In this post we discuss CS2 team roles as a Counter-Strike 2 team’s composition is crucial to its long-term success. You’ll notice designated roles in the top esports teams, with some players following specific in-game patterns in each match.
Depending on the situation, players can take on multiple roles or even shift roles during a match. You’ll find explanations of all the CS2 team roles and their impact on gameplay below.
CS2 Team Roles
A Guide To CS2 Team Roles
There are five CS2 roles in professional team composition. We’ll explain the five team roles, so gamers have a deeper understanding of how a CS2 match plays out.
AWPer
You’ll see top-tier CS2 AWPers top the scoreboard, using the “big green,” aka the Magnum Sniper Rifle (AWP for short), to destroy their foes. The AWPer is all about the “one-shot, one-kill” mantra, but this role in a CS2 esports team is not easy, especially playing around the new reactive Smoke Grenades.
The AWP costs 4750 in-game cash, making it the second-most-expensive weapon (behind the 5000 G3SG1). This makes holding the AWP, as the team’s dedicated sniper, a stressful situation. If the AWPer dies and loses the weapon, it could spell hardship for a team in the next round. Teams may use a secondary AWPer in certain conditions, especially on the CT side, if they have cash to spare.
AWPers must position themselves carefully and aim impeccably since missing a shot could lead to death. The GOAT of Counter-Strike esports, Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyljev, is an AWPer, and so is “the Chosen One,” Team Vitality’s Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut. These players make the role of AWPer look easy with their quick reflexes—but we assure you it is not!
Entry Fragger
With fast, steady aim and a hunger for an early kill, the entry fragger is both an exciting and daunting role. When Terrorists push a Bombsite, for example, the entry fragger is first around the corner. These players must have nerves of steel because losing their in-game life due to a failed entry attempt can put their team in a 4v5 situation for the rest of the round. The minimum goal for the entry fragger is to trade kills.
Entry fraggers are generally riflers, using an M4A1S or an AK to sweep around a corner and headshot their opponents. Dancing around Molotov flames on Banana in Inferno, or being the first one through Vent on Nuke is the entry fragger’s bread and butter. A prime example of an impactful entry fragger with great game sense is G2 Esports’ Nikola “NiKo” Kovač, who plays the role so well he is considered one of the best overall CS2 pros in the world.
Lurker
In public matches, CS2 players call out, “I want to lurk!” because it’s such a fun playstyle. However, in professional events, the lurker role is much more intense. The lurker is a loner who attempts to catch the other team off-guard.
In the biggest CS2 esports matches, teams don’t always use the lurker role. Depending on what’s happening, the team leader may call for one player to lurk in a certain area of the map to gather information on enemy positions. A prime example is if the Terrorists want to find out which Bombsite is stacked with three players.
FaZe Clan’s Robin “ropz” Kool comes to mind as one of the best lurkers in the business. A prime example is how ropz was instrumental to FaZe’s success at the Thunderpick World Championship, earning the HLTV MVP award for his stellar performances throughout the event.
Support
Support is the selfless, sacrificing role in a CS2 team. These players are unlikely to top the scoreboard, but their contribution is significant. Support uses low-cost weapons and builds a bank to throw big-ticket items to the dedicated AWPer—like the AWP, of course.
These players support their highly-skilled teammates, even purchasing utility items such as flashbangs or smokes if another player is low on in-game cash. Some support players only activate this role in a match if their team needs it. A great example is Ilya “Perfecto” Zalutskiy, who can sometimes clutch in a 3v1 situation and earn 20 frags against the enemy team.
In-Game Leader (IGL)
You can consider the in-game leader (IGL) the squad captain. This CS2 role in professional teams is coupled with another duty from the list above. Most often, IGLs tend to fill a support role in addition to their role as team captains. However, there are exceptions. For example, Outsiders’ Dzhami “Jame” Ali is both the AWPer and the IGL.
The role of the IGL in CS2 teams is the most difficult because this player needs to call out the strats during each round of a match. Decisions include:
- Deciding which Bombsite to put a more vigorous defense in as CTs.
- Which Bombsite to target as the Ts.
- If/when a player rotation is needed.
There are finer economic decisions for the IGL, too. For example, when to “force buy” into a round and when to save and give up a round.
Why Do I Need To Know The CS2 Team Roles?
Understanding the different CS2 team roles can improve your gameplay, of course, but also potentially your betting results if you enjoy placing wagers on esports! You’ll find possible betting advantages through proper research and staying up-to-date with CS2 team news (check out our dedicated CS2 esports blog). For example, if a team’s AWPer has lost confidence before competing against tough opponents, their team is less likely to succeed.
If a specific player crumbles under the pressure of a LAN environment, or an IGL is off their game and making poor calls, the impact is massive. However, talented players can step in and take over a role while a match is underway because CS2 roles aren’t set in stone.
Remember That Player Roles Are Fluid
Player roles are dynamic and fluid, working for both the T and the CT sides. Not every CS2 team will use every role each match or even in all 24 rounds of a match. There are a few exceptions, as each team has an in-game leader.
Even the AWPer may use a rifle on specific maps, or if the team decides to, for example, “rush B” as Terrorists. It is essential to note that except for the AWPer, all other players are considered “riflers,” and every team has secondary roles.
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