CS2 game modes and maps

A CS2 server can play any of Valve’s game modes on any map that supports it. On SLASHPLAY you switch both from the Game-specific tab, without typing a command. This page explains the modes, the two places you can switch them, and everything in the Maps panel.

Both panels need a Live server and the Control servers permission.

How modes work in CS2

CS2 decides the mode from a few server settings (game_type, game_mode, and for some modes sv_game_mode_flags or sv_skirmish_id). They only take effect when a map loads. That’s why every mode switch on SLASHPLAY reloads a map, and why players get a short reconnect.

A new server starts in Competitive on de_dust2.

Every game mode

The mode lists in Quick actions and Maps show these, in these groups:

Group	Mode	What it is
Classic	Casual	Relaxed bomb and hostage rounds with bigger teams and friendly fire off.
	Competitive	Full 5v5 matchmaking rules, a long match with halftime. A new server starts in this mode.
	Wingman (2v2)	Small 2v2 matches on Wingman maps.
	Training Day	CS2’s mode for new players: everyone plays as a Terrorist against bots that only carry pistols and SMGs, over 12 rounds. The bots’ plan is made for Dust II.
Gun Game	Arms Race	Each kill upgrades your weapon; first to finish the ladder wins. Uses Arms Race maps.
	Demolition	Bomb rounds with a set weapon progression.
	Deathmatch	Instant respawns, score by kills.
	Deathmatch (Team vs Team)	Deathmatch where your team scores together. The first team to 100 points wins.
	Deathmatch (Free For All)	Everyone against everyone.
Other	Custom	For community maps with their own rules: weapons placed in the map can be picked up, and the map ends after 5 minutes.

Switch mode from Quick actions

Use this when you want to keep the map and change the mode.

Steps

1. Open Game-specific → Quick actions. At the top, under Map and mode, you see the Current map.

2. Pick a mode from the list.

3. Click Switch mode, then Switch and reload in the confirmation.

   

The server reloads the current map in the new mode. If you’re on a Workshop map, it reloads that Workshop map.

The Maps panel

Open Game-specific → Maps. From top to bottom:

Game mode

A mode picker that starts on Keep the current mode. Leave it there and every map you launch below opens in the mode the server is already in. Pick a mode and every map you launch switches to it on the way. Under the picker, a line tells you which of the two will happen.

Play a Workshop Map

A box where you paste a Steam Workshop link or id and click Fetch. There’s also a browse the CS2 Workshop → link. This is covered step by step in Workshop maps.

Your Saved Maps

Workshop maps your team has saved. It’s a team library: everyone on the team sees the same maps, on any CS2 server. Click a tile to launch it, or Remove to take it out of the library. This row only shows up once your team has saved a map.

Community Favourites

A hand-picked row of popular Workshop maps, the same for everyone. Click to launch, or Save to copy one into your team library (it then shows Saved). The row only appears when there are favourites to show.

Official Maps

Valve’s maps, as picture tiles:

Tile	Map id
Dust II	de_dust2
Mirage	de_mirage
Inferno	de_inferno
Nuke	de_nuke
Overpass	de_overpass
Ancient	de_ancient
Anubis	de_anubis
Vertigo	de_vertigo
Train	de_train
Office	cs_office
Italy	cs_italy
Baggage	ar_baggage
Shoots	ar_shoots

Baggage and Shoots are Arms Race maps, so pair them with the Arms Race mode.

Clicking any tile launches that map right away: the tile flashes Launching… and the server changes level. Official maps load with changelevel, Workshop maps with host_workshop_map.

Change map from Quick actions

The top of Game-specific → Quick actions has the official maps in one row of small pictures: click one and it loads, in the current mode. Workshop maps beside it opens the Maps panel. See Quick actions.

What sticks after a stop

• The map sticks. The server remembers the last map you loaded (official or Workshop), and a restore boots straight onto it.
• The mode doesn’t. After a restart or restore, the server boots in its default mode again. If you always play the same mode, set it in Launch options so every boot starts there.

Troubleshooting

I launched a map but the mode didn’t change. The Maps picker was on Keep the current mode. Pick a mode first, then click the map.

The map loaded but the mode feels wrong (no respawns, wrong weapons). That map may not support the mode. Arms Race needs Arms Race maps, Wingman needs Wingman maps. Try a map made for the mode.

Tiles do nothing. The server must be live and you need Control servers. Check the Console tab for the command and any error.

Saved maps are missing, or I see a different set. The library belongs to a team, not to a server. If you’re a member of several teams, the library you see may be another of your teams’ libraries rather than the one that owns this server. Anyone on the team can save the map again with Save.

Related

• Practice mode
• Workshop maps
• Quick actions
• Launch options
• Console commands