Economy in CS2: When to Force-Buy and When to Eco (with Examples)
The CS2 economy is a game within the game. You can hit all your headshots, but if your team buys deagles every round without thinking — you’re just stylishly broke. 💸
Update Note: As of the latest patch in 2025, loss bonuses and pistol round outcomes now affect economy in deeper ways. Let’s break it down like a bombsite hold gone wrong.
🔢 Basic CS2 Economy Values
| Action | Reward ($) |
|---|---|
| Bomb Plant (T-side) | 800 (team-wide) |
| Kill (Rifle) | 300 |
| Kill (SMG – MAC-10, MP9) | 600 |
| Round Win | 3250 – 3500 |
| Round Loss #1 | 1900 |
| Loss Bonus #2 | 2400 |
| Loss Bonus #3 | 2900 |
| Loss Bonus #4 | 3400 |
| Loss Bonus #5+ | 3400 (capped) |
🤔 What Is Force-Buy?
A force-buy means spending all or most of your money even when you don’t have enough for a full buy. Think: pistols, armor, a cheeky scout, maybe even a MAC-10. It’s gambling, but legal and with flashbangs.
When to Force-Buy
- 🔸 You just lost pistol round, but planted the bomb → ~$2700 per player
- 🔸 You want to break enemy economy after they barely survived last round
- 🔸 You’re at 0-2, and full-buying next round won’t change the outcome much
- 🔸 Your team feels confident with pistols (maybe too confident 😅)
🧘♂️ What Is an Eco Round?
Eco means saving money and buying nothing — or maybe a flash and a P250. It’s like fasting: unpleasant, but necessary for growth. 🌱
When to Eco
- 🔹 You’re on hard loss bonus, and a full buy is 1 round away
- 🔹 Your team can’t buy armor + rifles + utility — wait for a stronger round
- 🔹 Your team is out of sync on money and needs to equalize
- 🔹 You’re losing 0-5 and spiraling — take control, regroup, eco
📚 Practical Scenarios with Math
Scenario 1: You lose pistol but plant the bomb.
→ You receive $800 (bomb) + $1900 (loss) = $2700.
→ You can force next round: armor + Tec-9 + flash or scout + light armor.
Scenario 2: You lose 2 rounds in a row with no bomb plant.
→ Loss bonus = $2400, your total = ~$2400.
→ Eco round is better here. Save for 3rd round rifles + utility.
Scenario 3: Your team loses 4 rounds in a row, but full-buy is possible next round.
→ Call an eco, buy nothing, stack a site, and surprise them.
💡 Economy Tips from Pros
- Communicate: Make team decisions together — no rogue AK buys on eco rounds.
- Utility > Rifle: A good flash can win a round more than a lone Galil.
- Track Enemy Money: If they survived with 1 or 2 players — a reset is near.
- Save Guns: If you can’t win the round, don’t force a 1v4 — save that AWP.
🧮 Mini Table: Force or Eco?
| Team Money Avg | Action | Why |
|---|---|---|
| $2000 – $2500 | Eco | No armor or rifles possible |
| $2700 – $3200 | Force | Strong pistol buy, potential to upset |
| $4000+ | Full Buy | Rifles, armor, full nades |
Conclusion 🔚
Managing the CS2 economy is a team skill. Don’t just spam buy — plan, communicate, and think long-term. Force-buying is spicy, but eco rounds win tournaments too (just ask NaVi 2021 🏆).
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