in the early stages.

As the match goes on, the playable area will start shrinking, forcing players towards safer zones until there’s only a very small play area left – and you need to be the last player (or part of the last team) standing. If you start to place in the top 3 consistently, your ranking will start to improve – and later on we’ll look at all the different ranks – and how you can start ranking.

Weapons & Equipment in Danger Zone

The Danger Zone introduced a variety of new weapons, equipment, and items to add more excitement to the gameplay – including:

• Hammer
• Spanner
• Axe
• Diversion Device (an alternative version of the Decoy Grenade)
• Frag Grenade (an alternative version of the HE Grenade)
• FireBomb (an alternative version of the Molotov)
• Breach Charge
• Tablet
• Parachute
• Fists
• ExoJump Boots
• Bump Mine
• Ballistic Shield
• Radar Jammer
• Alternative C4 with a Compass
• Alternative Armor that can be picked up

These items are designed to give you even more tactical options and can be strategically used to gain an advantage in the game.

To help players gauge their skills and their progress, Valve introduced a dedicated ranking system for Danger Zone based on skill level. Here, we’ll take a look at all the ranks in the Danger Zone and give you a few tips on how to move to the next level.

All the Danger Zone Ranks

1. Lab Rat I
2. Lab Rat II
3. Sprinting Hare I
4. Sprinting Hare II
5. Wild Scout I
6. Wild Scout II
7. Wild Scout Elite
8. Hunter Fox I
9. Hunter Fox II
10. Hunter Fox III
11. Hunter Fox Elite
12. Timber Wolf
13. Ember Wolf
14. Wildfire Wolf
15. The Howling Alpha

Rank Explanations

1. Lab Rat I & II
   • Description: These are basically the starting ranks for new players in Danger Zone. Players here are generally just getting a feel for the game mechanics and learning the basics of survival and combat.
   • Tips to Move Up: Focus on learning the various map layouts, loot locations, and how you can best use your tablet for navigation and tracking your opponents.
2. Sprinting Hare I & II
   • Description: Players at this level will have a basic understanding of the game and can handle initial encounters with a bit more confidence.
   • Tips to Move Up: Work on your movement and positioning. Learn to avoid open areas and use cover effectively. Start experimenting with different weapons to find your preferred loadout.
3. Wild Scout I, II & Elite
   • Description: These ranks are for players who are more comfortable with the game. They know how to loot efficiently and engage in combat more effectively.
   • Tips to Move Up: Now, you need to start improving your aiming and shooting accuracy. Practice headshots and quick engagements – and start paying attention to the economy and making solid, strategic purchases.
4. Hunter Fox I, II, III & Elite
   • Description: Players in these ranks are skilled and understand some of the more advanced game mechanics. They can outmaneuver the less experienced players and generally have good map awareness.
   • Tips to Move Up: It’s now time to focus on strategic play. Use the environment to your advantage, set traps, and ambush opponents. Communication and teamwork are super important if you are playing in a team.
5. Timber Wolf
   • Description: This rank is for players with a high level of skill and lots of experience. Players in this ranking are adept at all aspects of the game – from looting and combat to strategy and positioning.
   • Tips to Move Up: Now, you need to start refining your play style. Analyze your games to identify mistakes and learn from them. Work on predicting enemy movements and mastering the use of the various gadgets.
6. Ember Wolf
   • Description: These players are some of the best in the game. They have superb mechanical skills and a deeper understanding of the game’s strategies and nuances.
   • Tips to Move Up: Focus on consistency now. Make sure that your performance is consistently high across different matches. You need to continue to refine your strategies and adapt to different opponents.
7. Wildfire Wolf
   • Description: This rank is for elite players who not only win but dominate the game with their superior skills and tactics. They are usually the last survivors and will normally win their matches.
   • Tips to Move Up: This is where you need to perfect your game. Every decision you make should be calculated – and every move you make should have a purpose. Stay in peak physical and mental condition, and make sure you always stay sharp during games.
8. The Howling Alpha
   • Description: The pinnacle of Danger Zone ranks – the equivalent of Global Elite. The Howling Alpha is only for the very best players who have mastered every aspect of the game. These players are the true champions of Danger Zone.

Tips to Improve: There’s no moving up now. At this level, there are only a few minor improvements to be made – you just need to make sure you maintain the highest level of play. Make sure you stay updated with any game changes or meta shifts, and just keep practising.

For much of CS’s existence, Valve has been pretty secretive about its matchmaking and ranking system algorithms – and this hasn’t really changed. There have been no official statements regarding the various factors that influence player rankings in Danger Zone. However, there’s some evidence that suggests these are some of the factors that might affect ranking up:

Quality of the Competition

Matchmaking in Danger Zone seems to be a lot more randomized than Competitive Matchmaking. You can find yourselves in the same match as opponents ranging from the lowest to the highest ranks. Ranking up quickly usually involves outperforming teams at or above your skill level. Conversely, placing lower against less skilled players can lead to a derank. This implies that the quality of competition you face and your performance relative to them significantly impact your ranking trajectory.

