New CS:GO players often struggle with managing in-game economy. While you can win something interesting through giveaways, learning to make the most of your money each round is an essential skill. Follow this beginner's guide to understand buying mechanics, weapon costs, and smart eco strategies. You'll gain the knowledge needed to make the most of your funds.
The Basics
- CS:GO grants $800 at the start of each half in classic competitive mode.
- Kills award $300. The Terrorist who plants the bomb gets $300. Defusing the bomb or escaping with hostages awards $300.
- At the end of each round, both teams receive money based on their result: $3250 for winning and $1400 for losing.
- Losing consecutive rounds increases the bonus. The maximum loss bonus caps at $3400 after 5 straight losses.
- Any surviving players retain their equipment, while dead players must re-purchase weapons.
Understanding Costs
Weapon prices range from $200 for pistols up to $4750 for top rifles like the AWP. Armor costs $650 for helmets and $1000 for full sets. Flashbangs, grenades, defuse kits, etc. range from $200 to $400. Generally, spending full funds when winning and saving when losing is optimal.
The Key Concept - Economy
Managing economy is about maximizing opportunity versus risk each round. Going all-in to overwhelm enemies can work. But overspending may doom future rounds if you lose. Likewise, saving too often reduces chances for pivotal rounds. Learn to find the balance based on factors like opponent money and weapons.
When Losing - Save Smart
Don't re-purchase expensive guns after losing rounds. Stick to pistols, maybe light armor. This preserves funds for the next full-buy round. Spending over $2000 per round while losing leads to getting stuck saving for multiple rounds. Be patient and wait for the full buy.
When Winning - Spend Intelligently
Resist overspending if opponents are poor. For example, don't buy an AWP if the enemy will be saving. Focus on securing the advantage through numbers and positioning rather than fancy guns. Once it's match point, spam your best gear recklessly!
Eco Round Strategies
On eco rounds, avoid full-on rushes. Instead, go for sneaky flanks and wait for picks. On the rare eco round win, immediately re-purchase rather than saving. Don't give the advantage back.
The Force Buy
Force buying refers to spending excessively after a loss in hopes of catching opponents off guard. For example, dropping $4000+ on rifles and armor when you should save. Force buys are risky but can pay off if you get early kills. Just don't force buy every other round.
Damage Mitigation
When facing a force buy round, focus on damage control. Avoid getting aggressively picked. Protect your most expensive weapons like AWPs. Stick together to trade kills if rushed. With points dwindling, losing an anti-eco round can be devastating.
The Reset Round
If your team's economy gets broken, call for a reset. All players should save for a round with just pistols - no armor, nades, etc. The goal is to quickly lose while minimizing expenditure. This sets up a full buy round next. Resets align team economy.
Reading Opponents
Keep track of enemy purchases each round. Did they fully buy or force? What weapons do they favor? Understanding their spending habits lets you predict power spikes and weak rounds. Use this to decide when to spend aggressively versus conserving funds.
Patience and discipline are key. Avoid emotional reactions, like force buying out of frustration. Follow a structured economy plan across both halves. Consistent, calculated spending based on situation is the smartest long-term strategy. Pace yourself in the money marathon.