In CS2, players can take on several roles crucial to their team’s success, but new players might find it difficult to fit in and understand what they need to do to be impactful.
Thanks to having a lot of reps in the game, experienced players will be more well-rounded and capable of performing in any role. However, there are skills unique to some positions, which could determine what role suits a player best.
Here are all the major roles CS2 players should know about.
Traditionally, CS2 has five main roles for the five players allowed on a team. Importantly, the best CS2 teams work when every player has an assigned role ahead of time. Balance is very important in a successful CS2 team.
The AWPer is probably the CS2 role with the highest ceiling. Named after the expensive sniper rifle, AWPers are responsible for holding long angles, supporting their teammates with utility and cover, and providing the necessary X-factor when needed.
Players who want to be an AWPer need to focus on improving their skills with the sniper rifle, but can’t neglect the other rifles. With the AWP being one of the most expensive guns in the game, snipers have to be serviceable with other cheaper weapons in case the big green is too expensive.
An entry fragger is charged with the task of being the first one to break enemy defenses. In doing so, they can set the tempo of the match and create opportunities for their teammates.
While they may end up being one of the first to die, the entry fragger prioritizes the team over their own personal survival. Entry fraggers must be quick on the draw and fully commit to the push. They are often accompanied by a second rifler whose goal is to trade if the entry fragger dies.
IGLs are crucial to the success of the entire match. They are responsible for their team’s strategy, which includes creating plans before the game even starts and adapting them on the fly. IGLs must pay attention to their enemies’ weaknesses and patterns to exploit them.
Good IGLs must be able to adjust strategies on the spot and have a strong and confident leadership presence in their team. They effectively serve as the captain of the team. Note that IGLs can be riflers or AWPers in addition to their normal responsibilities.
Note that being an in-game leader in a casual or even matchmaking game might not be a good idea, as random teammates usually won’t be too keen to follow your orders. The IGL role works best in a set five-person team with a clear, established hierarchy.
As their name suggests, the lurker’s importance lies in remaining unseen. It is their job to sneak behind enemy lines, collecting crucial intel and potentially leading a one-man ambush.
Unlike other players, lurkers spend much of the match completely separated from their own team. They should have a good awareness of their surroundings and how they fit into them.
On the T side, lurkers oftentimes help take a site before relocating to an offbeat position to catch CTs by surprise.
Finally, supports in CS2 are the most versatile of the five main roles. Their main job is to support their fellow teammates with utility and fill gaps when things do not go to plan.
Oftentimes, supports will end up providing cover for other teammates, especially the entry fragger.
A good support will be able to provide impact through means other than kills alone and be proficient with a wide variety of weapons.
There are a few secondary roles in CS2 that can be filled by players in addition to their main job.
Anchors, for instance, focus on defending their assigned bombsite, often on their own. It’s one of the toughest jobs out there, as it heavily relies on sharp aim and high awareness. Getting a kill or two, while delaying the opponent’s push, is all a team could ask for from a solid anchor.
Credit: Michal Konkol | © BLAST
Rotators are CT-side players who occupy the positions in between bombsites, including mid, who are tasked with controlling the bulk of the map, and helping out anchors when need be. Star players and IGLs often take up the rotator roles, since they see a lot of action every round.
Lastly, a star player is the best player on the team, expected to deliver the most impact through fragging output. Other players on the team should do what they can to facilitate the star player, supporting them with manpower and utility. These days, star players can take up nearly any role within the team, including the anchor and AWPer positions.
Some of the best professional CS2 players rank for two or more roles, such as Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyljev, who’s known both as an AWPer and a star player. To be competitive in CS2, then, players should diversify their skill sets so they can fill any role their team requires.
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