Counter-Strike 2 offers XP (experience points) for obtaining weapons, skins, cases, and other drops. While higher levels correlate with stronger skill sets, anyone can grind for XP. All a player needs to do then is play the game!
Even though drops aren’t always ideal, players can still sell them for a small amount of Steam credit. After awhile, it can pile up and increase the value of a player’s inventory.
Players usually earn XP by getting kills, winning rounds, and planting or defusing the bomb. To get XP, however, players must have a Prime subscription (one-time cost of $14.99). Even so, new and dedicated players can make up the cost over time.
To unlock competitive and premier modes, players need to reach level 2 or 10, respectively.
Other Points To Consider
- There are no longer random drops at the end of a match. Instead, players receive a weekly care package each time they level up
- From the weekly care package, players choose two out of four options, ranging from cases to skins to stickers (knives and gloves excluded)
- Despite a max of 40 profile ranks, the level resets along with a service medal upgrade (gray to red; 6 total)
- In addition to XP gained through playing, CS2 offers a weekly bonus boost using a 5,000 XP pool with a multiplier that diminishes over time (check gallery images for full details); bonus XP isn't granted if 5000 was already awarded during the week
- Keep in mind that XP gains for hostage mode fall under competitive and casual matches
- For each hostage rescued, players gain 2 points on the scoreboard (check the table below for full details). Leaving a match early does not give any XP
- If a player earns more than 11,000 XP approximately during a single week, then the bonus multiplier, regardless of the game mode, goes down drastically (0.175)
- To check your XP, go to the main menu, click your profile/avatar, and then scroll over your service medal
That said, let’s get into the different ways to obtain XP, alongside their respective multipliers (if any).
*For the following table: Mult. = Multiplier, DM = Deathmatches, CAM = Casual Matches, COM = Competitive Matches, and WM = Wingman
CS2 XP Gains
| Description | Score | DM Mult. | CAM Mult. | AM Mult. | WM Mult. | COM Mult. | Total XP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kills | x 2 | x 0.2 | x 4 | x 1 | Use {Rounds Won x 15} instead of your score. | Use {Rounds Won x 30} instead of your score. | Score x Mult. Or Roun -ds Won x 15 / 30 |
| Assists | x 1 | ||||||
| Bomb Planted | x 2 | ||||||
| Bomb Planter Alive When Bomb Explodes | x 2 | ||||||
| Bomb Planter Dead When Bomb Explodes | x 1 | ||||||
| Other T’s alive when Bomb Explodes | x 1 | ||||||
| Defusing Bomb | x 2 | ||||||
| Other CT’s alive when bomb is defused | x 1 | ||||||
| Hostage Rescue | x 2 |
*For example, after one deathmatch: 100 kills x 2 = 200. 200 x 0.2 Mutiplier = 40 XP
*Note that players do not gain XP from Faceit servers; only official matchmaking servers (including premier)
6. Operation Events
Operation Riptide released in late 2021.
Operations events occur periodically and randomly. Players often complete missions and gain XP as a result.
Usually, an Operation Event appears when new skins, stickers, maps, and gameplay changes are introduced. There’s no strict timeline when they occur, so inevitably, it’s somewhat random.
The time to complete these missions varies, but players can no longer gain this XP once the event ends.
Rewards (Varies)
Sometimes, finishing these missions yields substantial XP, especially when the Operation event was paid for. On the other hand, some missions may take longer than expected for mediocre XP gains. All in all, it varies.
Verdict
Because Operation Events are periodically or randomly assigned, XP gains are inconsistent. Players, can, however, choose to participate when they do arise. Thus, for daily XP grinds, look elsewhere.
How It Works
- Look for Operation Events using social media, Counter Strike’s release notes, and even the game’s main menu
- Operation Events usually occur at least once, if not a few times per year
- Complete the missions and pay to participate in the Operation Event (if you wish do so)
- Monitor XP gains
5. Arms Race
In Arms Race, players cycle through a variety of weapons.
In Arms Race, players cycle through various guns via deathmatch, fighting until a player surpasses the final level by knifing an opponent.
To move up a level (16 max), each player must have 2 kills per weapon, excluding the knife. In contrast to other modes, the official time set is mostly irrelevant. Instead, it becomes a race against other players. Interestingly, players are assigned to one of two teams at the start (CT or T), despite having one winner.
Players are also randomly assigned to one of two unique Arms Race maps.
Matches are set for 10 minutes, but usually end between 7 to 9.
Rewards (XP = Score)
Unfortunately, a player’s score isn’t listed in an Arms Race match. Instead, players must calculate their score based on their level.
