How does the Elo rating system work in FACEIT for CS2?

Introduction

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The ELO rating system is the foundation of the competitive system on the FACEIT platform. It determines players' skill levels, helps create balanced matches, and makes the gameplay more engaging and exciting. Understanding this system is crucial for every player, as it accelerates ranking progression and improves the quality of matches. In this article, we will take a detailed look at how the rating works, what affects its changes, and provide practical tips for improving it.

How Does the Elo Rating System Work in FACEIT for CS2?

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The Elo rating system on FACEIT is a method for evaluating players' skill levels based on wins and losses. You start with a rating of 1000 upon registration, and your rating can drop to a minimum of 100. The higher your Elo, the stronger your opponents, turning each game into a real challenge.

The rating is divided into 10 levels, with each level representing a specific Elo range:

• Level 1: 100–500 Elo
• Level 2: 501–750 Elo
• Level 3: 751–900 Elo
• Level 4: 901–1050 Elo
• Level 5: 1051–1200 Elo
• Level 6: 1201–1350 Elo
• Level 7: 1351–1530 Elo
• Level 8: 1531–1750 Elo
• Level 9: 1751–2000 Elo
• Level 10: 2001 and above Elo

Each level accurately reflects the players' skills. This means that you will always play against opponents of your level, making the matches not only fair but also highly engaging. This approach helps you focus on improving your skills while also enjoying every game.

After each game, your rating is updated. A win increases your Elo, while a loss decreases it accordingly.

The following factors influence how your Elo changes after each match:

• The rating difference between teams

  A victory over a stronger opponent will earn you more Elo than a win against an equal or weaker opponent.
  However, if you lose to a team with a higher average Elo, you will lose fewer Elo points.

• Individual performance in the match

  The better you perform in a match (e.g., high K/D, AVG, or ADR), the more Elo points you will earn after a win and the fewer points you will lose after a loss.

• Rating difference in the lobby with teammates

  If you play with friends, the rating difference between you and your teammates is also taken into account.
  For players at levels 1–9, the allowed difference is 600 Elo, and for level 10, it is no more than 400 Elo.
  If the difference exceeds these limits, the Elo points awarded after a win will be lower.

Match Types on FACEIT

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On the FACEIT platform, several game modes are available for CS2, each with its own features, advantages, and disadvantages.

5v5 Match

This type is the standard one and is available to all players. You can play as a team of five with your friends, and the match follows the regular CS2 rules.

• Advantages: Quick match finding, available to all players regardless of the number of matches played, perfect for beginners.

• Disadvantages: There may be a larger Elo gap in the enemy team, which can make the game less enjoyable for more experienced players.

5v5 Super Match

This type provides improved matchmaking, allowing you to exclude maps you don’t want to play (which can be done in the match search settings) and limits the Elo rating difference to 400 points. Matches can include both players with Premium or Plus subscriptions as well as those without. To participate in a Super Match, players must have at least 30 played matches.

Important: In this mode, you will never play against teams with 4 or 5 players (4 or 5 stack), which helps ensure fairer and more balanced games.

• Advantages: More balanced matches and the ability to exclude maps.

• Disadvantages: Available for Premium and Plus subscribers, but also includes players without a subscription. Waiting times may be slightly longer.

5v5 Premium Super Match

This is the most competitive type on FACEIT, designed for experienced players. In Premium Super Match, you will only play with players who have a Premium or Plus subscription, making the matchmaking even more balanced. This mode includes all the benefits of the 5v5 Super Match, as well as the ability to vote to exclude players if someone on your team is disrupting the game. Additionally, in this mode, you participate in high-stakes matches where each game has an Elo change of +/- 30 points (20% more than in other modes).

• Advantages: Maximally balanced lobbies, the ability to earn more Elo for each match.

• Disadvantages: Available only for Premium and Plus subscribers, requires at least 30 played matches in ranked mode, and match search times can be much longer, especially at higher levels.

To activate or deactivate the Super Match or Premium Super Match modes, go to the Matchmaking Play page and select the desired match type in the Match Type section.

Each type on FACEIT offers unique opportunities for players, depending on their experience and preferences. Whether you're just starting out or you're already an experienced player, there's a type that's perfect for you.

You can also read the guide for Super Match and Premium Super Match on the official FACEIT website.

