CS:GO, Secrets to Consistency

Consistency in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is a problem a lot of people can’t seem to be able to overcome. Whilst it seems like it requires strict training and practice, it won’t take as much as you think. The only method of improving your gameplay isn’t just practising endlessly, but simply playing!

Part 1: Balancing your practice

Sitting around on Deathmatch all day does nothing but improve your aim, and you can’t aim duel all the time, you need a lot of game sense. You’ll only be developing this kind of knowledge by playing and getting to understand the maps in more depth than before. Playing Deathmatch servers such as Headshot Only ones is extremely useful for all-around good habits, such as keeping your crosshair at head level, having decent crosshair placement, and learning when spraying is a good idea.

However, Deathmatch doesn’t fix everything, and the community recognises that. Retake servers are good for everyone, learning how to clear a site effectively, and defending it too! These kind of servers can also be useful for players such as entry fraggers, being able to snap to the first person you see, opening up for the retake. This would be similar on T side in normal competitive play, getting the opening frag when taking the site from the Counter Terrorists.

Part 2: Knowing when you should take a break

Believe it or not, another good way to help your consistency is to NOT play. This applies to many other games such as League of Legends for example. Any decent player will tell you to not play a game when you’re on “tilt”, meaning don’t play when you’re not in the right mental state. If you enter the game with the mindset that you’re going to underperform, or you’re angry from poor performance last game, whether it be because of yourself or your teammates' performance, then you’re bound to bring yourself a loss. While you may feel that you need to grind it out, this will do nothing but bring yourself more pain.

You can stop yourself from being tilted by finding the right kind of teammates. The right people with you can help you improve your gameplay dramatically, and can help you keep up the perfect mindset. If you’re with a bunch of teammates who are talking down to each other, it’s not going to end well. Negativity in Counter-Strike will lead to ultimately nothing but less frags and poorer performance from players. If it’s a game of matchmaking, block communication with these people and carry on! If it’s with people you’re with, maybe they’re just not as dedicated to the game as you, and you might want to talk it out with them. Sort out any issues you have between each other, and try to bring a more positive attitude to any future games you play together.

Part 3: Improving your map pool

Sometimes the map you want to play isn’t always the map you’re best at. Open up your mind to maps you don’t know as well, and try to perfect them like you do your other map(s). For example, let’s say you don’t know Train very well, but you’re an expert on Cache. Why not spend a little bit of your spare time learning a few smokes or pop flashes on Train? Try them out in a PUG or two to see if they’re actually useful. This doesn’t need strict practice, just a few that you can remember. Although this doesn’t mean you can’t spend a lot more time practising if you really wish. Learning the ins and outs of every single map is the most ideal thing for being consistent, as you can use your smarts to outplay opponents due to your extensive knowledge of the map.

However this most likely won’t be the case, even in professional play, hence the map veto system. Find a cycle of maps you like, and practice them. Do this by trying out new pop flashes and smokes every time you play them, but make sure it’s an actual game! A lot of cool grenades you learn offline aren’t really all that useful once you get into game, maybe for a one off or a certain situation however, so keep them in the back of your head!

Finally, importantly, the conclusion: Have fun!

This final section kind of ties in with Part 2, but it’s very simple. You’re not going to be consistent if you aren’t enjoying yourself! Chances are, you’re not a professional, and there’s no need to play the game for 12 hours a day. If you’re really feeling the game, hop on! Being in the mood for the game and having fun whilst you play is probably the most important aspect, as entering the game bored and hoping to find entertainment in Counter Strike might not be the best thing for your performance. You’ll start playing poorly, and might even lose interest in the game for a while.

James Broughton