How do you play retakes in CS2? A Lesson in CS Strategy

A successful retake can swing the momentum of a match, turning the tide in a seemingly lost round. However, knowing when to attempt a retake and how to execute it effectively requires a deep understanding of various factors, including team dynamics, utility management, and weaponry.

Whether you're outnumbered or up against superior firepower, recognizing the right moments and employing precise strategies can make all the difference. In this guide, we will explore the essential elements of planning and executing a retake, equipping you with the knowledge needed to bolster your team's chances of success in high-pressure situations.

Inferno B-Site. A notoriously difficult site for CT's to retake once T's have gotten entrenched in the post-plant. Credit: Valve

When should you attempt a Retake?

In Counter-Strike, it's not always favorable to go for a site retake; it varies a lot, so when should you go for one? Well, there are a few essential things you should look at. Firstly, look at the man-advantage; for example, in most cases, attempting a 3v5 retake just isn't worth it.

But let's say it's a 3v3; what should you look for next? Pay attention to what guns you and the enemy team have; for example, if you're on a low-buy while the enemy has AKs and AWPs, it might be more worth it to go for exit frags so you can secure those guns and use them to win the next round! Looking at the weapons the enemy team has is vital when attempting retakes because even if it's a 3v5 and the enemy team only has pistols or SMGs, then it's favorable for you, especially since they might not have Kevlar on a low-buy.

—Do note that in some cases, a 3v3 can be disadvantageous for the CTs, depending on the map and enemy positions.—

Mirage A-site. The bread and butter of retake scenarios, fine-tuning your coordination on this site will go a long way towards improving your retake capabilities. Credit: Valve

What should you do when Retaking a site?

So, you've evaluated your options and decided to go for the retake; what's the next step? There are a few steps you should take in every retake: first, look at what utility you have, see if you have grenades that can assist you, and check if you have a Defuse Kit.

Then, look at what weapons you have and see if your team has an AWP or any SMGs. (more on this later)

Next, look at what positions your team and the enemy team have; for example, if the enemy team has an advanced position and is blocking control of your area of the map, then it can be dangerous to attempt the retake. Having a flank in a lot of retake situations can also be very useful.

After looking into all of that, and you're about to attempt the retake, the following steps are highly crucial.

Organize and Communicate:

• Communication is not just important, it's vital in Counter-Strike, and retakes are no exception. It's crucial to ensure the retaking party is on the same page regarding when to push, what utility needs to be thrown, etc. Providing clean, precise, and fast information is key.

Utility Usage:

1. How should you use your utility when retaking? Arguably, the most crucial piece of utility when retaking is your Smoke Grenade; you should be using it either to block chokepoints (e.g., Banana on Inferno) or use it on the bomb, so you don't get mollied, or killed as quickly if you're sticking the defuse while a teammate or two are fighting.
2. Next up would be the Molotov and Incendiary Grenades; they're extremely useful for blocking pushes and delaying for rotations. During retakes, they're very effective when trying to flush opponents out of pesky spots. They can also be used to block out the Ts while you're sticking the bomb, potentially winning you the round.
3. Flashbangs: Quite simple, but can be the difference between losing a round and winning it. Make sure to throw good flashes while executing a retake; you can test line-ups on a practice server, and find a plethora of line-ups online.

How to Flash in CS2 Properly

Communicate with your team; communicate when you're flashing, what you're flashing, where the flash is being thrown, and when it goes off (e.g., "Flashing CT above you" "Boom"). Though not as helpful, you can throw a flash under you as you start defusing the bomb, blinding any enemies looking to peek you when they hear the defuse sound.

Weaponry

1. AWP: If you have an AWP during a retake, it's often best used holding a line or locking down an angle and throwing supportive utility. In some cases, such as a 2v1 retake situation, it could be best to run in first with the awp, creating space for the rifle to be able to trade. Quite often, it's better to swap out your AWP for a Rifle when retaking, if possible, as you have a lot more mobility and more favorable gunfights.
2. SMGs/Pistols: Generally, when retaking, you want SMGs and/or pistols to be the first point of contact, often dropping flashes and such to your teammates to throw utility for you when you're running in and trading you.
3. Rifles: The most essential part of a retake is your rifler; you can throw all the perfect utility you want, but it will only mean something if the rifler does their job correctly. Having a rifle in a retake means you have to be able to do all the aforementioned steps for all the weapons mentioned earlier in any given situation.

Improve your CS2 Retakes

There is no secret recipe for success; you'll have to read what the situation requires, as each retake is different and can require vastly different approaches. It's up to you and your team to comprehend the situation and decide what you think the best approach is.

This comes with many hours of practicing, trying, and failing. Don't be discouraged if you get destroyed; you can do everything right in a retake but lose on time or just get one tapped because sometimes your opponent is just having a really good day.

You can practice Retake situations on many Community Servers like Cybershoke, or if you prefer only playing with your friends, you can host a private Retake server via Refrag.

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Featured Image source: BLAST, edited by Strafe Esports

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