CS2: Complete Economy Guide
Economy management is crucial in Counter-Strike 2. Understanding when to buy, save, or force can be the difference between winning and losing. This guide covers all aspects of CS2's economic system.
Money System Basics
| Action | Money Reward | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Round Win (T) | $3,250 | Base reward for winning |
| Round Win (CT) | $3,250 | Base reward for winning |
| Round Loss | $1,400-$3,400 | Increases with consecutive losses |
| Bomb Plant | $800 | All T players receive this |
| Bomb Defuse | $300 | Only the defuser |
| Kill Reward | $300-$900 | Varies by weapon |
Loss Bonus System
- 1st Loss: $1,400
- 2nd Loss: $1,900
- 3rd Loss: $2,400
- 4th Loss: $2,900
- 5th+ Loss: $3,400 (max)
Important: Loss bonus resets to $1,400 after winning a round. Plan your economy around this.
Buy Round Types
Full Buy ($4,000-$6,000)
🔫 T-Side Full Buy
Primary: AK-47 ($2,700)
Armor: Kevlar + Helmet ($1,000)
Utility: Smoke, 2 Flashes, Molotov ($1,000)
Total: $4,700
🛡️ CT-Side Full Buy
Primary: M4A4/M4A1-S ($3,100)
Armor: Kevlar + Helmet ($1,000)
Utility: Smoke, Flash, Incendiary ($900)
Total: $5,000
Eco Round ($0-$2,000)
Save money for next round:
- Pistol Only: No armor, no utility
- Light Buy: Armor ($650) + upgraded pistol ($500-$700)
- Stack Strategy: All players buy together on one site
Force Buy ($2,500-$3,500)
Buy with limited funds:
- SMG + Armor: MP9/MAC-10 + Kevlar
- Shotgun: Nova/MAG-7 for close range
- Deagle + Utility: High-risk, high-reward
Buy Strategy by Round
Pistol Round (Round 1)
| Side | Common Buys | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| T-Side | Armor ($650) OR Upgraded Pistol + Utility | Rush one site with numbers advantage |
| CT-Side | Defuse Kit ($400) + Utility OR Armor | Play default positions, use utility |
Post-Pistol Rounds (Rounds 2-3)
If you won pistol:
- Round 2: SMG buy (MP9/MP7) for kill bonus ($600)
- Round 3: Full buy if won R2, eco if lost
If you lost pistol:
- Round 2: Full eco (save all money)
- Round 3: Full buy with saved money
Advanced Economy Concepts
Economy Breaking
Force opponents into bad economic situations:
- Plant Bomb: Always try to plant for $800 bonus
- Kill Enemies: Make them rebuy expensive weapons
- Damage Economy: Force multiple eco rounds
- Reset Loss Bonus: Win one round to reset their streak
Team Economy Coordination
- Call Buys: IGL decides when team buys or saves
- Drop Weapons: Players with more money buy for teammates
- Synchronized Saves: All players save together
- Utility Distribution: Ensure all players have essential nades
Weapon Value Management
| Weapon | Buy Price | Sell Value | Keep or Drop? |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK-47 | $2,700 | $1,350 | Always keep/save |
| M4A4/M4A1-S | $3,100 | $1,550 | Always keep/save |
| AWP | $4,750 | $2,375 | Critical to save |
| Famas/Galil | $2,050/$1,800 | ~$1,000 | Can drop if needed |
Pro Tip: If you're about to lose a round, drop your weapon in a safe spot for teammates to save. This preserves $2,000+ in value.
Kill Reward by Weapon
| Weapon Type | Kill Reward | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Rifles | $300 | AK-47, M4A4, M4A1-S |
| SMGs | $600 | MP9, MP7, UMP-45 |
| Shotguns | $900 | Nova, XM1014, MAG-7 |
| Pistols | $300 | Glock, USP-S, P250 |
| AWP | $100 | AWP |
| Knife | $1,500 | Knife |
Common Economy Mistakes
| Mistake | Why It's Bad | How to Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Solo Force Buy | Team has no coordination | Always buy/save as a team |
| Not Planting Bomb | Lose $800 per player | Always attempt plant, even if losing |
| Buying Every Round | Never have full buy money | Learn when to eco |
| Not Saving Weapons | Waste $2,000+ in value | Hide/drop weapons when losing |
| Ignoring Team Economy | Can't coordinate buys | Check teammates' money before buying |
Master economy and always have the advantage. Host your CS2 server with Supercraft for custom economy settings and practice modes.