Recall that each kill rewards 2 points. Assists do not count here.
Let’s take the example of the player, “Bob.” Assume Bob wins the match, reaching all 16 levels with a knife kill. Since each level-up requires two kills, except the knife, Bob has a score of (15 x 4) + (1 x 2) = 62, or 62 XP.
Now assume Bob finishes at level 14. With each kill awarding 2 points and 2 kills per level-up, Bob either has (13 x 4) = 52 XP or (13 x 4) + (1 x 2) = 54 XP.
Verdict
Despite its short duration and quick encounters, Arms Race provides mediocre XP given a multiplier of 1. In fact, the highest multiplier based on score goes to casual matches at 4.
Recall that competitive and wingman matches also offer a multiplier, but base XP on team performance, not just individual. So even if a player isn’t doing well, their team can help out.
How It Works
- Join an Arms Race match (under the Matchmaking Tab; random map)
- Recall that each level-up requires 2 kills, except the knife
- Play until the match ends (first person to complete 16 levels)
- Calculate XP earned for the match, given a player’s score (multiplier of 1). For example, 1st place grants 62 XP, or (15 x 4) + (1 x 2)
- Monitor XP gains and time allotted
4. Wingman
CS2's default 2v2 mode.
Given a 2v2 format, Wingman matches use only one bomb site (or portion of the map), with spawns closed in.
For example, players on Nuke only have access to back vents, tunnels, B site, etc. Bomb sites don’t alternate, unfortunately, as bombsite B is the only option on Nuke currently (as with all maps; either A or B).
Each round lasts up to 1:30 for 16 rounds max, or first to 9.
Wingman matches usually range anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes.
Rewards (XP = 15 X Rounds Won)
If a team wins the match, the most XP they’ve gained is 135. If on average a team wins 5 rounds, that’s 75 XP.
Going back to player Bob, if he wanted 100 XP each match, how many rounds does he need to win? Well, 6 rounds grant 90 XP, and 7 rounds grant 105 XP. So about 7 out of 9 rounds per match.
Verdict
Given its fairly competitive nature and subpar multiplier, wingman matches offer mediocre XP gains. For example, while 7 rounds are needed to gain 100 XP, in competitive mode, only 4 rounds are needed. On the flip side, however, rounds are shorter (at 1:30) with faster encounters. Victory stands at 9 rounds, whereas with competitive, it stands at 13.
Nonetheless, since both measure a team's performance, competitive matches apply a bigger multiplier and therefore are usually more effective for XP gains (even with the moderate gap in time).
How It Works
- Join a wingman match by choosing the appropriate map (under the Matchmaking Tab; limited to 4)
- Play until the match ends (first to 9 rounds)
- Calculate XP earned for the match, given a multiplier of 15 while using, “Rounds Won.” For example, 7 Rounds Won X 15 = 105 XP
- Monitor XP gains and time allotted
3. Deathmatch
While great for training, DM offers the lowest multiplier at 0.2.
Deathmatch is exactly what it sounds like; players constantly run around, fight, and die until the end of the match. For CS2’s official servers, players choose their preferred map pool (or map) and play for a maximum of 10 minutes.
Unlike other modes, players can choose whatever weapon they want at almost any time (right after respawning).
Rewards (XP= Score X 0.2)
Let’s take the example of player Bob again. Recall that each kill grants 2 points, with an assist counting as 1.
From this deathmatch, Bob has 100 kills with 10 assists. With each kill counting as 2 points, Bob currently has a score of 200. Given 10 assists, however, that’s an additional 10 points. The grand total now is a score of 210.
All that’s left is to multiply 210 by 0.2, or 210 x 0.2. From that, Bob gets 42 XP from the 10-minute match.
How many kills though would Bob need to get 100 XP? Let’s find out.
Without any assists, Bob needs 250 kills or a score of 500 to get 100 XP, or (250K X 2S) x (0.2M), where K = Kills, S =Score, and M = Multiplier. Keep in mind that it’s very difficult to get 250 kills in 10 minutes. Hence, multiple deathmatches are usually required.
Verdict
Deathmatch often demands a player’s attention with no breaks. Despite its short duration (10 minutes or less), it offers the lowest multiplier at 0.2.
Deathmatch’s biggest upside, however, is its potential for player growth. Given the continuous need to shoot and move, players reinforce what they’ve learned, especially when practicing their spray beforehand (e.g. recoil training maps).
Overall, deathmatch often demands substantial effort to gain even moderate XP, but is quite useful for improving a player’s skillset.
