Gain exceptional knowledge on Counter Strike 2 Economy with our guide. Here you will learn about the best ways to get money in CS2 and kill rewards, receive the working economy strategy, and a bunch of useful CS2 economy tips.
4.9Basic of CS2 Economy
In Counter Strike 2, Economy is a term that is used to refer to anything that is connected to money in a CS2 match. External transactions or skins market do not count. So, when we speak about the CS2 economy, we refer to money flow in a match.
In every match, each new round allows you to buy weapons and utility in the game to ensure that you are fully prepared to complete your objectives successfully. Each round ends with objective completion, and you receive money to spend on new weapons and essentials when the new round starts.
But how to get money in CS2 to be “rich” and be able to buy everything you need to win? There are three sources of income that affect the amount of money you get at the end of the round:
- Kills;
- Round Outcome (Win or Lose);
- Plant and Defuse.
CS2 Kill Rewards
If you think that all it takes to earn dollars in CS2 is just securing kills, you are only partially right. The amount paid for the kill depends on the type of weapon used to kill the target, and it varies from $100 to $1500. For instance, if you use a basic assault rifle to kill an enemy, you can get around $300. However, a high-powered bolt-action sniper rifle (AWP) will grant you only $100.
The amount of money you get for making kills with a certain weapon:
| Weapon | Money for Kills |
|---|---|
| Zeus x27 | $100 |
| AWP | $100 |
| Pistols | $300 |
| P90 | $300 |
| Assault Rifles & Machine Guns | $300 |
| Grenades | $300 |
| Submachine Guns (except P90) | $600 |
| XM1014 | $600 |
| Shotguns (except XM1014) | $900 |
| Knife | $1500 |
As you can see, the better weapon you have, the less money you’ll get. The reason is simple: it’s much easier to get kills with better weapon, thus they are less valued.
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Round End
The second factor influencing the CS2 economy is the round outcome. When your team wins a round, you receive a bonus of $3250, while even a loss provides some funds, starting at $1400 for the first lost round, with an additional $500 for loss streak each consecutive loss up to a maximum of $3400.
Additionally, if you’re playing as Terrorists, a win with a successful explosion brings in $3500, and on the Counter-Terrorist side, a successful defuse yields the same amount. Keep in mind that this is team money, which is further supplemented by your personal earnings from kills.
Bomb Plants
Planting the bomb in CS2 rewards the planter with an extra $300, and if your team loses the round after the bomb has been planted, everyone on the team receives an additional $800. This means that opting to plant the bomb on rounds where your team has invested in lower-tier weaponry can provide a significant economic boost.
Additionally, if you die as a CS2 terrorist after the official round timer ends and before the bomb is planted, you’ll receive $0 in the following round, so sometimes it’s more beneficial to die before the timer runs out. Conversely, if you’re playing on the CT side and you know an enemy terrorist is trying to save their weapons, pushing for a kill after the timer expires can often be a smart strategy.
CS2 Economy Strategies
In competitive CS, there are several common economic terms that every player should be familiar with. Although many of these terms are self-explanatory, we’ll break down the ideas behind each one.
A key point to remember is that a complete buy including weapons, armor, and grenades — costs roughly $5000 for Terrorists and about $6000 for Counter-Terrorists. While it’s not necessary to purchase a full set of grenades every round, it’s useful to know the ideal spending target. Additionally, since April 2024, players can see the minimum amount of money they’re guaranteed for the next round, which helps simplify managing the in-game economy.
Full Buy Rounds
This is precisely the purpose of saving money in rounds. A full buy means equipping yourself with everything: a rifle, all the necessary utility, and complete armor. For CTs, that usually also involves purchasing a defuse kit.
Force Buy
When times become desperate, desperate times demand desperate measures. Wholeheartedly Force Buy committing to a full purchase, regardless of your current financial position, a force buy entails. For at any price, winning at the following round must become your greatest concern. It’s a high-return, high-risk move best executed with careful consideration
Half Buy or Semi Buy
As the name itself reveals, in Counter-Strike 2, half-buy is a combination of an eco and a full buy. It is a purchase when you have a little money but not enough for a rifle and a full armor. In a half-buy, you will have a combination of grenade and low-cost items such as an SMG, a shotgun, or a Galil or a Famas.
Half-buys are ideal when your team’s funds allow for more than just a couple of default pistols, yet aren’t sufficient for a complete loadout. When opting for a half-buy, it’s crucial not to deplete all your money, make sure you retain enough funds to execute a full buy in the following round.
Eco or Save Rounds
A full eco, simply an “eco” in laymen terms, is not buying any items at all. It is played when your entire team is desperately out of cash and will have to save for the next one. In a full eco, one will have your default weapon, or, in extreme cases, one can have a minor upgrade to an inexpensive weapon such as a P250. Full ecos have notoriously low win potential. All one can hope for in a full eco is to sacrifice the current map in the hope of having enough cash for a full buy in the next one. For Terrorists, planting a bomb in the hope of earning a little extra cash is a wise move in most cases.
