CS2 is known for its highly competitive gameplay, and many players want to jump into the action. But with some features locked behind Prime, it’s unclear whether the standard competitive game mode is one of them. The good news is that the regular competitive mode is available to everyone, Prime or not. However, CS2 now has more than one competitive option. Keep reading to find out which modes are accessible without Prime.
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Playing Competitive CS2 Without Prime
CS2 Prime is an upgrade that unlocks extra features, including access to exclusive Prime lobbies and the new Premier game mode. It costs $14.99 and is available through the CS2 Steam store or in-game. One of the key benefits is that Prime players are less likely to encounter hackers due to Prime-only matchmaking. But what about competitive play without Prime?
The short answer is that you can still play the traditional competitive mode without Prime, but there are a few limitations:
1. While you’ll have access to the standard competitive matches, you won’t be able to earn a skill group rank, which is a core part of the CS2 experience. So, even if you perform well, you won’t have a rank to display.
2. The Premier game mode, which was introduced with CS2, remains locked behind Prime. This means non-Prime players are limited to only the standard competitive mode and won’t get the full ranked experience that Prime players enjoy.
3. If you’re using a new Steam account to play CS2, you won’t have instant access to competitive matches. You’ll need to reach a certain level by playing other game modes, like Deathmatch, before you can join competitive matches. This restriction is in place to prevent new, untrusted accounts from jumping straight into competitive play.
How to Play CS2 Competitive Without Prime?
If you are new to CS2 and don’t know anything about the game, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here is a complete step-by-step guide on how to play competitive CS2 without purchasing Prime.
- Step 1: Launch CS2.
- Step 2: Click the “Play” button from the home screen.
- Step 3: Complete the “Training Day” if you are playing from a fresh account.
- Step 4: Click “Matchmaking” and play Deathmatch until competitive is available.
- Step 5: Click “Matchmaking” and “Competitive” once it gets unlocked.
- Step 6: Select the maps you wish to play on.
- Step 7: Click “GO” to start finding a match.
- Step 8: Accept the match once the game finds one for you and enjoy.
[RELEVANT: CS2 Ranking System Explained]
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Conclusion
You can play the regular competitive mode in CS2 without Prime, but some restrictions apply. The Premier game mode remains locked, and you won’t be able to earn a skill group rank from your matches.
