Counter-Strike: Global Offense was released on August 21, 2012. Since that day, gamers have been refining their skills in order to dominate each other in this FPS multiplayer game.
While the game has inspired many players to learn how to stream on Twitch, it takes hard work and dedication to climb to the top percentage of players who reach the professional level. If you want to be a pro CS:GO player, you must take every opportunity to improve your game and prove yourself in the rankings.
What You Need to Go Pro
The most important aspect of becoming a pro-gamer is to have the right mindset. Here are some qualities that esports teams look for when recruiting new members:
- Excellent communication – you and your squad will need to have strong communication skills in order to beat other teams. Practice shot-calling to learn how to pass important game info to the rest of your team.
- Equipment Knowledge – knowing the best weapons to use in each scenario will teach you to move efficiently through the map as you destroy all of your opponents.
- Game Knowledge – you must have a full understanding of all aspects of the game, including reading the map, and a good understanding of the map in general.
- Cool head – if you or a squadmate dies, don’t tilt mentally. Learn from your mistakes and learn to not be toxic.
Steps to Become a Professional CS:GO Player
Here are several ways that you can work toward becoming a pro CS:GO player:
- Hire a Professional Coach
- Rank Yourself Up
- Network with Other Players
- Reach Out to Team Managers
- Upgrade Your Equipment
- Join Tournaments
- Develop Esport Athlete Habits
Hire a Professional Coach
Whether you are struggling to get over a hump or you just want an extra boost to keep you going, hiring a professional CS:GO coach can help tremendously. A good coach will watch your gameplay and give you actional advice on how to improve overall.
A highly skilled coach will point out any bad habits you’ve made, help you see the game from new angles, and work with you to help you meet your goals and win the game more often. When you hire a coach, you will typically improve your game much faster, allowing you to take leaps in your growth and pass other players who are also working toward becoming professional players.
You can find good CS:GO coaches at the following:
- Gamer Sensei – their collection of coaches must meet a rigorous 5 step training program.
- Fiverr – find a freelance Counter-Strike: Global Offense coach on Fiverr for an affordable price.
Rank Yourself Up
Stay focused on ranking up in your division. Give yourself milestones to reach and look for ways to improve your gaming skill in due time. As you rank, you will be put into more competitive games with higher-skilled players. Try to forge strong connections with some of those who are just as determined to rank up as you are. You may be able to help each other along in your journeys.
Watch pro streamers, practice new techniques, and keep up to date with any new game patches to give you the competitive edge you need to outdo your competitors. While being at a higher rank isn’t a guarantee that you will be picked up by a pro team, it will improve your chances.
Network with Other Players
Being professional, kind, and humble when dealing with others in the industry will take you a long way. People will be more likely to introduce you to people who may help you find your spot on a team.
Find a team to play with frequently so that you can get used to learning how to communicate with others and work as a team. Work hard to grow together.
Reach out to Team Managers
Once you reach a high rank, reach out to team managers to ask them questions about their selections process. Be courteous and respectful. Many managers receive many emails from players and won’t respond to most inquiries.
Be clear about what you are asking and don’t ask for any specific favors, just information. If someone writes you back, thank them for their time.
Upgrade Your Equipment
While you may not need the best equipment, upgrading your mouse, keyboard, and monitor may help you improve your game overall. If you are using older or cheap equipment, your movements may not track well or you may be missing out on important visuals.
Save up to purchase these items or request them as gifts for your birthday or holidays. Each piece can make a huge difference in your overall gameplay. Here are a few of our suggestions:
Best CS:GO Mouse
When looking for the best League of Legends mouse, you should keep in mind the impotence of the weight, grip, shape of the mouse as well as the effectivity of the buttons and the sensor. Here are three great mice that are often used by professional League players:
Logitech G Pro Wireless
- Pro Grade Performance
- Hero 16K Sensor
- Fast Rate Connection
Razer DeathAdder Elite
- 20K DPI Sensor
- Super Fast Switches
- Drag Free Cord
SteelSeries Rival
- Trigger buttons
- Comfortable
- High Performance
It is also worth looking into getting a good mousepad like the Corsair Gaming MM300.
Best CS:GO Keyboard
When it comes to the best League of Legends keyboard, you will need to find a mechanical unit that allows you to key bind and has a super-fast reaction speed. The keyboard will need to allow you to execute complex combos so that you can take every advantage over your opponent. Here are three great keyboards:
Corsair K95
- Six Macro Keys
- Proven Reliability
- Customizable Lighting
HyperX Alloy Elite
- Durable and Stable
- 8 Gaming Keycaps
- Macro Customization
SteelSeries Apex
- Adjustable Switches
- Magnetic Wrist Rest
- OLED Smart Display
Best CS:GO Monitor
When browsing the best League of Legends monitors, look into resolution and frame rate. The more visual information you can receive at a fast rate, the better you will become at the game. A faster frame rate can give you an extra moment’s notice and make all the difference. Here are three great monitors:
BenQ Zowie XL2730
- 144Hz Refresh Rate
- Low Blue Light
- Pro Gaming Display
ASUS ROG PG279Q
- 165Hz Refresh Rate
- Bezel Design
- NVIDIA G Sync
Acer Predator XB1
- 144Hz Refresh Rate
- High resolution
- TN Technology
Join Tournaments
Joining tournaments is pivotal for potentially becoming an esports athlete. Competing with others is a good way to see just how skilled you truly are and what you need to work on overall. Look for tournaments through your high school or university or see if you can start one.
Alternatively, look for online tournaments that have a ranking system. Record your gameplay if you can so that you can go over the footage and see how you can improve in future games. When you are able, join tournaments that may let you be seen by professionals in the industry.
Develop Esport Athlete Habits
There are many habits that professional esports players have had to learn. One of the best ways of becoming an athlete is to act like one. Here are a few things you will need to do:
- Practice daily – most pro gamers practice their game on a daily basis. This will include practicing specific skills, working with a squad to improve overall, and general gameplay.
- Learn how to lose – raging after every loss will only waste energy and focus. If you become rattled, you won’t perform as well on your next match.
- Watch pro streams and matches – one of the best ways to know how the pros operate is to watch them in practice. Look for streamers who talk through their actions so that you can learn their thought process.
- Learn everything you can about the game – this includes keeping up to date with balance changes, new content, and patch notes. Learn the best (and worst) strategies and how to maximize that information to its potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CS:GO Hard to Learn?
While ranking will become more challenging as you progress, the concept and basic gameplay are easy to pick up. You will need to continually practice and learn new strategies and understand each of the specialists to stay competitive to potentially become one of the best players.
How Much Do CS:GO Pro Players Make?
Players who manage to become professional CS:GO players can earn in a variety of ways. Most will earn a base salary of $1,000-$5,000 per month with added benefits, though top players can earn substantially more with the right sponsors. Many professionals also have a successful stream or YouTube channel as well.
How Long Does it Take to Get Good at CS:GO?
With the right focus, a new player will begin to understand the game enough to be decent in about a week’s time. To become really skilled, however, most players play for at least a year, working hard to learn all of the aspects of the game and improving your reflex response. This time may be less if the gamer has played a similar game in the past.
What Makes a Good CS:GO Player?
There are several things a player must learn in order to be considered good. These will include understanding the map, strong communication skills, quick decision making, and keeping a level head. When these are mastered, a good player could potentially go pro.
Luci
Luci is a novelist, freelance writer, and active blogger. A journalist at heart, she loves nothing more than interviewing the outliers of the gaming community who are blazing a trail with entertaining original content. When she’s not penning an article, coffee in hand, she can be found gearing her shieldmaiden or playing with her son at the beach.