Counter-Strike is a team-based game, and role distribution is crucial in enhancing team efficiency. Unlike in other competitive FPS games, Counter-Strike developers did not enforce specific roles on players. Everyone has the same amount of health and abilities (or… lack of). This leads to flexibility on the one hand and a requirement of a higher game understanding on the other. In this article, CS.MONEY Blog will explain all CS:GO roles so you won’t feel lost in MMs or while watching esports.
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IGL/Captain/Shot Caller
Let’s start with perhaps the most important role in CS:GO. An Arabic saying states, “An army of sheep led by a lion can defeat an army of lions led by a sheep.” Counter-Strike is a game about adaptability and making right decisions in extremely limited time. Thus, correct shot calling plays a crucial role in the team’s success.
Usually, the in-game leader (IGL) has lower statistics compared to other players, but it’s fair since they deal with a vast amount of information every second. First, they must clearly understand the opponent’s economic situation and compare it with their own. Should they call for an eco round? Or a force buy? What weapons might the enemy have? How will they play based on that? And what round will your team play? The Captain or IGL answers all these questions before the round starts, but their role goes beyond that.
The Captain must manage their team in the middle of the round. Is there a critical timing approaching? Has there been a kill somewhere on the map? Is there an active enemy grenade launch? Has there been information about the enemy team’s rotation? IGLs must adapt instantly and change plans accordingly, and sometimes, a single correct or incorrect decision can determine whether you win or lose the round.
What IGLs Do?
- IGLs are very experienced players who manages the tasks of all teammates
- They know several round/match/game-winning tactics. Or at least simple ones, for starters.
- Captains feel what opponents can do, know how to read the game
- They do economy and count everyone’s cash, including the enemy team!
Entry Fragger
How often have you encountered situations in public matches when your IGL commands to Rush B, but no one wants to go first? Diving into the unknown is a unique skill and a special role. Entry fragger’s task (usually, it’s an attacking role) is to play aggressively, break through the opponent’s defence, and secure the first kill in the round to make it easier for your team. If you fail to get the first kill, your goal is to inflict as much damage as possible on the opponents so that your team can efficiently trade you.
To be a skilled entry fragger, you need impressive reflexes, great aim, and the knowledge of all the popular positions where opponents may be hiding. Entry-fragging might bring you mid statistics and KDA, but it leads your team to victory (if you deliver as well). You need a sense of self-sacrifice to say “Guys, I’m done. You take it from here.”
What Entry Fraggers Do?
- Entry fraggers need outstanding aim. If you enter a site and miss your shots, you will leave your team outnumbered.
- Also, quick reaction and reflexes. Even if you know where one opponent is, there may be a second nearby.
- Knowing timings and exit points is very important, and you also need to ask your supports to help you with exits.
Anchor
If an Entry Fragger plays a crucial role in the Attack, Anchors play a similar role in the Defence. The Anchor is the first person to encounter the enemy’s attack on the bomb site. Their task is to completely stop the rush or deal as much damage to the opponent as possible, delaying their progress. If five players rush onto your bomb site, and you manage to get three kills, you have done an outstanding job as an Anchor.
if you want to be an excellent Anchor player, you need nerves of steel, a decent aim, and the ability to distinguish fakes from real threats. After all, you don’t want to force your team to rotate around the map due to misinformation.
However, both Entry Fraggers and Anchors cannot fully unleash their effectiveness without Supports.
What Anchors Do?
- They have nerves of steel. You will have a task and you must stick to it until a critical situation or the captain’s command comes.
- Anchors distinguish fakes. It helps not to give too much information and counter lurkers.
- They also need to read and give information to the IGL and the whole team.
Support Player
No, you won’t be buying wards and placing them around the map here. Nevertheless, Support Players in Counter-Strike are crucial. Their contribution to victory could be significant, vital, game-changing. Remeber how we talked about the Rush B situation above? Imagine your Entry Fragger jumps in with their rifle. If they simply run out screaming, they’ll get a bullet in the head, and you’re most likely finished. It’s much better when they enter the bombsite, for example, with a flashbang pop. And if there’s also a well-timed smoke grenade, it’s almost in the bag! Entry fragger’s effectiveness (and chances of survival) will be significantly increased.
The same applies to the Defence. One successful Molotov, smoke, or flashbang can halt an enemy attack and greatly assist your Anchor player. However, it’s not just about throwing grenades. A great Support can trade their entry fragger/anchor, help the sniper hold a position, and be versatile overall.
To be a great support player, you need to know all the nade throws and have a good sense of the game. You will be in demand everywhere, and your versatility is a big plus. And, of course, having a good aim goes without saying.
What Supports Do in CS:GO?
- First of all, you need to help all your other teammates.
- You need to know most nade throws on most maps: smokes, fires, flashbangs. Everywhere.
- Help your teammates fulfil their jobs: assist snipers or entry-fraggers, bait for kills, etc.
- Knowing maps and timings to be always in the right place and following the mini-map.
- Help your IGL with economics and tactics.
Sniper/AWPer
Since Counter-Strike features a weapon like AWP (it kills with one shot), it was logical to introduce a special role for players who excel at handling sniper rifles. CS maps are usually designed to have long open spaces, and Snipers will most effectively cover them.
At the same time, Snipers may have a very flexible play style. You can be an extremely aggressive player who capitalizes on your deadly weapon’s advantages, or you can play it safe and secure the chances of your team’s strategy.
To be a great sniper, you will need phenomenal aim and reaction, as well as the coldest blood. Often, opponents will do everything possible to reduce your effectiveness and catch you off guard. The ability to accurately assess the situation, knowing when to engage in a firefight and when to retreat, is also crucial.
What Snipers Do In CS:GO?
- Shoots very well. Accurate, quick, ruthless. Otherwise, you better take a different role.
- Composure is your main attribute. Keep your head cool while waiting, outplaying and striking. Leave emotional things for later.
- Style Flexibility: sometimes you have to Defend and sit deeper, sometimes you have to flick point-blank, like KennyS in his best years.
Lurker
Finally, we can’t talk about roles in CS:GO without mentioning the most controversial role in the game, yet the most necessary one. Some find it highly unpleasant, some find fun. Lurkers often play away from their team. When your team attacks bombsite A, as a lurker, you will be playing on bombsite B. Why? Because lurkers are a crucial source of information for the team. They gather information about enemy movements and can be that sneaky bois who try to catch enemies from the back during their rotation. In general, lurkers are like spies, saboteurs.
To be a great lurker, you need to have exceptional game sense. Knowing timings and movement patterns will also give you a huge advantage. Knowing how to get under opponents’ skin will help a lot, too.
What Lurkers Do?
- Understands what is happening on the map and flanks enemies, waiting for a perfect moment.
- Knows timings and maps perfectly to flank successfully and predict the opposing team’s actions. And a lot of patience.
- Communicates. You have to give minimal yet useful information, while distinguishing fakes.
We also recommend reading our separate guide about how to play as Lurker in CS:GO.
Conclusion: What Role to Choose in CS:GO?
Counter-Strike’s player roles developed in an evolutionary way ever since the first days. And what we have now is considered the most effective. Maybe in the future the situation will change, and new roles will appear. But if you want to chose your CS:GO role correctly, think about what you would be interested in doing and what are your strengths. Stick with them and try something new. When you find what you do best and, more importantly, enjoy, just study what the best players do, watch demos and you will succeed!
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