CS:GO & CS2 Ranks

If you want to take your CS2 gaming skills to the next level, then you’ll need to know all about the CS2 rank system. If you want to reach the heights of Master Guardian I, Master Guardian II, Master Guardian Elite – or even Global Elite, you’ll need to know exactly what’s involved in climbing up the competitive ladder.

Here, we’re going to guide you through all the intricacies of the CS Rating system, how it works – and how you can get to the highest levels…

Understanding the CS2 Ranks

If you are a fan of playing competitive mode in CS2, you’ll know that your CS2 rank isn’t just a badge of honor. This is a premier rating system that is used to indicate how well you are performing compared to other CS2 players – and to make sure matchmaking is fair – and you’re not stuck playing against someone a lot better… or a lot worse than you.

There are 18 ranks in the CS2 ranking system, spread over six different levels… all the way from Silver I up to the heady heights of the Global Elite.

Unlike Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, CS2 ranks are based on maps… so you could be a Gold Nova I on Dust II but a Legendary Eagle on Inferno!

This may sound annoying, but it’s a better way to do things – as it means you can train on all the different maps without having to worry that you’ll lose against a player who has a lot more experience on that map.

So, what are these ranks? What do they signify? How can you climb up? Well, the CS rating system ranks players based on skills, to ensure fair matches. They consider factors such as map knowledge, aim, positioning, movement, awareness, placement and more.

So, let’s take a closer look at the ranking system…

The Ranking System

The CS ranking system is based on both a player’s skill level and the win/loss record – and all revolves around the MMR = Matchmaking Rating – which will either increase or decrease depending on whether the player wins or loses.

As such, how you perform in a competitive match will have a direct impact on whether you go up or down the rankings.

Skill Groups and Tiers

In Counter-Strike 2, skill groups and tiers start out at Silver (beginners) and go up to the Global Elite (the very best)…

The Beginner Ranks

Silver I and Silver Elite Master ranks are those that are designed for new CS2 players – and these are the players still trying to master the basics.

The Intermediate Ranks

Then we move to the Master Guardian players – who have a bit more experience and have worked on their skills and abilities. They have spent time honing skills in using utility and putting into place strategic maneuvers for retakes.

To move to these levels from Silver levels, you should spend at least 1 hour per day playing in competitive mode so you can get familiar with the mechanics and maps of the game.

The Advanced Ranks

The Master Guardian Elite to Global Elite ranks are filled with the big guns. They are better at all aspects of the game.

CS2 Rank Distribution

Let’s take a look at the distribution of players in each MMR rank – so you can see where you stand…

MMR Percentage of Players 

0 – 999 0%

1000 – 1999 3.7%

2000 – 2999 2.7%

3000 – 3999 3.9%

4000 – 4999 7.4%

5000 – 5999 7.3%

6000 – 6999 8.2%

7000 – 7999 9.2%

8000 – 8999 9.6%

9000 – 9999 9.5%

10000 – 10999 9%

11000 – 11999 7.8%

12000 – 12999 6.5%

13000 – 13999 5.1%

14000 – 14999 3.7%

15000 – 15999 2.6%

16000 – 16999 1.7%

17000 – 17999 1%

18000 – 18999 0.6%

19000 – 19999 0.3%

20000+ 0.3%

As you can see, there’s a vast distribution – although most are in the intermediate levels – and only 0.3% of the players have gotten over 20000 MMR.

To find your MMR, you’ll need to do the following:

• Unlock CS2 Premier
• Win at least 10 competitive matches.

When you win your 10th match, you’ll be given a rating based on how you performed and what your CS:GO rating was.

The conversion to ranks is as follows:

MMR Color Ranks

0-4999 Grey Silver – Gold Nova

50000-9999 Light Blue Gold Nova – Master Guardian

10000-14999 Blue Master Guardian – Legendary Eagle

15000-19999 Purple Legendary Eagle – Supreme Master First Class

20000-24999 Pink Supreme Master First Class – Global Elite

25000 – 29999 Red Upper Global Elite

30000+ Yellow The highest ranked Global Elites

All the CS2 Map Ranks: Silver up to Global Elite

CS2 comes with 18 ranks – starting out with Silver I for beginners and leading all the way up to the prestigious Global Elite rank, which only the most skilled players achieve. It’s important that you understand these ranks and their requirements so that you can set realistic goals and develop the necessary skills to work your way up.

