# CS2 Game Modes & How to Change Them (/docs/counter-strike-2/mode-setup)



import { Step, Steps } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/steps';

Setting the Game Mode [#setting-the-game-mode]

Via startup parameters:

```
+game_type 0 +game_mode 1
```

All Game Modes [#all-game-modes]

| Mode        | game\_type | game\_mode | Default Players |
| ----------- | :--------: | :--------: | :-------------: |
| Casual      |      0     |      0     |    20 (10v10)   |
| Competitive |      0     |      1     |     10 (5v5)    |
| Wingman     |      0     |      2     |     4 (2v2)     |
| Arms Race   |      1     |      0     |      10–20      |
| Deathmatch  |      1     |      2     |        20       |
| Custom      |      3     |      0     |      varies     |

Mode Descriptions [#mode-descriptions]

| Mode            | Description                                                        |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Casual**      | 10v10, shorter matches, start with Kevlar+Helmet, no friendly fire |
| **Competitive** | 5v5, standard bomb defusal, full buy system, MR12 (24 rounds)      |
| **Wingman**     | 2v2 on smaller map variants                                        |
| **Deathmatch**  | Free-for-all, instant respawn, 10-minute rounds                    |
| **Arms Race**   | FFA, progress through weapons per kill, first knife kill wins      |
| **Custom**      | For modded servers (retakes, surf, KZ, etc.)                       |

Per-Mode Config Files [#per-mode-config-files]

Each mode has a `_server.cfg` file for custom overrides:

| Mode        | Config File                          |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------ |
| Casual      | `gamemode_casual_server.cfg`         |
| Competitive | `gamemode_competitive_server.cfg`    |
| Wingman     | `gamemode_competitive2v2_server.cfg` |
| Deathmatch  | `gamemode_deathmatch_server.cfg`     |

Related Guides [#related-guides]

* [Server Configuration](/docs/counter-strike-2/server-config)
* [Max Players](/docs/counter-strike-2/player-slots)