We all know and love Counter-Strike, in all its forms (yes, some people prefer it in certain forms to others, but you know what we mean) – and this game is enjoying yet another year of great popularity and attention from both pro gamers and the casual folks who enjoy unwinding with a controller in their hands.
Counter-Strike has a lot of features that have made it such a stand-out game with such a phenomenal following, but how do you become equally stand-out as a player, making your mark in the world of CS and impressing all your friends in the process?
We’re going to run through all the biggest and best tips for leveling up your skills and going from rookie to pro in as little time as possible – yes, you really can get great at this game without having to pour whole weeks into honing your skills (although practice never hurts, of course!).
Train Your Aim
You’re going nowhere in any version of CS if you can’t aim, and all the pros know this. It’s not about firing a million bullets off quickly – it’s about firing one bullet off in the right place (well, yes, you do need to do it a few times, but still).
So how do you get good at aiming? There are some really good maps to practice this on, including the Aim Botz Training Map (surprise surprise!). It’s got a ton of different settings that will let you practice your aim with a range of different weapons – and we’d recommend doing so with as many weapons as possible since this maximizes your flexibility in a match.
If you add obstacles, you can hone your skills on headshots, and if you include peek walls, you can get some work in on peeking shots. You’ll be up against the bots, and you can adjust how the bots spawn and how much of the map you play on. In short, it’s perfect for whipping your aim into shape, and this will serve you well in every match you attempt.
To get even better, you may wish to watch some pros on YouTube (there are loads of excellent channels out there). You’ll soon see just how precise and perfect their aim often is, lending them a real edge against their opponents in every match.
And if you’ve ever bet on CSGO, you’ll know full well that nobody wins if they can’t land a shot reliably – so really, aim is the most important factor.
Hone Your Map House
One of the joys of Counter-Strike is that it has lots of different maps, meaning you’ve got tons of content to get through before you know it all – but while everyone enjoys the thrill of a new map, knowing your map will unquestionably give you an edge in any game you play.
You’ll soon see ways that you can turn the landscape to your advantage, and that’s key to taking home the gold in Counter-Strike!
Once you’re familiar with the terrain, it’s time to start seeking out the best spots for your favorite tactics. Fan of the smoke bombs? There are some particularly good strategic areas from which to rain one down on your foes, and figuring these out is key to a great win!
If you’re not in the mood for spending hours on every map or if you don’t have a great eye for this stuff, you can always check out lists and tips online; they’re everywhere and you’ll get as much guidance as you could want!
Coupled with this tip, play around with your tools; smoke is one of the best, but flash definitely has its uses, and the better you understand how to utilize these tools, the better you’re going to do!
Tap Into Team Tenacity
Ultimately, your team lives and dies on your ability to work together, and you’re going nowhere without your team in Counter-Strike! You can’t win by yourself, and a lot of people forget this, eating into their chances to nab a victory.
Everyone wants to be a hero when it comes to video games and it can be tempting to grab the flashiest shots, even if that’s not serving your team – but yeah, it’s not going to see you succeed overall. Sometimes, you’ve got to do the legwork that everyone else is neglecting, even if it doesn’t feel like a great chance to shine.
Delaying enemy pushes, offering support, or keeping an eye out for teammates who need your help is one of the best ways to become a better CS player, and it’ll bump up your popularity in significant ways too.
Again, if you watch the pros blitz through matches, you’ll see that they have their teamwork down to fine art, and those that are the best at this are those that attract subscribers, bettors, and fans galore. Sure, it’s not as glorious as taking the crown every time, but it will see you and your team win far more often than any other approach.
