The rank system in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) is an essential tool to ensure balanced and competitive matches. Every player aspires to reach the highest and most prestigious rank, but how exactly does this system work and how is your rank calculated?
CS:GO Ranks
CS:GO ranks allow us to quickly identify a player’s skill and experience level. These are the current ranks in the game:
- Silver I (S1)
- Silver II (S2)
- Silver III (S3)
- Silver IV (S4)
- Silver Elite (SE)
- Silver Elite Master (SEM)
- Gold Nova I (GN1)
- Gold Nova II (GN2)
- Gold Nova III (GN3)
- Gold Nova Master (GNM/GN4)
- Master Guardian I (MG/MG1)
- Master Guardian II (MG2)
- Master Guardian Elite (MGE)
- Distinguished Master Guardian (DMG)
- Legendary Eagle (LE)
- Legendary Eagle Master (LEM)
- Supreme Master First Class (Supreme)
- The Global Elite (Global)
Before being assigned a rank, you need to win at least 10 matches. Once achieved, the game will show your skill rank.
How is the Rank Calculated?
CS:GO’s ranking system is based on an Elo rating system, similar to the one used in games like chess. However, the exact workings of this system in CS:GO remain somewhat mysterious, as Valve (the developers) haven’t revealed all the details. Despite this, there are some aspects we do know:
- Elo is calculated per round, not per match.
- The amount of Elo you win or lose depends on your Elo compared to the opposing team’s Elo.
- Your current skill rank is determined by your Elo score. Each rank corresponds to an Elo score range.
Players often believe there is a “safety margin” when ranking up, but this is a myth. In reality, if your Elo score falls below the threshold for a rank, you’ll immediately drop to the preceding rank.
It’s worth noting that, statistically, ranks Gold Nova II and III are the most common among CS:GO players. On the other hand, Global Elite is the most prestigious rank and only reached by a tiny 0.7% of the player base.
Good Luck in Your Rankeds!
If you’re new to CS:GO, don’t obsess over your rank at the start. The best way to improve is to practice, learn from your mistakes, and most importantly, enjoy the game. With time and dedication, you’ll surely reach the rank you desire. Good luck in your matches!