win.gg
Win.gg Counter-Strike Explaining all of the different roles on a CSGO team

Explaining all of the different roles on a CSGO team

Author Icon
William Davis Published 17/03/2021

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is a first-person shooter with a heavy emphasis on the tactical part of the game. Players have to do much more than just shoot the enemy in order to be consistently successful.

With this in mind, these are the different roles that exist within a CSGO team. 

The in-game leader

The in-game leader, or IGL for short, is the tactical mastermind behind the team. They decide what the team does, where it goes, and change those plans based on the information gathered. 

As a terrorist, the IGL has to explain the tactical approach for each round. The IGL has to decide whether the team attacks A or B, if they rush or play it slow, and how much utility they will need to use. They direct their teammates and give instructions on how they should start the round.

But the most important part of being an IGL is changing the plan when needed. If they realize their game plan is countered by the opposition, they have to be quick of mind and come up with a new strategy.

Playing as a counter-terrorist, the IGL needs to keep track of what the enemy is doing and make an estimated guess about what they will do in the future. They need to adjust the defense of their team tp account for the incoming attack.

The entry fragger

The entry fragger is potentially the sacrificial lamb of a team. They’re the playmaker, the most aggressive player, and often the first one to die in an engagement. 

The entry fragger is the first one to rush onto a site as a terrorist. They have to surprise the opponents by quickly taking space, disorganizing the defense in the process. They can be smart and deliberate, pushing at the right moment, supported by their teammates’ flashes, or they can play a hyper-aggressive style.

If an entry fragger pushes through a smoke and dies, their death might not be in vain. If they can spot enemies, report the information to their team, and give their IGL the knowledge needed to make a good call, they have successfully played their role. 

The AWPer

The AWPer is the sniper of the team, and they use the scoped rifles for long-range engagements. The terrorists typically have one dedicated sniper, while counter-terrorists may decide to use two. 

The AWPer usually plays around the center of the map. This open space is ideal for the type of fights they want to pick: long-range engagements with individual players. Quick reflexes and patience are the best qualities for a successful AWPer. 

The AWPer is a stabilizing factor for a team. Once they’re locked in on an angle, their teammates know they don’t have to fear an enemy peeking from that part of the map. 

The support

The term “support player” makes it seem like this is a role for less talented players. But the name doesn’t always do justice to what this player really does.

The support player plays in the backline of the team, plays more passively, and is deliberate in all their actions. Sometimes, the most important thing the support player does is stay alive, as they may have to make an impact later in rounds.

But there’s a great variety in what they can do. They can lurk, playing on the other side of the map relative to the rest of their team. Their presence might trigger the opponent to believe that they’re not alone. Or they could use their utility to help their team enter a site while defending their flank.

The support player of a team often has a reputation for being a great clutch player. Thanks to their passive positioning, they’re the designated survivor of an attack. 

The star player

All the previously mentioned roles can play into the star player. The IGL gives him the best possible scenario to shine, the entry fragger makes space for him to pick favorable fights, the AWPer gives him the possibility to focus on certain parts of the map, and the support player has their back.

The star player is the one putting up the biggest fragging numbers. They have to be on top of the scoreboard in order to be most successful, and they are expected to turn advantages provided by their teammates into wins.

While every CSGO player wants to see himself as a star player, the role brings a lot of responsibility. If you miss your shot, the work of your teammates has been in vain. You have to consistently perform at the highest level to justify filling this role.

William Davis
About William Davis

View full profile
Read Also
IEM Cologne Major Stage 3 preview: who’s making it to the playoffs? Counter-Strike
IEM Cologne Major Stage 3 preview: who’s making it to the playoffs? Owen Harsono The IEM Cologne Major is the biggest tournament of the year, and after two stages of play, it’s finally time to unleash the big boys. Stage 3 will feature the 16 best teams in the world, but only eight can advance to the Playoffs and play on the big stage. Here’s our IEM Cologne Major Stage 3 preview. Before we got to Stage 3, a lot of things happened in ...
IEM Cologne Major 2026 CS2 Stage 3 Pick’Em Predictions Counter-Strike
IEM Cologne Major 2026 CS2 Stage 3 Pick’Em Predictions Owen Harsono It’s that time of the year again, as the next Counter-Strike 2 Major is right around the corner. The IEM Cologne 2026 Major is set to start on June 2, meaning you still have some time to lock in your Pick’Em predictions. The Pick’Em Challenge is one of the most exciting parts of the CS2 Majors, as it allows you to test your knowledge and predict which teams make it ...
Team Spirit concede just 10 rounds in Stage 2 of the IEM Cologne Major Counter-Strike
Team Spirit concede just 10 rounds in Stage 2 of the IEM Cologne Major Owen Harsono It was pretty weird seeing Team Spirit having to start the IEM Cologne Major from Stage 2, but they quickly proved why that was a mistake. With donk shooting on all fronts, the Eastern Europeans speed ran the competition to book their spot in Stage 3. With how they’ve been playing, it’s hard not to wonder whether they can actually win the entire thing. These boys can sometimes be known ...
BIG pull off 0-12 comeback to stay alive – IEM Cologne Major Stage 1 recap Counter-Strike
BIG pull off 0-12 comeback to stay alive – IEM Cologne Major Stage 1 recap Owen Harsono We’ve just witnessed arguably the worst choke in Counter-Strike Major history, and we’re only on the first stage of the IEM Cologne Major. If you didn’t tune into the Stage 1 matches, here’s what you need to know heading into Stage 2. Many fans tend to underestimate Stage 1 teams for fair reasons, but some survivors in this tournament look extremely promising. Two Eastern European teams, BetBoom Team and B8, ...
Who will win the IEM Cologne Major 2026? Counter-Strike
Who will win the IEM Cologne Major 2026? Owen Harsono If you’re looking to play it safe and back one team at the Counter-Strike 2 IEM Cologne 2026 Major, traders prediction markets platforms have a clear frontrunner – it’s Team Vitality. But if it’s not meant to be, there are a few other candidates that could lift the trophy. Here’s what traders on Polymarket and Kalshi think. If you haven’t been watching CS2 this year and are only jumping on ...
The 10 best CS2 players who have never won a Major Counter-Strike
The 10 best CS2 players who have never won a Major Owen Harsono In Counter-Strike, winning a Major immediately puts you into legend status. It’s an achievement that proves you won the game’s biggest trophy. However, there have been some really good players that could never get their hands on the biggest trophy that Counter-Strike esports has to offer. Here is WIN.gg's list of best CS2 players who have never won a Major. ScreaM is one of Counter-Strike's most famous players for one ...
IEM Cologne Major 2026: All the teams, favorites, and outright betting odds Counter-Strike
IEM Cologne Major 2026: All the teams, favorites, and outright betting odds Owen Harsono Mark your calendars, as the IEM Cologne Major kicks off on June 2, 2026. We’re going to see the best teams in the world compete, but which ones are actually favored to take the title? This will be the first time in 10 years that IEM Cologne will return as a Counter-Strike Major, so the stakes this year are much higher than they’ve been in a decade. In this guide, ...