Roles

While other games have definite clear roles, more appropriately known as position (for example MOBA games, where you have specifical position for each player which in turn allow for strategical play), there is no clear role in CS : GO. Every top team in the CS Pro scene play with at least defined role for each player. The benefit of playing with clear roles allow to have much more coordinated attack which are in term, more effective than free flowing style.

Those name are concept and may hold other name depending on people. But they provide the same ideas and they are keys to understanding high level of competitive CS play.

ATTACKING SIDE/ TERRORIST SIDE[edit]
ENTRY FRAGGER[edit]

The player who will enter bombsite first and if able, try to get the first blood.

Quality : need good aim, crosshair placement mechanics, great knowledge of the map, STRONG self-confidence (entry-fragger will always draw the fire upon him, thus making him less able to take kills. It can become quite hard to play this role).

+ : Allow good aimers in your team the time to shoot at Counter-Terrorist on site by drawing attention on you.

- : None.


VARIATION

You can also put the primary AWPer of your team, if you have one, in that role. His goal will be to look carefully for each angle and try to get the first blood using the AWP one shot one kill power. Note that the variation come in the fact that he usually won't be the first to get on bombsite, but the first to PEEK at the bombsite.

Quality : same as before + quick reflexes, because scoping at close range can be quite harsh and unforgiving if missed.

Examples : JW for fnatic (sometimes), kennyS or Happy depending on who gets the AWP for G2 Esports.


SUPPORT PLAYER[edit]

The player who will throw grenades like Flashbangs or Molotovs to allow his teammates to enter bombsite with less fear of retaliation.

Quality : good flashbangs timings, smoke placement and molotovs throwing, great knowledge of the map.

+ : Crucial. Without any support of some sort, you basically become shooting practice for Counter-Terrorists. At least 1 player should do it.

- : Too much support player might become useless, because no one will then enter the site and give the entry fragger the firepower to clean the bombsite.

Examples : KRiMZ for fnatic, Maniac.


MID-ROUND PLAYER/CALLER[edit]

Usually someone who possess great aim and tactical awareness, ideally the second one to enter the bombsite, shooting at CTs with less health points and focusing on the entryman. Also the main carry of the team.

Quality : excellent aim, ideally should be the best aimer in the team. Excellent tactical awareness. Great clutcher. Also an all-rounder, his goal will be once the bomb is planted to ensure its detonation.


LURKER

The player who will play the other bombsite, trying to silently walk around and grab kills from unsuspecting rotating CTs. Can also create fake attack on bombsite from his position on the map.
Quality : able to read opponent's minds, good use of sounds, great knowledge of the map.

+ : If played correctly, it can greatly enhance your chance of winning by catching unsuspecting rotating Counter-Terrorists.

- : Can harm your side by having 1 less player on bomb site.


IN-GAME LEADER[edit]

The main caller, who will call strategies and game plans for his team. His ultimate goal is to make his team win the round. One of the critical role of Counter-Strike, if not the most.

Quality : excellent knowledge of tactics, creative mind, good understanding of the game, experience in the field, STRONG self-confidence (you have to call for your team and take full responsibility of the round, even if you lose it.)

+ : Allow for his teammates to solely focus on their playstyle, which relieve them of a burden.

- : In-game leaders suffers greatly, skillwise, from focusing on strategies and reading the game.



DEFENSIVE SIDE/ COUNTER-TERRORISTS[edit]
PIVOT/ROTATING PLAYER[edit]

The first player to provides back-up when needed, has the freedom of movement through the map. One of the most important role and decisive factor in winning a round, his prediction can lead to a great advantage, or disadvantage depending on his reading of the game.

Quality : excellent reading of the game, great knowledge of timings of Ts attack. His positioning should be the nearest to the other bombsite.

+ : If he read the game well, can be the additional player that make a difference.

- : If not, he can make the attack easier for Terrorist.



DEFENSIVE/STATIC PLAYER[edit]

His goal is crucial. His sole role will be to hold a site as long as possible (if possible not die), delay as much as possible the attack and gain as much time as possible for back-up players to reinforce the bombsite.

Quality : great aim, good knowledge of defensive position (where to be, where to aim, how to get the most out of each position on the map), know how to delay his opponent using Smoke grenade/ Molotov.

+ : Basic. You can not play without having some kind of static defender.

- : None.