How It Works
- Enter a deathmatch by choosing a map (under the Matchmaking Tab)
- Keep in mind that not all deathmatches start from the beginning
- Play until the match ends
- Calculate XP earned for this match, given a 0.2 multiplier. For example, 250 kills in a deathmatch grants 100 XP, all else constant
- Official deathmatch servers last for 10 minutes max; monitor XP gains and time allotted
2. Casual Matches
Casual matches offer the highest multiplier based on score at 4.
Casual mode uses a 15-round cap or 8-rounds to victory. While the maximum number of players is 20, the number fluctuates, as individuals join and leave, resulting in slightly fewer players overall.
Players choose sides and can change at almost any time. Once in awhile, however, players must play for the opposing team if the teams are unbalanced.
As for money, the kill rewards are halved, but players gain $1,000 to start off and obtain a free kevlar +helmet each round.
Users can also spectate enemies once they die.
Casual matches usually range from 15 to 25 minutes.
Rewards (XP = Score X 4)
For casual mode, players gain XP based on their score X 4. Recall that each kill grants 2 points, with an assist counting as 1.
For example, let’s say player Bob has 11 kills and 3 assists in a casual match. How much XP would he gain? First, let’s calculate his score.
11 kills nets 22 points (11 x 2) while 3 assists nets 3 points (3 x 1) for a total of 25 on the scoreboard.
Now, to find the total XP amount, we multiply 25 points by 4 and get 100 XP. This does not include bomb plants, refusals, and player/bomb status (dead or alive).
Depending on a player’s skill level though, XP per match varies.
Verdict
Casual matches offer a more laid-back experience compared to competitive and even deathmatch. Given its user-friendly economy, reduced max rounds, and bigger player base, one can freely play without all the stress. Farming kills might also be easier thanks to a smaller skill gap and bigger player pool, generally speaking.
Casual servers then offer a decent amount of XP given the low difficulty, timeframe, and carefree environment.
Their biggest downside perhaps is a low contribution to player growth, compared to deathmatch servers, competitive mode, and workshop maps.
How It Works
- Enter a Casual Match by choosing the map pool (under the Matchmaking Tab)
- Keep in mind that not all casual matches start from the beginning
- Play until the match ends (feel free to check the score using tab as the default button, but don’t get too distracted!)
- Calculate XP earned for this type of match, given a multiplier of 4. For example, 11 kills with 3 assists gives 100 XP, all else constant
- Keep track of the start and end time for each casual match to monitor XP gains
1. Competitive Matches/Premier
Arguably the best way to gain XP.
Competitive matches offer a more intense and difficult style of play. Unlike casual matches, competitive matches end at 13 rounds or max out at 24 rounds. And instead of 10 players on each side, each team has 5.
For newer players, keep in mind that competitive matchmaking unlocks at level 2.
With MR12, competitive matches usually range anywhere from 20 to 35 minutes.
Rewards (XP= 30 X Rounds Won)
Let’s assume, on average, player Bob wins an average of 8 out of 13 rounds in competitive mode. To find his XP, simply multiply 30 X 8 = 240 XP. Again, this is not to say Bob only wins 8 rounds for each match played, but rather averages 8 rounds per match.
Going back to the previous examples, what does Bob need to gain only 100 XP? Given 3 rounds won, Bob gains 90 XP. Given 4 rounds won, Bob gains 120 XP. So around 3 to 4 rounds per match, at minimum.
Verdict
While competitive matches often demand the most attention and resources, the rewards are substantial. In fact, it offers the highest multiplier while using a whole number, or “Rounds Won.” For example, winning a competitive match grants almost 400 XP (30 x 13RW). Even half of that, or 6 rounds won, grants close to 200 XP. And now, with MR12, competitive games are shorter in length.
Furthermore, individual performance is only a part of the equation, as XP is measured by, “Rounds Won,” or team performance as well.
The biggest downside perhaps is time and the lack of practice (if applicable) outside of competitive matches. For example, it’s ideal to warm up on a deathmatch server or recoil map before jumping straight into a competitive match (or at least the first one). Players may not gain XP, but are more likely to perform better in a competitive match. So indirectly, players can farm XP this way.
How It Works
- Join a competitive match by choosing a map (under the Matchmaking Tab)
- Play until the match ends (first to 13 rounds)
- Calculate XP earned for the match, given a multiplier of 30 while using, “Rounds Won.” For example, 10 Rounds Won X 30 = 300 XP
- Monitor XP gains and time allotted