Silver I

Silver I is the entry point for most beginners in CS2. At this level, you are still learning fundamental game mechanics and strategies. There will certainly be inconsistencies in your aim and limited map knowledge at this level.

Silver II

Silver II players have shown some improvement over Silver I but still struggle with consistency. They have started to grasp basic tactics but may find team coordination and communication challenging.

Silver III

Reaching Silver III means you have better control over game mechanics. Getting to this rank means you have a basic understanding of tactics and map strategies, though you might occasionally make simple mistakes.

Silver IV

Silver IV players will have a more reliable aim and have a solid grasp of the game’s strategies. However, the more advanced mechanics and team tactics may still not be down to pat

Silver Elite

Silver Elite means you’re now working your way out of beginner level. Players at this rank can consistently use tactics, are better with their aim, and have a better understanding of the various maps.

Silver Elite Master

At Silver Elite Master, players in this rank have much-better-improved game mechanics and a strong understanding of most maps. They will show off strategic thinking skills but may need to refine their complex tactics and teamwork.

Gold Nova I

Gold Nova I is considered the average rank in CS2. This is where players will have solid shooting abilities, good map awareness, and a solid grasp of the main team strategies.

Gold Nova II

Gold Nova II players tend to have a much improved aim, better map awareness, and have started to grasp some of the more advanced tactics.

Gold Nova III

Reaching Gold Nova III means that you’ll have mastered the basic mechanics and have started working on more advanced strategies and techniques.

Gold Nova Master

Gold Nova Masters have a decent understanding of the game and its mechanics. They will have a stronger aim, good strategic knowledge, and a fair understanding of most in-game scenarios.

Master Guardian I

Master Guardian I players have a deep understanding of team-based strategy and excellent precision in their aim. They are very effective when it comes to team coordination.

Master Guardian II

Master Guardian II players are some of the most proficient when it comes to most in-game mechanics. Their aim is consistent, and they have excellent map knowledge and can use some of the most advanced tactics effectively.

Master Guardian Elite

Master Guardian Elite players stand out from the rest of their field thanks to their incredible understanding of advanced tactics, impressive precision, and super-quick reaction times.

Distinguished Master Guardian

Distinguished Master Guardian players consistently show off incredible game mechanics, have excellent map knowledge, and have a highly strategic gameplay approach. They are hugely competitive and are superb in team scenarios.

Legendary Eagle

Legendary Eagle players are some of the most elite in CS2. Their aiming skills are exceptional; they have a deep understanding of the game’s maps, and they can use some of the most sophisticated strategies.

Legendary Eagle Master

There are only a very small percentage of CS2 players that reach Legendary Eagle Master. These players are superb when it comes to precision aiming, they have excellent tactical knowledge, and superb teamwork.

Supreme Master First Class

Supreme Master First Class players are right up there with the professionals. They have insane game sense, very precise aim, strategic depth, and excellent teamwork.

Global Elite

Global Elite players have it all. These are exceptional players who are at the top of the tree when it comes to precision; they have serious tactical expertise, advanced strategic implementation, and remarkable teamwork. Only the top players in the world reach the heights of this coveted rank!

Top Tips To Rank Up

To rank up in CS2 it requires serious dedication and strategy. However, if you do have the right approach, then you can steadily start progressing up the ladder – and become a world-class player. Some of the most important tips for climbing the ranks include practising your aim, improving your map knowledge, working on teamwork and communication skills, and studying professional players and games.

Aim Training and Increasing Map Knowledge

Improving your aim and expanding your map knowledge is absolutely essential if you want to climb up those CS2 rankings. Regularly take part in aim training exercises on maps that have been specifically designed for that purpose, and take part in headshot-only or free-for-all matches to help sharpen your accuracy.

Take the time to familiarize yourself with the different maps through tutorials, learning the various map callouts, and some of the most common strategies. By improving – and mastering these skills, you’ll have more confidence when playing against your opponents – and have more chances of winning those competitive matches.

