In competitive CS:GO, the Global Elite ranking is the light at the end of the ranked tunnel. Global Elite players embody the top one percent of CS:GO players in their respective regions and represent the best of the best.
It's no easy task to climb the ranks from the lowly Silver ranks to Global Elite. But for the dedicated CS:GO competitive player, it's possible. And with the introduction of short match durations in competitive mode, players no longer have to climb ranks solely via matches that might last as long as 30 rounds.
Here are some essentials and tips for playing CS:GOs in the top competitive mode.
How ranked works in CS:GO
If youre a first-time player, or if you're playing on a new account, you'll need to win ten competitive matches to get your first skill rating. During this time, you will only be able to play two matches per day, so this early part of the process will be the most frustrating.
If you have already formed a skill group and take an extended break, youll need to win a match when you return to have your rank redisplayed. The same applies when Valve reconfigured its ranking system.
If you are considering competing with friends in a competitive queue, keep in mind that you must only queue with teammates who are within five ranks of you, unless you are queueing with a whole stack of five.
For its Wingman mode (the two-versus-two mode) and its Danger Zone mode (the battle royale), CS:GO has separate competitive modes and skill groups.
How to reach Global Elite
Players are assigned a skill group based on their skill rating in CS:GOs competitive mode. A player's skill rating is based on how well they perform in matches, both as an individual and as a team. Overall, players will generally improve their rating with wins and lose it with losses.
Here are some basic advice on achieving an excellent standing and staying competitive in CS:GO:
- Warm up with modes like deathmatch or Arms Race. Arms Race is a useful mode for getting some basic familiarity with all weapons, and deathmatch is perfect for getting warmed up with your primary weapon.
- Communicate effectively. Use your mic, use pings, and use text chat in a clear, respectful way. To supplement this, learn some of the basic callouts for each of the maps in the active duty pool.
- Learn the economy. Unlike VALORANT where you can see how much money youll have next round, CS:GOs buy menu doesnt have that feature. Take the time to learn how loss/win round bonuses work.
- If youre really serious about reaching Global Elite, you will definitely have to learn some of the common smoke grenade line-ups.