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CS:GO is one of the most competitive and strategically challenging first-person shooter games, especially for newcomers. Matchmaking, particularly the ranking system, can be overwhelming for new players as it contains a lot of new information they need to grasp. In this article, Mytour will provide you with all the information you need to know about Counter-Strike: Global Offensive's ranking system.
CSGO Ranking System - Everything You Need to Know
1. All Ranks in CSGO Ranking System
Advancing ranks in Valve's shooter game undoubtedly demands players to invest considerable time and dedication. Climbing the ranks is no easy feat in other shooters like Rainbow Six Siege and Overwatch. CS: GO boasts one of the highest skill ceilings in the shooter genre. Since going free-to-play, it has seen at least a million players visiting its servers during peak hours.
It must be acknowledged that CSGO's popularity has waned in recent months due to the emergence of Valorant and partly due to the worsening issue of game hacking. However, the game still manages to attract new players every week, some of whom may need a little assistance when it comes to the ranking system.
Before delving into what you need to know about CS:GO competitive mode and effective ranking up strategies, let's take a look at all the CS:GO ranks in order:
- Silver I
- Silver II
- Silver III
- Silver IV
- Silver Elite
- Silver Elite Master
- Gold Nova I
- Gold Nova II
- Gold Nova III
- Gold Nova Master
- Master Guardian I
- Master Guardian II
- Master Guardian Elite
- Distinguished Master Guardian
- Legendary Eagle
- Legendary Eagle Master
- Supreme Master First Class
- The Global Elite
While Iron stands as the lowest rank in Valorant, Silver holds the lowest position in CSGO with Global Elite being the highest rank attainable. The average player rank touched upon is around Gold Nova II and Gold Nova III, with Master Guardian marking the biggest skill leap in the ranking ladder.
2. When can you play ranked matches?
As a newcomer to CSGO, you won't be able to jump into ranked matches right away. Firstly, you need to reach level 2 by participating in some standard game modes like Deathmatch, Demolition, Arms Race, and Casual. Each match (win or lose) will reward you with some XP points, and once you reach level 2 through this method, you'll finally be eligible to join ranked matches.
However, before being assigned a rank, you'll first have to go through a few provisional matches - matches that will match you with players of varying skill levels. This matchmaking type during provisional matches will help CSGO determine your skill level and provide you with an appropriate rank.
3. Details about each rank and their significance
As mentioned earlier, Gold Nova is the most populous rank, but to achieve Gold Nova, you'll need some skill and a few victories under your belt. It's not precisely the easiest rank to progress to, but it's not overly difficult either.
Newcomers can achieve the Silver rank and progress to Gold Nova from there. You'll need to develop a sense and knowledge of the utility of items like smoke grenades and molotovs. Recoil control is also something you'll need to understand. Only when you can shoot accurately and aim perfectly, can you progress from Gold Nova to Master Guardian.
Players at the Gold Nova level typically have good aiming skills, but they tend to play for themselves. They often get very frustrated and can be hot-tempered with teammates over voice chat.
Master Guardian is perhaps the biggest skill leap in the ranking ladder. Here, you not only need to master various map callouts but also need clear communication with your teammates. You might even have to learn to play as a support member and use utility items effectively in roles like your Entry Fragger.
Ranks from Super Master upwards are the elite positions of professional gamers and streamers. They are extraordinary players who have taken their gameplay to a whole new level of skill.
4. Effective Ranking Up Strategies in CSGO
Unlike in Valorant, where in-game stats and your hidden MMR play a crucial role in helping you rank up or down, MVP stats in CSGO will hardly assist you in climbing ranks.
Winning is more crucial than any other factor in CSGO ranked matches. This means if you don't win, you'll quickly derank no matter how high your MMR stats are.
The ranking system in CSGO is akin to chess, utilizing ranking methods like Elo and Glicko-2. However, in chess, you at least have control over your own results and don't have to rely on teammates or anything else.
This is one of the reasons why a chess-style ranking system isn't used in 5v5 shooter games. That's because wins and losses heavily impact a player's rank regardless of how well they play.
However, there's a reward the system gives to players who can defeat opponents with higher MMR scores and more skills than them. If you beat players with a higher rank than yours, you'll earn more LP than when you win against players with lower MMR levels.
Therefore, to effectively rank up in CSGO, you'll have to secure victories. To win, you'll need not only good aim and solo performance but also clear communication with your teammates.
CSGO isn't a solo game. Unlike in League of Legends or Dota 2, where you can carry 1v5 if you have a good carry, this certainly doesn't apply to tactical team-based shooter games.
Always remember, while Grind activities might seem like a good idea initially, you shouldn't do so even when you're on a winning streak. This is because for every consecutive game you play, the total points gained or lost will decrease significantly.
That's one of the biggest criticisms Valve has faced with its CS:GO ranking system, but this issue won't disappear anytime soon.
Solo 1v1s in CSGO occur when each gamer will have their lane, let's explore Winning Tips in CSGO 1v1 Showdowns here.