Teamwork and Communication

Great teamwork and communication are essential for being a successful CS2 player. Collaborating well with your teammates, sharing information, and being able to coordinate strategies can massively enhance your chances of winning matches – and thus improving your rank.

Use voice chat to help you convey important details like the positions of your enemy, utility usage, and your various potential strategies. Working on teamwork and communication skills will definitely improve your gameplay and make both you and your team more successful.

Look at How the Professionals Play

Watching professional gamers can give you some great insights on how you can improve your CS2 skills. Watching professional matches, following tutorials, and analyzing strategies that top teams and players use can help you understand the tactics used by those at the top of the game.

Try to emulate the gameplay and implement some of the strategies of successful players when playing your matches. This approach can significantly elevate your abilities and increase your chances of ranking up.

Hopefully, by working on your aim, your map knowledge, teamwork, and communication – and studying how the pros play, you can start working your way up the ranks.

How to Maintain and Protect Your Ranks

Once you have got to a high rank that you’re happy with, you need to stay there. This isn’t as easy as it sounds.

This means that you avoid the rank decay that comes along with prolonged inactivity – and understand the potential penalties and bans that can have a negative effect on your ranking.

Rank Decay

Rank decay in CS2 occurs if you don’t take part in a competitive match within a specific timeframe – and, as the name suggests, it will lead to a reduction in your rank. To prevent rank decay, make sure you play at least one competitive match per month. Making sure you stay actively engaged in the game will help you keep your rank and keep your skills sharp.

Avoid Penalties and Bans

Making sure you understand the penalties and bans that are associated with specific actions in CS2 is important if you don’t want to drop ranks. If you start doing things like quitting matches, kicking teammates, or cheating, then it can lead to temporary or even permanent bans – which can have a negative impact on both your rank and overall gaming experience.

CS2 and CSGO Ranks Summary

Ultimately, if you want to improve your gameplay and unlock your full potential when playing Counter-Strike 2, you need to make sure you have a full understanding of the various ranks. By getting familiar with the ranking system, working on your skills, and putting into place effective strategies, you can start climbing through the ranks and become a great player.

Remember, the journey towards reaching Global Elite isn’t an easy one. But with dedication, discipline, and the right approach, you could become a truly great player. So, good luck!

CSGO Ranks FAQs

What are the CS2 Ranks?

In CS2, there are 18 ranks that range from Silver I to Global Elite, which reflects your skill level and makes sure matches are fair. These ranks are divided into six tiers:

• Silver: Silver I, Silver II, Silver III, Silver IV, Silver Elite, Silver Elite Master
• Gold Nova: Gold Nova I, Gold Nova II, Gold Nova III, Gold Nova Master
• Master Guardian: Master Guardian I, Master Guardian II, Master Guardian Elite, Distinguished Master Guardian
• Legendary Eagle: Legendary Eagle, Legendary Eagle Master
• Supreme Master First Class
• Global Elite

How good is Silver 4 in CS2?

Silver 4 is one of the beginner ranks in CS2. At this level, you’d have basic skills and still have a lot of room for improvement in different aspects of the game. Silver 4 players are starting to get to grips with the fundamentals and need to start focusing on refining their abilities in aim, map knowledge, and teamwork to start moving up the ranks.

What rank is S1 in CS2?

In CS2, S1 stands for Silver I, which is the game’s lowest initial rating. This is for players just starting out in the game.

What is the highest rank in CS2?

The highest rank in CS2 is Global Elite. However, only a small percentage of highly skilled players will ever reach this prestigious level.

How does CS2 Premier Rank work?

Earning a rating in CS2 Premier Mode involves playing at least 10 matches. Your rating will then be determined by how well you perform – including eliminations, assists, deaths, wins, and losses. Generally, it takes 3 to 5 victories in a row to move up to the next competitive rank tier once you already have a rank.

The CS:GO ranking system can be a confusing topic to tackle for new players to the game. You start off without a rank, and after a set number of matchmaking you’ll receive one relating to your skill. But what exactly does this rank mean? What decided it, and where can you go from there?

In this detailed guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about CS:GO ranks including a list of all 18 ranks in the game and what you can do to rank up quicker. Use the buttons below to quickly jump to a section that you need help with:

• Getting Your First Rank
• How to Rank Up
• Tips to Rank Up Faster