win.gg
Win.gg Counter-Strike Pros are suspicious of CS2 subtick servers, here’s why

Pros are suspicious of CS2 subtick servers, here’s why

Author Icon
William Davis Published 03/04/2023

Subtick is supposed to be one of the most advanced gameplay changes coming in Counter-Strike 2, but the future CS2 pro community has its doubts.

The few players who managed to get into the CS2 limited beta test have now had time to evaluate the new gameplay changes, including the flashy new subtick servers. However, the reception has been mixed, with some pros claiming that 128 tick will remain the competitive standard. Here’s what pros are saying about subtick and what Valve hopes to fix with the new servers.

Almost all pro players already have access to the new version of the game, and their opinions are the most important for Valve to listen to. Unfortunately, feedback has not been entirely positive. Star FaZe Clan rifler and Intel Grand Slam winner Robin “ropz” Kool is the most recent downplayer. He called the new system “not good enough” and claimed that pro play should continue on 128-tick servers.

https://twitter.com/ropz/status/1641204052749950976

He’s not alone, as popular CSGO streamer Jason Ruchelski has also decried the new server system as a scam. He compared the new system to the old 64-tick servers currently used for Valve matchmaking. 

https://twitter.com/JasonRuchelski/status/1642272725334130689

While many players claim that they can feel the difference between tick rates, the average CSGO fan certainly can’t. The feel of the game is essentially the same, though certain grenade lineups can fail if they’re designed on a different tick rate. Still, if pro players and streamers are criticizing the system, it’s important for Valve to consider their feedback before the official launch this summer.

What does subtick even mean in CS2?

Subtick is supposed to provide continuous server updates every time a CS2 player makes an input, but it’s not clear exactly how this is supposed to affect gameplay.

In Valve’s current 64-tick standard, the server is updated 64 times every second with new information on player movement, fired weapons, and physics objects. Many claim that 64 ticks are not enough, and competitive CSGO is almost entirely played on 128-tick servers. Doubling the tick count was an extremely common request before the reveal of CS2, but Valve decided to go a different route entirely.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqhhFl5zgA0&ab_channel=Valve

The new subtick system is designed to be a continuous stream of server updates, meaning that players don’t have to wait for the milliseconds between ticks before their inputs register. In theory, this should make movement and gunplay smoother than before, though not everyone is feeling the theoretical benefits. It’s also possible that the new subtick system is less taxing on Valve’s equipment than 128. Expect Valve to revisit or tweak the system before the game’s official release later this year.

William Davis
About William Davis

View full profile
Read Also
Here’s the complete Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 schedule Esports Betting
Here’s the complete Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 schedule Hannan Mundia The Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 has finally arrived, and here’s the complete schedule for the event to ensure you don’t miss anything. While it isn’t exactly the newest name in the esports scene, the EWC has quickly become a leading event for esports fans worldwide. It brings together professional players and fans from various games, combining them into one long event that everyone can enjoy. 2026’s Esports World Cup ...
XSE Pro League 2026 in China: Teams, format and prize pool Counter-Strike
XSE Pro League 2026 in China: Teams, format and prize pool Owen Harsono Counter-Strike is back after the IEM Cologne Major, as the XSE Pro League 2026 is the first notable event since then. 16 teams book flights to China to compete in the million-dollar event. Here’s everything you need to know about the XSE Pro League 2026 event. Top-tier Counter-Strike returns to the passionate grounds of China, as the event will take place in the city of Guangzhou. Teams will play in ...
Will Valve add Cache in the CS2 Premier Season 5 Active Duty map pool? Esports Betting
Will Valve add Cache in the CS2 Premier Season 5 Active Duty map pool? Wasif Ahmed Following the highly anticipated return of Cache to Counter-Strike 2 earlier this season, the competitive community has almost started believing that the legendary industrial map would soon make its way into the Active Duty map pool for Premier Season 5. This expectation followed a pattern set by Train, which Valve brought back late last year before quickly pushing it into the main professional tournament rotation. However, in a recent Twitter ...
IEM Cologne Grand Final: Team Falcons vs FURIA best betting predictions Counter-Strike
IEM Cologne Grand Final: Team Falcons vs FURIA best betting predictions Owen Harsono Coming into the IEM Cologne Major, nobody would have expected a grand final series between Team Falcons and FURIA, but here we are. Will NiKo finally win his first Major, or will FalleN win another one before retiring at the end of the year? Here are our IEM Cologne Major Grand Final predictions. Tournament: IEM Cologne Major 2026 Stage: Grand Final Game: Counter-Strike 2 Format: Best-of-five Betting tip: Team Falcons ...
Team Spirit vs Team Falcons IEM Cologne Major: betting predictions and picks Counter-Strike
Team Spirit vs Team Falcons IEM Cologne Major: betting predictions and picks Owen Harsono We’re in for a treat, as Team Spirit will take on Team Falcons for a spot in the IEM Cologne Major grand final. Will NiKo finally get another shot at winning a Major, or will donk and company prevent him from accomplishing his lifelong goal? Here are our IEM Cologne Major Team Spirit vs Team Falcons predictions. Tournament: IEM Cologne Major 2026 Stage: Semi-Final Game: Counter-Strike 2 Format: Best-of-three Betting ...
Vitality vs Falcons betting predictions and best picks: IEM Cologne Major 2026 Counter-Strike
Vitality vs Falcons betting predictions and best picks: IEM Cologne Major 2026 Owen Harsono We’re treated to a possible grand final matchup here in the quarterfinal of the IEM Cologne Major, with Team Vitality taking on Team Falcons in an elimination match. These are two of the highest-profile teams in the game right now, but only one of them can continue their chase for the trophy. Here are our IEM Cologne Major Team Vitality vs Team Falcons predictions. Tournament: IEM Cologne Major 2026 Stage: ...
IEM Cologne Major 2026 playoffs preview: matchups & predictions Counter-Strike
IEM Cologne Major 2026 playoffs preview: matchups & predictions Owen Harsono The top eight teams at the IEM Cologne 2026 Major are set. Most of the favorites easily secured their spots, but we also have promising underdogs sneaking into the bracket. To keep you up to speed, here’s everything you need to know about the IEM Cologne Major playoffs. We started with 32 teams and are now only down to eight. After a grueling Stage 3, teams have been seeded into ...