Hi, I'm Behr. Back in the day, I was a competitive CS player, achieving Global Elite in CS:GO and reaching FaceIT Level 10. While I’ve since retired from competitive play, the guides I wrote became very popular. I've decided to update this guide for modern times and CS2.

Enjoy!

If you're looking to gain a competitive edge in Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), the developer console is an essential tool. It allows you to fine-tune your game settings beyond what's available in the standard menu. Here's a quick guide on how to enable and access it.

Enable the Console

First, you need to enable the console in your game settings.

Go to Settings > Game.

Look for the Enable Developer Console option.

Toggle it to Yes.

Set Your Console Key
By default, the console key is usually the backtick key ( ` ) located just below the Escape key. However, you can change this to any key you prefer.

Go to Settings > Keyboard / Mouse.

Find the Toggle Console option and click to assign a new key.

With the console enabled and a key assigned, you're ready to start using commands to optimize your gameplay.

In Counter-Strike 2, the importance of "rates" has shifted due to the new sub-tick system. While the old cl_cmdrate and cl_updaterate commands are still technically in the game, their impact is different.

Sub-tick is a core change in CS2. Previously in CS:GO, servers would only process your actions (like shooting or moving) at fixed intervals, known as "ticks." For example, a 64-tick server would process actions 64 times per second. If you shot a fraction of a second between those ticks, your shot wouldn't be registered until the next tick.

In CS2, the sub-tick system ensures that the server knows the exact instant an action occurred, regardless of the server's tick rate. This means that a shot is registered precisely when you click, not at the next server update.

The New Reality: 64-Tick is the Standard
Valve's Official Servers (Matchmaking & Premier): All official servers in CS2, including competitive matchmaking and Premier mode, run at a 64-tick rate.

Third-Party Servers (e.g., FACEIT): Platforms like FACEIT, which previously used 128-tick servers in CS:GO, have also had to adapt to CS2. While they still aim for a more responsive experience, the game's core architecture now prioritizes the sub-tick system over a higher traditional tick rate.

Recommended Console Commands (for CS2)
Given the sub-tick system, the old commands are less about matching the server's tick rate and more about ensuring your client is configured for optimal performance.

Here's a breakdown of the commands you'll want to use in your console or autoexec.cfg file for the best experience on any server:

rate 786432
cl_interp_ratio 1
cl_interp 0.015625
What these commands do:

rate 786432: This sets the maximum bandwidth your client can use. This is the new recommended value for CS2, as it provides plenty of headroom for all server types, including those with higher-quality updates.

cl_interp_ratio 1 & cl_interp 0.015625: These are your interpolation settings. Interpolation is how the game smooths out player movement between server updates. Setting these values as low as possible reduces the delay between what the server reports and what you see on your screen. This is crucial for precise aiming and hit registration.

With your rates set, you're now ready to hop into a match and experience smoother gameplay. Remember, the sub-tick system in CS2 means your actions are more precise than ever, giving you the edge in competitive play.

Thanks for reading, and I hope this updated guide helps you dominate the server!

— Behr
Check out my other guides!