Anti-Eco or Farming Rounds
This tactic is played most frequently when your opponent team will most probably go into an eco, for instance, after a loss in a pistol round. An anti-eco buy involves buying cheap but reward-winning weapons like shotguns or SMGs, and then getting to make dollars out of opponents with cheap pistols.
But taking an anti-eco round can have a double-edged sword, and buying a lot in SMGs, for instance, when your opponent team ends up force buying can rob you of your weapon edge and make the round totally unpredictable. All such micro and chesslike moves and manipulations go a long way in making CS2 exciting in competitive gaming.
Hero Buy
A hero buy is a less common purchasing strategy in CS2 where one buying player splurges on top-tier weapons while the rest of the team holds onto their money. For instance, if one player is racking up kills and accumulating extra funds, they might opt to buy an AWP to single-handedly defend a site while their teammates save. In this case, that player becomes known as the “hero AWP.”
It’s crucial to understand that hero buys are rare for good reason. They carry a high risk, and a misstep can negatively affect your team’s economy factor for several rounds. Always coordinate with your team before deciding to go for a hero buy.
4.9CS2 Economy Tips
In this Counter Strike 2 Economy guide section, we’ve gathered tips for you and your team to help maintain a strong economy, making it easier to overcome your opponents.
Communicate With Your Team
Team coordination is by far the most crucial element in economy management in CS2. Always communicate with your teammates about what you plan to buy and when. Ideally, you and your team should be on the same page financially. But if your team isn’t willing to cooperate with you, it’s time to find one that does. Our Pro Players will easily help you win any game!
If you’re buying an AK-47 while the rest of your team can’t even afford an SMG, you’re severely harming your team’s economy.
Pay attention to what your team can afford before making your purchases, even if you have extra money. Keeping your spending in sync with your teammates will greatly improve your chances of winning the round. And if you realize you’ve made a mistake, don’t hesitate to sell your current weapons. CS2 gives you that option, so use it when needed.
Spend Your Money Wisely
You can boost your CS2 team’s economy individually by making smart, small decisions.
For example, consider that an AK can secure a kill with one headshot regardless of whether the enemy wears a helmet. So if you’re low on funds as a CT, think twice about spending on a helmet.
Similarly, instead of buying a defuse kit right away, ask your teammate if they already have one. If you’re both holding the same site, you can pick up their kit if they fall in battle.
Another case of smart spending is when you agree with your team to rush a particular area as CT during a half-buy round to surprise the Ts. Since you’ll be charging into a player of the enemy team, you might not need a full set of grenades—perhaps just a flashbang and a HE grenade will do, letting you skip the smoke and molotov from the purchase list.
Drop Weapons for Your Team
If you have extra money or weapons, always drop your weapons for teammates to help them save cash. If you’re short on cash for a particular purchase and notice a teammate who can afford it, don’t hesitate to call for a drop. In the end, your team’s economy is intertwined with yours, so supporting each other benefits everyone.
Avoid Buying Constantly
This behavior is most common in lesser high-rankers, but a few will buy out every single round. Regardless, frustration, lack of awareness, whatever, buying and not giving your economy a chance to re-equip will actually hurt your group in the long run.
To go full buy, to have enough to buy high-dollar rifles and a full utility, calculated financial choices must be made. Building an economy to go ecotemporarily can allow a full buy with less costly rifles and gear and, most times, a much more successful overall build than buying an SMG and a grenade out every single round. In CS2, full buys must be taken, and proper gear and utility will have a strong impact on the odds for success.
CS2 Economy FAQ
In this CS2 Economy guide section, we have compiled the most frequently asked questions about the CS2 economy.
How Does the Economy Work in CS2?
The economy in Counter-Strike 2 is built on earning game money through round wins, kills, and objectives, which then allows you to purchase powerful weapons, armor, and utility. Strategic spending is key: players must decide when to save, opt for a half-buy, or invest in a full buy based on their team’s financial situation. Effective communication and teamwork in managing purchases and sharing resources are crucial for maintaining a balanced economy throughout the match.
How to Earn Money in CS2?
In CS2, you earn money by winning rounds, securing kills, and completing objectives like bomb planting or defusing, with bonus payouts adding extra funds.
How Does the Money System Work in CS2?
The money system in CS2 is based on earning cash through round wins, kills, and completing objectives, which in turn determines your purchasing power for weapons, armor, and grenades. Strategic management of funds — deciding when to save, half-buy, or fully invest. These actions are crucial for maintaining a competitive edge throughout the match.
What Is an Eco Round in CS2?
An eco in CS2 is when a team economizes intentionally, choosing not to spend, not purchasing utility and weapons, in preparation for a full buy in a future round, even at a loss in a current one.
4.9All in all, Counter-Strike 2 Economy is a complex system, made of wise decisions and working strategies. When it comes to determining the way to success, stick to a strategy that works for you personally and that can bring results. In this guide, you’ve learned the basics of the CS 2 economy, received the best economy strategies and tips. Now you can practice these methods and start playing like a pro.
