Ever since Counter-Strike became a free-to-play game, Prime status has been a key aspect to take into consideration. In CS2, Prime Status represents an optional purchase for players who both take the game seriously, as well as trying their luck with opportunities to earn free drops. In this guide, we'll tell you all about Prime status, how to get it in CS2, and its benefits.

What is CS2 Prime Status?

Counter-Strike 2, thanks to changes made to Global Offensive in 2018, is a free-to-play game. Although this is a positive thing if you wish to get your friends to try out the game, it also comes with a negative side. 

Due to free-to-play games having no barrier for entry, that means that anyone can play the game, and not just that, they can also do so on multiple accounts. This means that it is easy to find lobbies where players do not try, don’t care about the game, and are just trolling.

This is where CS2 Prime Status comes in.

CS2 Prime key to improving your player base. Players with Prime Status can only match against other players with CS2 Prime enabled, and those players are more likely to provide a better playing experience. However, players with Prime Status are still able to queue with players without Prime Status, although they will be matched alongside other players without CS2 Prime on Steam. The quality of the match will be lower, although you can introduce your friends to the game this way. 

In CS2, Prime Status also allows you to queue for ranked matches, which is one of the main joys of playing Counter-Strike. Accounts with Prime access in CS2 also get free benefits, which in CS2, come in the form of weekly Prime drops. Although these are typically low-cost items, some players have reported receiving high-value items from their weekly CS2 Prime rewards.

How to get Prime CS2

Unlocking CS2 Prime Status is very easy, although it will cost money. CS2 Prime Status is permanent, but you will have to fork out $14.99 in order to get it. While this may seem expensive at first, it is important to remember that you will get far more enjoyment out of CS2 if you choose to spend the money. 

To purchase and activate Prime Status in CS2, open the game and follow the options to purchase it from Steam. And, if you’re wondering ‘is CS2 Prime permanent?’ You also only have to pay the fee once, and then you can enjoy it for as long as you want.

Can you get CS2 Prime Status for free?

If you are interested in how to get cs2 prime for free, we have the answer to that question as well. Unfortunately, you can no longer get Prime Status for free in CS2. When Prime Status was introduced it was originally given to all players who currently owned the game, although newer players could earn Prime Status by reaching level 21 in-game.

As this feature was removed in 2021, it is no longer possible to earn Prime Status in CS2. Therefore, the only way of getting Prime Status in CS2 is by buying it.

Buying Counter-Strike 2 Prime accounts

There is one other way to get Prime Status in CS2, you can do so by buying a Counter-Strike 2 Prime account. Although this is a viable option, we would advise you not to do so for a number of reasons.

Firstly, buying and selling Steam accounts violates Valve’s terms of service. So, although you can buy and own the account, there is nothing saying you will have that account forever as you may just get banned for buying it in the first place. Secondly, seeing as it costs $14.99 to buy Prime Status in CS2, it is likely you will have to pay that much to buy an account with Prime anyway, so you may as well just buy it yourself. 

CS2 Prime matchmaking

The biggest benefit to having Prime Status in CS2 is CS2 Prime matchmaking. The reason for this is as follows:

• Less likely to encounter cheaters: Although cheaters are unavoidable in all PC games, you are far less likely to see them with CS2 Prime enabled. This is because cheaters are less willing to get banned when they have sunk money into it.
• Access to ranked matches: ranked matches are the bread and butter of Counter-Strike, and there is no joy like hitting Global Elite for the first time. Without access, are you really playing Counter-Strike?
• Better quality games: if you aren’t playing FACEIT, the best quality games will be found with Prime Status. Without it, trolls are everywhere.

Conclusion: CS2 Prime benefits

Now that we've told you everything, you may be wondering if it's worth it. While we can't make the decision for you, we would answer that question with an unequivocal "yes".

Prime status has no prerequisites in CS2 and becomes permanent after a one-time purchase for $14.99. For a small price, you get access to all of CS2's features, free drops, and better gameplay. Why don't you do it?