Consistently Placing High

Consistently ending up in the top three can give a big boost to your chances of ranking up… especially up to the Hunter Fox Elite rank. At higher ranks, however, even finishing second or third against lower-ranked opponents could end up seeing you drop ranks. This suggests that making sure you always get a top-three position is essential for ranking up – but the rank of your opponents also plays a role. Winning against higher-ranked players is a lot more beneficial – but losing or placing lower against lower-ranked players can have a pretty adverse effect on your rank.

Other Factors to Consider

While Valve hasn’t necessarily confirmed these factors, player experiences suggest that these could also potentially influence your Danger Zone rankings:

1. Kill Count and Damage: Getting a high number of kills and dealing a significant amount of damage can positively impact your ranking as it indicates combat proficiency and survival skills.
2. Survival Time: Longer survival times could also contribute to rank progression, as this reflects your ability to navigate and get through the various challenges of the match.

Team Play: If you’re playing in a squad, effective communication and teamwork can improve your overall performance, which could lead to better rankings.

The open-ended design of Danger Zone maps means that you can adopt various playstyles and switch strategies mid-game. Adapting to different situations is absolutely essential for success. Here are some of our top tips to help you survive longer… and hopefully consistently finish in the top three:

1. Find a Good Teammate

Having a good and reliable teammate that you can communicate with effectively is hugely important. Good coordination will lead to better strategy development and teamwork – and increase your chances of survival and success.

1. Deploy Next to Your Teammate

When you are with a regular teammate, make sure you coordinate your deployment areas for each map. Starting together in a strategic position will give you an early advantage, which is important for the match.

1. Choose an Effective Deployment Perk

Picking the right deployment perk at the start of the match is essential – and should be based on your strategy. For example:

• Long Game Strategy: Choose a perk like exploration or wave survival for better cash accumulation.
• Immediate Combat: Select a taser if you’re deploying near hostiles. It can be good as a self-defence weapon and help you open weapon crates for an early upper hand.

1. Use the Tablet Effectively

Mastering your tablet is vital in the Danger Zone. It offers various buy menu options – such as medishots and ammo for playing aggressively. For late-game strategies, you will want to use options to track zone movements and precise player locations. The tablet can also track player movements on the map and can act as a decoy. Knowing how, when, and what to use the tablet for can have a major impact on your gameplay.

1. Complement Your Teammate’s Playstyle

Complement – not compliment – the player you are teamed up with (although I’m sure a compliment will always go down well!) If you play regularly with a teammate, your playing styles should start to complement each other. For example, if one of you is aggressive, the other one can take on a more supportive role. This synergy should make you a more effective team.

1. Become Familiar With the Map

Understanding the map is essential. This knowledge will help you to predict where the final zone might be, find the best routes to avoid your enemies, get the best camping spots, and choose the most optimal deployment areas. Map familiarity will give you a great tactical advantage.

1. Pick Your Fights Carefully

Not every encounter is worth the risk. For example:

• If you’re low on ammo, don’t use it all up – and save money to buy more later.
• Avoid long-distance fights if you have close-range weapons like an SMG or shotgun.
• If you’re outnumbered, it’s better to retreat and hide rather than take them all on.

1. Use Cover When Moving

When working your way across the map, always move from cover to cover so that you don’t become an easy target. Hug walls and use obstacles to your advantage – and minimize your exposure to enemy fire.

1. Master the Mobility Package

The very best players in the Danger Zone can move around effectively. The mobility package allows you to:

• Get around large areas quickly
• Jump higher and faster
• Negate fall damage
• Access normally unreachable places
• Flank opponents
• Perform insta-kills by landing on enemies

1. Adapt to Different Situations

There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy for winning in Danger Zone. The ever-changing nature of the game will mean you’ll have to continually adapt to changing situations and make decisions accordingly. Stay flexible and adjust your tactics based on the various circumstances of the match.

Hopefully, if you follow these top tips, you’ll consistently make those top 3 positions.

The quick matchmaking system and short match times can make Danger Zone pretty addictive – and you’ll have finished your sixth match before you even realize it! Since the introduction of the ranking system, the game mode has gotten even more competitive, making it so much more than just a bit of fun. Today, just as a CS player keeps working towards the coveted Global Elite Rank in competitive matchmaking, they’ll also try to become a formidable Howling Alpha in the Danger Zone.

What is Danger Zone in CS

Danger Zone is a Battle Royale mode in Counter-Strike where you need to compete to be the last one standing on an ever-shrinking map. It incorporates all the traditional CS mechanics with various survival elements – so you’ll need to find weapons and resources and take out your opponents.

How do I play Danger Zone?

To play Danger Zone, simply pick the mode from the main menu. You can then either choose to play solo or with a team of up to three players. Once in, you’ll be dropped into a map, and you’ll need to search for equipment and resources – all while staying within the ever-shrinking safe zone.

What are the ranks in Danger Zone?

Danger Zone has its own unique rating system with 15 ranks – ranging from Lab Rat I to The Howling Alpha. You can work your way through these ranks based on how you perform in matches – with factors such as placement, kills, damage dealt, and survival time influencing how you progress up the ranks.