Wingman first saw the light of day during Operation Hydra as a temporary game mode. The mode’s smaller scale and faster pace was a hit among CS:GO players, leading Valve to give it a permanent spot in the game. Now, with the release of CS2 seeing the exclusion of several game modes and features, Wingman enjoyers have been left wondering whether this mode made the cut. Let’s find out!
Is Wingman Available In CS2?
The Wingman game mode is included in Counter-Strike 2. However, players will have to unlock it first before they can play it.
In order to unlock the Wingman game mode, you’ll have to fill in the progress bar visible beneath it. You can easily do so by completing matches in Casual or Deathmatch mode. While each match gives you different amounts of progress, you should be able to unlock the duo mode by playing a total of 5–7 Casual/Deathmatch games.
Is Wingman In CS2 Different From CS:GO?
While the core concepts that made Wingman fun in CS:GO remain preserved in CS2, the sequel does introduce changes that make the game mode slightly different. These include map overhauls, improved gameplay mechanics, and the new play-to-unlock feature.
If it has been a while since you last played the game mode in CS:GO and need a refresher for CS2, the Wingman game mode is a truncated version of the classic 5v5 setup, featuring teams consisting of two players contesting over a single bomb site.
The timer for this mode is also reduced to only 90 seconds, making the game less about executing napoleonic strategies and more about fast-paced, yet fun gameplay. Moreover, it also comes with a ranking system to keep your competitive CS spirit alive.
How To Rank Up In Wingman Mode?
Much like the Competitive ranking system, Wingman features a total of 18 skill groups, with Silver I being the lowest rank and The Global Elite being the highest rank. While the CS community knows little to nothing about Wingman’s ELO rating system (thanks to Valve’s secrecy), we do know that it’s calculated based on several factors, including your:
- Win/loss ratio
- Total number of rounds won
- Individual performance (kills, deaths, and assists)
- Current CS2 rank
- Teammates’ ranks
- Opponents’ ranks
- Server location
Based on this information, the best way to perform well in Wingman and, subsequently, rank up fast is to practice your aim duels and nade lineups, as the game mode is all about out-aiming your opponent.
It’s generally advised to focus solely on eliminating the enemy players, and while you can use bomb plants as bait, planting the bomb shouldn’t be your priority. Your general strategy, therefore, should be to push as duos and effectively trade until both your enemies are eliminated.
It is important to note, however, that Wingman has a much lower player base than other game modes, such as Casual and Competitive. This often leads to high rank disparity between your team and the opponents. Now, whether this is a blessing or curse depends on your team’s performance, as defeating a higher-ranked team provides an immense boost to your rank, while consistently losing to them would slowly chip away your rank.
Conclusion
While not as popular and frequented as Casual, Competitive or Deathmatch, this 2v2 game modes inclusion in CS2 has been welcomed by the CS community, who prize it as the ideal way of enjoying a relaxed game of CS2 with your best buddy. If you found this article informative, make sure to check out these other CS2 articles from our team: