At the higher ranks in CS2 or FACEIT, it's not enough to just shoot well and control the spray. Here you reach a new level, where each player has to fulfill their roles on the map. In this guide we will tell you what roles there are in CS2 and how they differ.
Main roles of players in CS2
There are currently seven main roles in CS2: captain, sniper, rifler, entry fragger, lurker, support and Anchor. It is clear that CS is a 5v5 game, so some roles are only suitable for defense, and some for attack. Let's take a closer look at them.
Captain (IGL)
The main task of the IGL is to plan the round correctly and make decisions, when it’s necessary to make adjustments to the starting plan to save a losing round, or vice versa, to bring a winning round to its logical conclusion. The captain is responsible for coordinating the team, so this person must have strategic thinking and strong leadership skills.
Often in the game, the IGL plays with inferior weapons, as he invests more in grenades and weapons for his teammates. To achieve all of these goals, an IGL must have a thorough knowledge of the maps, all popular strategies and their counter-strategies, and remain calm in tense situations.
Sniper (AWPer)
A sniper is a player who uses the most powerful weapon in the game — AWP. When funds are low, the player in this role can use the SSG 08. The sniper has the advantage of being able to kill with one shot, but the disadvantage is low mobility and single bullet shots. If you miss with an AWP at close range, itʼs very difficult to survive when the enemy fires a rifle while you are trying to reload.
The main job of an AWPer is to keep certain angles at bay. The shooter needs to have impeccable reaction time and an incredibly accurate aim. The sniper also has to be quite careful, as he most often carries a bomb as a reward for his attack.
Entry Fragger
The role of the Entry Fragger requires excellent aim, as it is often the player's responsibility to initiate the first firefight of the round, which can determine its fate. The Entry Fragger's playstyle is often very aggressive, and he must be well aware of the situation on the map, as one of his priorities is to take the lead and check corners.
Rifler
The Rifler is the most versatile role in CS2. Their task is to adapt to the situation in the round and work to protect the plank or support their team's attack.
It is important for referees to be able to shoot all the popular weapons in CS2. These players, like Entry Fragger, need to be able to control the spray and quickly react and adapt to the events on the map.
Support
Support is also one of the most versatile roles in CS2. A player in this role does everything to help their teammates, they are often responsible for throwing grenades, and when defending, they come to reinforce a certain position or plank.
Support players often go unnoticed as they work hard to strengthen the team's economy and gather vital information.
Lurker
If we have previously considered universal roles, then the lurker is more often played by an attacking player. The lurker acts separately from the team in the opposite part of the map to gather information about the enemy, if possible, to make a frag in an unexpected place. The lurker is also often used to simulate the entrance to one of the plant site when the main attack is on the other, and he can often go behind the opponents, which makes it easier to enter the plank for an attack.
The main skills of a lurker are stealth, discipline, map knowledge, and endurance to wait for the enemy to drag or let them pass instead of making a kill, gaining more space and information.
Anchor
The Anchor is the main defender of one of the plant site on the map. His duties are to prevent enemies from entering the plant and to prevent the bomb from being planted. Often, the anchor is the last to leave the plant if the exit goes to another point, as he must make sure that the bomb will not be placed on his plant.
Player versatility
Players in CS2 are meant to be quite versatile, as not all situations require all roles. For this reason, each player has a secondary role that they can instantly switch to whenever they need to, such as playing a second sniper for defence, or abandoning the AWP and opting for the assault rifle instead for economic.
Whether it's changing your primary role to a secondary role or changing your playstyle to suit the flow of the match, the ability to adapt is crucial to a team's success.
How are players distributed in CS2?
There is no universal method for determining which role is best for you. If you are playing MM solo, it is important to be versatile and adapt to the actions of your teammates, especially when they do not communicate with you.
It's different when you play in a team, or at least at high MM or FACEIT ranks. Here, you can communicate with your teammates and determine who will play what roles. It is especially convenient when you have a permanent five and you can each define a role and develop in it.
When you realise that you are constantly playing the role of a sniper, for example, you can watch official matches and demos of professional players to better master the necessary skills, noting the actions of pro players and thus improve your skills. We told you how to watch esportsmen demos in this article.
We hope that after reading this article you will learn more about the roles in CS2 and that it will help you to understand the game better, what you need to do in it and increase your winning percentage. We wish you success in the game!
