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CS2 FACEIT – What Is It? | Complete Guide and How to Download

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For most CS2 players, reaching the promised lands of 25k+ in Premier is the dream. But there are plenty out there that have abandoned standard CS2 matchmaking, for a variety of different reasons. Most of these players move over to FACEIT in CS2. It’s a name you might’ve heard before, but are unaware of what it is. Read on to find out more if this sounds like you.


What Is FACEIT in CS2?

CS2 FACEIT

Credit: Daniel Morris

FACEIT is a platform that hosts CS2 matches, allowing players to matchmake on private servers for a smoother experience. This includes its own ranking system, which has a much higher skill ceiling than the standard CS2 ranks.

In CS2 FACEIT is probably the best ranking system around. It works on a simple Level 1-10 scale, with Level 10 being on par with CS Major winners like s1mple and dev1ce. Due to FACEIT’s level of competition, it’s highly recommended to go into it as a team of five, so you can communicate properly with your teammates.

The top teams use FACEIT to scout up-and-coming players. FACEIT hosts open tournaments for teams to join, with those who rise to the top being watched by the best teams. If you think you’re a Pro-level CS2 player, and have just never been noticed, these tournaments are your route into professional play. Teams can’t risk missing the next big thing, so keep their eyes on CS2 FACEIT tournaments. These tournaments often have cash prizes, so if you have a team, they’re worth trying.

We’re going to be honest – FACEIT is brutal for beginners. Players should definitely get better at Counter-Strike before attempting to join FACEIT.


Why Should I Use FACEIT in CS2?

CS2 FACEIT

Credit: Daniel Morris

There are two big reasons that you should play CS2 FACEIT instead of normal matchmaking. To start, FACEIT uses a different anti-cheat to standard CS2 matchmaking. This is a kernel-level anti-cheat, meaning you avoid this issue with CS2 FACEIT. A complaint often leveled at CS2 is that VAC lets too many cheaters slip through the cracks. No longer though, as FACEIT’s anti-cheat is much more in-depth for CS2.

The next is the level of competition. Are you sick of losing games while going 30:12? Have you had enough of teammates not using their microphones. With FACEIT in CS2, these problems are much less prevalent. Even in the lower ranks, you’ll usually find there is more communication, and more competent teammates in general. If you’re sick of playing with bots in Premier, FACEIT in CS2 can be the answer to your problems.


How To Download CS2 FACEIT

CS2 FACEIT

Credit: FACEIT

FACEIT in CS2 is easy to get up and running. Simply create an account on the FACEIT website, and download the client. You must first link your FACEIT account to your Steam account. With this done, you’ll be able to begin a party from the client. Then, you’ll be matched up against another team and be connected to CS2. It’s an extremely similar process to standard matchmaking, only done in another client. The only real negative is that it can take a bit longer to find a FACEIT game than a normal CS2 competitive match, but this is largely a non-issue.

Ultimately, FACEIT won’t be perfect for every CS2 player. But if you’re serious about being the best you can be on the server, challenging yourself on FACEIT is an absolute necessity.


CS2 FACEIT FAQs

Why do so many pros use FACEIT CS2 matchmaking?

Pros use FACEIT CS2 matchmaking due to the higher skill ceiling available. Global Elite, the highest map rank in CS2, equates from anywhere FACEIT level 6-10. It makes sense that pro players would want to test themselves at the highest level possible, and only FACEIT allows for that. It doesn’t stop there though – the ELO system in FACEIT means that even the level 10s will be separated further, meaning the best will only play the best.

The level of cheating in CS2 contributes to this, too. Premier Mode is infested with cheaters at the moment, meaning FACEIT in CS2 is the next-best option when looking for a competitive experience.

Is FACEIT free to use?

It depends on how many features you want. The matchmaking system is completely free to use for all players. However, if you want to be able to see your ELO, as well as be able to block maps from the map pool, there’s a premium FACEIT service that is available for a small monthly fee. This also includes Missions that you can complete, earning you real prizes just by playing CS2. We think it’s worth the upgrade.

Is there any big differences on FACEIT in CS2?

The main difference you will notice is at the beginning of every match. In CS2, starting on T or CT side can be a massive advantage or disadvantage depending on the map. In normal matchmaking, this is totally random but can determine the outcome of the entire game. Not in FACEIT. Here, both teams take part in a knife round. The winner of the knife round gets to pick what side they begin on, making it a much fairer playing field overall. Another huge difference is that when you have a leaver, they’ll be replaced by a bot.

Does CS2 FACEIT have many cheaters?

No. Before you play, FACEIT requires you to have its own anti-cheat software installed that detects any and all hacks in-game. It’s slightly more intrusive than VAC, but is definitely more effective at detecting cheaters. Because of this, it’s rare that you’ll encounter a cheater in FACEIT CS2 matches. Remember to launch it before you launch CS2. Otherwise, you’ll have to relaunch your game when you open the anti-cheat.

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