Ranking up in CS:GO

Things to consider and focus on when ranking up.

Introduction

Hi! I'm ohm and I am a veteran player to Counter-Strike. I started in High School when CS 1.5 was the current version of the game - I've played with/for Formula 1 and Latency Based Magic at a CAL-M level. No, I have not gotten past Eagle ranking, nor do I think I will - however, googling for tips/tricks to rank up and what differentiates each rank has been pretty difficult so I wanted to share what I've learned and know with the masses in one place. I have also gone from being Silver IV in to DMG within the span of one month. So, I believe this will definitely be useful to many.

This guide is quick and dirty. No fancy pictures and there will be several links to outside resources so that you can do further 'investigation'.

Remember, nothing in life comes easy and if you want something you have to work for it. What this means is, in terms of CS:GO, if your goal is to reach Global Elite - you need to study mechanics, practice mechanics and implement them when in a match.

Deathmatch will be your friend through the first 12 ranks. Get used to playing in a DM server a lot, I would suggest an 80/20 rule meaning that:

• 80% of the time you play DM to explicitly practice your aim and build up that muscle memory to get those 1 deags or flick shots and the other 20% goes to match time.

Let's get started.

Disclaimer: By the end of this guide, you will think I am affiliated with the WarOwl. I am not. His youtube channel is just a great place to start and learn from. Also, if you see a hyperlinked word, it's a link to a warowl video and is harmless.

Silver 1 to Gold Nova Master

These are the ranks you are in if you've never played a FPS game with the skill curve that CS:GO has, let alone the mechanics of how CS:GO works.

There is no shame in being in these ranks and the best thing to do is to find friends who are also interested in ranking up and playing the game seriously. You will have something in common with eachother and when it comes time to practice, you will have a friend help validate things with you - like in-game perception .

WarOwl, while some may dislike him - has a goldmine of information on his youtube channel that will lend to teaching you how to effectively play the game, capitalize on in-game sounds (more important than you think) and a deeper understanding of popular weapons, maps and strategy.

Additionally, here are some things that will assist you in becoming a better player:

• Learn about configs, autoexec, bindings, server settings, etc. There is plenty online and in the guide sections to get you through this.
  
• Don't listen to music when you play a match. Footsteps, Reloads, Weapon switches, Players jumping will lend extra information that you can use to be called a hacker (which, is most definitely a compliment in cs:go - unless you're hacking, then you're just an ass). As an example, If you know someone is reloading, it is safe to push them in most cases. Additionally, you will be able to provide your TEAM the pertinent knowledge of when/where/how an enemy team is pushing a site (I.e. Proper plays at mid on Cache will tell you if they are rushing/delaying site A or B).
  
• This is a team based game. You will not carry your team unless you are extraordinarily good, and even then it may not win your team the game. You must have good rapport with your teammates and being a jackass negates chances to win. This means, don't always act your age - get along, thank teammates for buying you, compliment good plays and don't speak (in-game sounds are important, remember?) when you are dead.
  
• When making calls, don't complain - If you are killed at mid to a guy whose at ladder room cat - call that specifically. "1 CT mid at ladder room cat." Another great video from WarOwl goes over stuff like this. I highly suggest you watch it.
  
• Learn the economy[www.youtube.com]. When you are a Terrorist, you need head armor. When you are a CT you only need a vest. In paying attention to this, you can have an extra $10,500 over the course of a 15-15 round tied match).
  
• Great aim comes from great gun control. Once you learn how to control your favorite weapons, it becomes a much easier task to learn where to aim on a target.
  
• Last but not least, crosshair placement.

This is not an exhaustive list, but knowing these things going into the game and practicing them frequently will get you to the higher ranks faster. They are also a great baseline to know, simply because it gives you a very in-depth understanding of the basics of cs:go within a relatively short period of time.

TL;DR: Learn how to practice. Learn how to control weapons. Learn how to communicate & interact with your team. Learn how to place your crosshair.

Now that you've gotten to Master Guardian 1, let's move onto the next section.

Master Guardian 1 to 2

Congratulations on getting to Master Guardian! Now, it's time to learn maps[counterstrike.wikia.com].

By now, your gun control and crosshair placement should be effective. Not only that, but you should also know how to tell your teammates where enemies are spotted, where you got killed from and your game sense should be to the point where you generally *know* where enemies are when pushing a site, lane, etc.

To rank up to Master Guardian Elite:

• Learn your maps. What are common call-outs? What are players common spots? What are not common spots? What's the name of X, Y, Z. Knowing these will increase your game sense. Learn them well.
  
• Learn timings. How long will it take me, as a Terrorist in spawn point A, B, C or D; to get to X, Y or Z? How fast after a bomb plant can I wait to capitalize off of enemy players aggressive after-bomb plant peeks? How long does it take to rotate to B from back site of A? How long does it take to fake a B push and go A through underpass? Knowing these things will improve upon your game sense.
  
• Ask yourself important questions. How's my reflexes? Am I making kills because of my aim or because I'm in a better position? These are only some of the questions you need to ask yourself, make a mental note of, and explore later during practice.

These are quite difficult to grasp. After years of playing, I'm to the point where I can see or hear an enemy team backing off and know that I need to rotate (conversely, I know that if I rotated and don't see them after a specific interval, that chances are I got faked). For others, this is not so easy - listen to your gut on these things and the more you focus on your timings, knowing the maps will mean that your gut is more often correct than your brain. Follow it.

Now that you're MGE, let's discuss ranking up to DMG onward.

Master Guardian Elite to Distinguished Master Guardian

Now that you are MGE, you are going to have a very difficult time getting to DMG and staying there. You are to the point where you not only know when to spray your weapon (i.e. if you see someone spraying with an ak at someone mid-range or further - they clearly don't know what they are doing.) , your game sense allows you to get kills while flashed, smoked out or to avoid other incoming grenades (molotov's being a great example). So, what sets an MGE and a DMG apart?

Positioning.

• Also watch this on Positioning based on timing & game sense. It will help you learn the minute differences that will put you above the rest of the pack.
  
• At this point, you probably stopped queuing Deathmatches to warm-up and to continue practicing gun control and aim. This is a mistake. You need to go back and play DM and use weapons you don't play well with. The benefit of doing this will mean that you can be on an eco round, with only a pistol, pick up a weapon you may not be familar with and clutch the round for a win. Get back into a DM.
  
• Learn how to position for pistol rounds, retakes and holding long lanes (i.e. long a, dust2). Another link on the subject: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnN2Cc06MGA

Legendary Eagle to Global Elite

By this point, you are in the top 3 ranks prior to Global Elite - which is likely your goal. The difference between Supreme Master First Class and Global Elite is that Global Elite has, from general populace opinion, hackers and professional players. The difference is also that you will be facing friends/teams and players who have synergy. At this point, there's only a few things you can do to improve.

• Practice grenades. Knowing the physics will enable you to throw nades more efficiently, avoid them efficiently and make them worth the investment of $50 to $600.
  
• Practice gun control, aim, positioning, grenade throws in a private match.
  
• Practice, practice, practice!
  
• Prefire.

These are the ranks that will take the longest time to move up from. At this point, it's all about refinement, practice and experience. Do not get caught up in the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ - find a team, find friends, play and have fun.

[X ;]]

LIVING RENT FREE IN HIS MIND FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK.