In the bomb defusal mode, also known as the bomb scenario, featured in all games of the Counter-Strike series, the task of the teams is divided into two opposite goals, making it the most popular and balanced mode of gameplay.
Due to its popularity and balance, this mode is most often chosen for tournaments and other competitive matches, with all active duty maps being bomb defusal maps.
The objectives of the teams in this mode are as follows. Counter-Terrorists can win the round if:
- The round time expires without the terrorists being able to plant the C4 explosive device. The round time is 1:55 in competitive play mode in Counter-Strike 2, with the same conditions applying both in the regular competitive and Premier Mode
- They defuse the C4 after it has been planted
- They eliminate all terrorists before the C4 is planted
Terrorists win if:
- They plant the C4 explosive device and prevent the counter-terrorists from defusing it before the countdown ends. The bomb timer is 40 seconds in CS2 and 45 seconds in Counter-Strike and Source.
- They eliminate all counter-terrorists.
The bomb defusal mode is one of the two "classic" game modes in Counter-Strike 2, alongside the hostage scenario, available in both competitive and non-competitive games.
Counter-Terrorists can win the round by preventing the bomb from being planted before the time runs out, while the terrorists' task is to plant the bomb at one of the two bomb sites (usually located near the counter-terrorists' spawn) and ensure its detonation.
A secondary objective, which ensures victory for either team, is to eliminate all members of the opposing team. However, if the bomb has already been planted and all terrorists are eliminated, the round does not end until the bomb is defused or explodes. If the round time expires without the C-4 being planted, the counter-terrorists win by default.
The bomb can only be planted at a bomb site, and there are two on each official map. In competitive mode, counter-terrorists can purchase a "defusal kit," which reduces the time needed to defuse the bomb to 5 seconds instead of 10.
During defusal, players can reload weapons, throw grenades "underhand," crouch, and switch firing modes.
Key Points in Gameplay
The match in competitive mode with the bomb scenario is played in an MR12 format. The game is won by the team that manages to score 13 points.
Each team will play as both the attacking and defending side for one game. Teams switch sides after 12 rounds.
The maximum number of rounds without overtime is 24. In non-competitive mode, there are no additional rounds, and if teams finish the game with a score of 12:12, the game ends there (Tie). In Premier Mode, only one set of additional rounds is played after 24 rounds. On championships and other more professional platforms, additional rounds are played until one of the teams wins.
What is Overtime?
In CS2, when a match reaches Overtime after the teams finish the main game time with a draw, the standard rule is usually applied, according to which each team starts with a fixed amount of money, namely $10,000, for buying weapons and equipment.
Overtime consists of additional rounds, divided into two halves, where each team plays three rounds as the attacking side (Terrorists) and three rounds as the defending side (Counter-Terrorists), making a total of six rounds.
The goal of Overtime is to determine the winner of the match if no advantage was identified for either team at the end of the main time. The team that wins the majority of these six additional rounds is declared the winner of the match.
If the score remains equal after the first Overtime, additional Overtime series are played until a winner is determined. This rule ensures a fair and just conclusion to matches where teams have shown an equal level of play during the main time.
In-Game Economy in CS2
The in-game economy in CS2 plays a critical role, determining the tactical and strategic decisions of players. Players earn in-game currency through various actions in the match, which is then used to buy weapons, armor, and equipment.
Sources of Income:
- Winning a round: Teams receive $3250 for a win, but if the victory is achieved by a C4 explosion, the attacking team gets $3500. For successfully defusing the bomb, the defending team also receives $3500.
- Losing a round: The first loss brings the team $1400, each subsequent loss increases the amount by $500 up to a maximum threshold of $3400.
- Killing an enemy: Different types of weapons bring different amounts of money for a kill. For example, pistols (except CZ75-A) give $300 per frag, shotguns – $900, SMGs (except P90) – $600, while most rifles and sniper rifles (except AWP) bring $300. Uniquely, a knife kill brings $1500, and a grenade – $300. Killing with an AWP gives only $100, and the Zeus X27 taser does not bring any money at all.
Let's consider some interesting figures that determine how the economy functions in CS2.
In the pistol round, each player starts with $800.
However, the amount you receive for a win depends on how many rounds you have lost before:
- $1400 after the first lost round
- $1900 after two consecutive losses
- $2400 after three consecutive defeats
- $2900 after four consecutive defeats
- $3400 after five or more consecutive defeats.
This is the concept of a "streak." The more rounds you lose, the more money you receive for a win, allowing for a more even distribution of the economy within the team. Even the minimum amount of $3400 can be used to purchase rifles, such as Galil or Famas, and with them, you can start to fight back in the game in your favor.
Maps with the Bomb Defusal Mode in CS2
There are already many maps with this mode that have been created. However, here we will list specifically the maps that are included in the official map pool in Counter-Strike 2.
The list is as follows:
- Ancient
- Anubis
- Inferno
- Mirage
- Nuke
- Overpass
- Vertigo
