Download and client
Install through the official launcher, then finish the tutorial first — it hands out a starting agent and bonus XP.
Pacing your first levels
- Level 1-5: play Unrated and learn the basics — plant, defuse, round economy
- Level 5-20: try 3-5 agents until you find the role that fits your hands
- Level 20+: Competitive unlocks and ranked play begins
Settings you must fix
- Sensitivity: pick one medium value and only micro-adjust after. Constant changes are the biggest self-inflicted wound
- Graphics: shadows on, effects down — stable frames beat pretty frames
- Crosshair: the default is fine, but pick a color with clear contrast against the maps (cyan or green)
Your first competitive match
Do not sprint in first. Follow your team, learn to call your markers (press Z), and when you die, spectate a teammate and study their positioning.
Losing your first ten placement games is normal. The system calibrates you to your real level — build the fundamentals first.