New Year is a time to give yourself a little break. Counter-Strike isn’t just about dabbling in ranked mode or on FaceIT; it’s also about allowing yourself to explore something new. Today the CS.MONEY Blog will share several reasons why unranked mode in Counter-Strike is important and should not be ignored.

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Why do we need unranked in CS2?

The answer is quite simple: although this community has many enthusiasts who strive for success, they are only a minority. More and more players come to Counter-Strike just to relax, shoot virtual opponents and take a break from the heavy routine of life. Simplified mode is often better suited for this than ranked matches. Even experimenters can benefit by jumping into unranked mode from time to time.

A change of scenery and space to experiment

The human brain is wired to think in patterns and shortcuts. This evolutionary mechanism helps us survive in the wild. However, doing the same thing over and over again can backfire. You may be stuck in your old ways while circumstances have changed, turning what was once the right decision into a mistake.

To keep your brain flexible requires new experiences; this is where the non-ranking mode comes into play. Here, you can explore maps that are not part of the competitive map set. Each map can offer new experiences and explain things you’ve never noticed before from a different perspective.

Likewise, new environments that force you to adapt to unfamiliar situations allow you to experiment without worrying about your ranking points. Maybe you’ll try a new smoke lineup, rediscover a weapon like a non-meta SMG, or play as an anchor more often with an AUG. The possibilities are endless, but discovering something new requires a new perspective, and non-ranked matchmaking is perfect for that.

Psychological Relaxation

There’s a big difference between going all out in a ranked match and relaxing with a beer in hand. Even top esports athletes sometimes enjoy playing football in the yard or playing non-ranked matchmaking games. It’s because they love the game—it makes them happy. Even though they are very competitive people, sometimes they are not in the mood to try hard.

Unrated matchmaking is here to help. You play with no commitment, no tilt required, and Counter-Strike reminds you why you fell in love with it.

Socialize with Friends

Lastly, we all have friends who are not very good at Counter-Strike (or maybe you are that friend yourself). Regardless, you all love this game, and it’s a great way to spend time together and chat—especially if you’re far apart.

Unrated mode allows you to enjoy your games and conversations to the fullest. We are social creatures, and we need to connect more! By the way, here is the code for the Battle Pass: 0SM9QTTH

If these arguments haven’t completely convinced you, remember that you can also collect XP in-game and earn weekly rewards outside of ranked matches. Freebies are always welcome! And if your dream skin still hasn’t dropped, head over to CS.MONEY—you can get it there quickly, affordably, and hassle-free!