How to Unlock Premier Mode in CS2

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Premier Mode in Counter-Strike 2 allows fans to experience the competitive aspect of Valve's shooter as closely as possible. That’s why it is currently the main game mode. In this article, we’ll explain the steps needed to unlock Premier in CS2.

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What is Premier Mode in CS2?

Premier is the main competitive mode in CS2. After a successful match search, players enter the veto phase, during which they take turns banning maps from the active pool. At the end of the banning and selection phase, only one map remains, and the match is played on it. The team that banned maps second gets the choice of side (Terrorists or Counter-Terrorists). Winning a match earns players ELO points, which affect their leaderboard position. Losing, of course, results in a loss of points.

To get your first CS rating, you need to complete calibration—a process during which the game determines your skill level. To finish calibration, you must win ten matches in Premier Mode, after which an ELO rating will be assigned.

How to Unlock Premier in CS2

Valve made Premier Mode the primary mode in CS2, aiming to provide players with a richer and more balanced gaming experience. However, access to this competitive mode needs to be unlocked. Here’s what you need to do:

Download CS2 on Steam: Start by installing the game through the Steam platform.
Purchase Prime Status: Prime Status costs $14.99. In addition to granting access to Premier Mode, it provides weekly free CS2 skins and cases.
Reach Account Level 10 in CS2: Play matches in other modes to gain experience, which depends on wins and losses. On average, it takes several days of active play to reach level 10. The most experience can be earned in competitive mode, deathmatches, or Arms Race.
Unlock Premier Mode: After reaching level 10 and acquiring Prime Status, Premier Mode will be automatically unlocked. You can then participate in matches that are as close to professional play as possible and get your ELO rating.

Why Premier Mode Might Not Work in CS2

Even if you meet all the requirements, access to CS2 Premier Mode might be restricted. Possible issues and their solutions:

Launch Option Conflicts: When transitioning from CS to CS2, there might be conflicts with launch options. To resolve this, go to CS2’s properties in your Steam library, open the "General" tab, clear the text from the "Launch Options" field, and restart the game.
Valve Server Issues: Premier Mode matches are played on special Valve servers. If there are issues with these servers, the game might not recognize your Prime Status. In this case, you’ll have to wait until the problems are resolved.
Prime Status and Account Level Check: Make sure that Prime Status is purchased and that you have indeed reached level 10 in CS2. Check Steam to confirm payment for Prime Status and play a few matches in other modes to ensure you reach level 10.

How Matchmaking in CS2 Differs from CS

The main difference between Premier Mode in CS2 and CSGO is the MR12 match system. In CS2, players are allowed to play 12 rounds per side, while CSGO had an MR15 system with 15 rounds per side.

Additionally, CS2 introduced overtime: at a score of 12:12, the match moves into overtime, with three rounds per side played until a winner is determined. CSGO did not have overtime, and a 15:15 score resulted in a draw.

Moreover, in CS2, matches are played only on maps from the active pool: Mirage, Ancient, Nuke, Anubis, Inferno, Dust2, and Vertigo. In CSGO, there were additional maps available.

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Conclusion

In CS2, players have the freedom to choose their matchmaking mode, but Premier Mode is the closest to professional matches, attracting thousands of players worldwide. Now you know how to unlock this mode and enjoy more serious competitive matches in CS2.