Player Ranking by Countries and Regions

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FACEIT also allows you to compare yourself with other players based on the rankings of your country or region:

• Country Ranking. You can see your position among the players in your country.

• Regional Ranking. This includes regions such as EU, NA, SA, SEA, OCE — each region has its own top players.

Players who rank in the top 1000 of their region can earn the Challenger Rank Badge, which is displayed on their profile and showcases their achievements at the end of the season. To qualify for this badge, you must have at least 50 wins in the selected region and play the majority of your games there.

You can view all FACEIT CS2 leaderboards via this link.

What is FPL and How to Join?

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FPL (FACEIT Pro League) is a professional league on the FACEIT platform where the best professional and aspiring players compete. The league attracts players not only with its high level of competition but also with its impressive prize pool. Each season, the total prize pool of FPL amounts to $200,000, making FACEIT the most attractive platform for eSports players.

How to Join FPL?

Starting in 2025, FACEIT has introduced significant updates to the selection process for FPL, making it more accessible and competitive than ever before. The new system aims to provide talented players with more chances to prove themselves and secure a spot in the league. Instead of relying solely on long-term rankings, FACEIT now offers dynamic qualification opportunities based on recent performance. This change allows emerging players to break into the competitive scene more quickly and gain exposure to professional-level gameplay. Below are the main ways you can qualify for FPL and take your skills to the next level.

Weekly Invitations for Top Players

Every week, FACEIT invites the top players from each region who are not yet in FPL to participate in league matches over the weekend.

The selection criteria vary by region:

• Europe: The top 10 players in the FACEIT ranking receive invitations to the upcoming weekend's FPL matches.

• North America: The top 30 players in the FACEIT ranking are invited to participate.

• South America: The top 30 players in the FACEIT ranking also receive invitations.

These players have the chance to earn a permanent spot in FPL if they impress professional players or finish the season in the top 3 of the overall ranking.

Qualification through Team Achievements

FACEIT also invites players from teams that have shown strong results in official tournaments:

• Europe: The top 35 teams in the Valve regional rankings receive invitations to FPL once per season.

• North America: The top 10 teams in the Valve ranking, all ECL teams, and the top 4 teams from the previous season's ESEA Advanced league gain access to FPL.

• South America: The top 30 players in the Valve ranking are invited once a month.

These teams and players gain access to FPL for a specific period, where they can compete with the best and strive for permanent participation.

Participating in FPL not only provides the opportunity to compete with the best players in the world and fight for cash prizes, but also a chance to attract the attention of professional eSports organizations. This can be a crucial step in any player's career.

Tips for Improving Your Elo Rating

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Improving your Elo rating on FACEIT requires not only skill but also a strategic approach. By following our simple yet effective recommendations, you can increase your chances of winning and raise your win rate.

Key Tips to Improve Your Elo

• Play with a consistent team

  Playing with friends or acquaintances helps minimize the number of trolls in your team and improves overall team play, which will definitely increase your chances of winning more.

• Focus on your personal stats

  Even in the case of a loss, your individual performance matters. A good personal result (such as a high K/D, AVG, or ADR) helps reduce Elo point loss.

• Choose the right time to play

  Prime time (peak hours) is the best time for matches. During these hours, there are more active players on the platform, which leads to more balanced matchmaking and reduces the risk of uneven games.

• Improve team communication

  Clear and constructive communication with teammates, even when playing solo, can change the course of any game, even the most challenging ones. Try to maintain a positive attitude, propose tactics, and most importantly, avoid toxicity.

• Take it seriously

  Get enough sleep to stay focused and warm up before matches on aim maps or deathmatch servers. Regular practice helps maintain your shooting skills, and the right mental approach prevents fatigue and frustration. Stay calm, analyze your mistakes, and use every game as an opportunity for growth.

By gradually incorporating these tips into your gameplay, you'll notice not only an increase in your Elo rating but also an overall improvement in your CS2 experience. Good luck on the server and in reaching new heights!

Conclusion

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The Elo rating system on FACEIT is not just about numbers; it's a tool that helps you track your progress, motivates you to improve your skills, and boosts your competitive spirit. No matter your current level, there is always room for growth, success, and perhaps even making it to the ranks of the world's best players. Good luck on FACEIT! 🎮