A Guide to Dealing with Cheaters and Trolls in Counter-Strike

In any competitive game or activity, there will always be individuals attempting to gain an unfair edge or disrupt the experience for others. This remains unchanged in CS2. If you have experienced the game at an advanced level, chances are you have encountered at least a few of them. In this article, you will learn how to effectively deal with cheaters and trolls in CS2 to ensure an enjoyable gaming experience.

Procedures to Follow When Reporting Cheaters and Trolls in CS2

First and foremost, if you encounter an individual who is cheating or engaging in disruptive behavior, it is highly recommended that you report them within the game.

If you want to report someone who is cheating in CS2:

• Access the scoreboard (the default key for this is tab). Ensure the scoreboard remains accessible by continuously pressing and holding the button.
• While the scoreboard is open, press the alternate fire button (usually right-click) to perform the desired action. Follow these steps to display a mouse cursor on your screen.
• Position the cursor over the player's name that you wish to report. To report the user, right-click on their name and choose the "Report" option from the dropdown menu.
• Indicate the cause for reporting. Please choose the option to report a player who is using Wallhacks. If you wish to report someone for abusive behavior or trolling (griefing), please select those options.
• Click on the Submit button to send the report. You will receive a confirmation in the in-game chat (exclusively visible to you) once your report has been successfully submitted.

A Guide to Reporting on Steam

If you want to report a player on Steam, you might consider doing so directly through the platform.

To provide an account of Steam:

• Visit the user's Steam profile
• Locate the button with three dots positioned in the upper right-hand corner of the profile.
• Select the option to report a player.
• Submit this account for review and complete the form that appears.
• Select the option to submit your report.

It remains to be seen whether reporting cheating on Steam has any impact on how a report is dealt with if you have also reported within the game itself. Think of reporting on Steam as an additional measure, with in-game reporting being the initial action you should consider. It is optional to report on Steam as well as in-game in order to report a cheater in CS2.

Additionally, the Steam report feature can be utilized to report instances of harassment, scamming, impersonation, and more. 

Strategies for Dealing with Cheaters and Trolls in Counter-Strike

Avoid Engaging With the Troll

If you suspect a player of cheating or other disruptive behavior, it is crucial to report them promptly. Once you have completed this task, it is highly recommended that you disregard the individuals who are behaving inappropriately. The timeless saying 'refrain from nourishing the trolls' certainly holds true in this situation. By sharing your report message in the all-chat or otherwise acknowledging that you've reported the enemy, you're simply falling into their trap.

Players who engage in dishonest behavior and disruptive actions aim to cause frustration and irritation, among others. One effective strategy to deal with them is to disregard their presence simply. This will not deter cheaters from cheating, but at least you are not providing them with the gratification of knowing they have provoked a reaction from you. Allowing oneself to become agitated in the conversation is playing right into their hands.

The Concept of Retributive Justice Needs to Be More Effective

Even if you've unfortunately come across numerous CS2 cheaters and trolls, it's essential to always maintain your integrity. If you resort to dishonesty because 'everyone else is being dishonest,' you are only contributing to the game's increasing toxicity. Being dishonest just because you 'dislike dishonesty' is contradictory. By actively contributing to the game's current state, you forfeit any right to voice complaints about it.

If you're facing difficulties with a bothersome teammate (intentionally obstructing your view, causing team damage, ...), it's advisable to refrain from reacting. It may be alluring to administer a headshot to a grieving teammate in order to eliminate them, but it is advisable to maintain composure. Firstly, it's essential to refrain from engaging with trolls in order to avoid giving them the attention they seek. 

Additionally, responding to trolls could lead to them reporting your account.

It is important to emphasize that there are individuals who are actively seeking to provoke and deceive others. Addressing their disruptive conduct plays into their hands, allowing them to achieve their desired outcome. It has the potential to put your account's reputation at risk.

Refrain From Making Unfounded Accusations

CS2 is widely regarded as the most beloved shooter game worldwide. As a result, there will be numerous individuals attempting to manipulate the system through dishonest means. That being said, occasionally, you find yourself outwitted, outmaneuvered, or defeated by more skilled competitors.

You need to possess extraordinary skills like donk, s1mple, device, and others to be doubtful that you belong to the elite group of the world's top players. Therefore, it is essential to acknowledge that there will always be individuals who surpass your abilities. Furthermore, even the most exceptional players on the planet experience days or matches where fortune isn't in their favor, and they find themselves overwhelmed.

If you immediately assume that anyone who eliminates you is a cheater, you are compromising your expectations. If you immediately label anyone who outperforms you as a hacker, you are essentially admitting defeat in the game. Because you firmly believe that they are utilizing outside aids to outperform you, you have ceased your efforts to learn or improve. Why bother? They're cheating regardless, aren't they?

However, if they are not engaging in dishonest behavior, you are missing out on the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and insights. Perhaps you find yourself consistently occupying the identical location and falling victim to pre-made as a result. Your team consistently targets the exact location, causing the opposing team to defend that area heavily. It may be wise to refrain from crouching during long-range firefights, as it significantly increases your vulnerability as a target. These are all great examples of valuable skills to acquire. However, if you firmly believe that the majority of your adversaries are engaging in dishonest practices, it will hinder your personal growth and self-improvement.

Clearly, not all matches provide an opportunity for personal growth. Occasionally, things don't go your way, and you find yourself facing someone who is having an exceptional day. We've all experienced those days when the '99 in 3' shots continue to accumulate; there's nothing to be done except to move forward. Indeed, hackers are a reality. We're suggesting that resorting to accusations of cheating has never resulted in someone becoming a more skilled player. Actually, it can be quite the contrary.

Keep Playing, and Don’t Give Up

Competing against a blatantly dishonest individual can be incredibly frustrating and ultimately unproductive. However, it is always advisable to refrain from giving up on the game. Leaving a competitive match will result in a deduction from your CS rating (CS2 Ranks and CS2 Ratings explained) and will also incur a competitive cooldown. If you quit too frequently, you may receive a competitive cooldown lasting for several days.

Moreover, abandoning a game -once again- plays right into the cheater's hands. They will surely appreciate the popup message notifying them that the player has left the match and received a competitive cooldown.

If you find yourself up against an individual who is utilizing unfair tactics such as rage hacking and spin-botting, the game will likely come to a swift conclusion. Suppose you're facing an opponent who is employing deceptive tactics. In that case, you can utilize the match as an opportunity to enhance your skills in using utility, refining your movement, and other important aspects of gameplay. There are numerous activities you can engage in that are unrelated to your aim (duels).

If your entire team firmly believes that the opponent is engaging in unfair play, consider adopting a strategy of consistently rushing. With this method, rounds conclude within seconds, allowing you to proceed to the next game swiftly.

Inform Your Teammates Who Are Cheating, and if You Can, Kick Them

Suppose you come across a situation where one of your fellow teammates is engaging in dishonest behavior. In that case, it is highly recommended that you take the necessary steps to report their actions. It is advisable to remove them from your team as well. If they're in a group with their buddies, you might have some difficulty in attempting to remove them through a vote kick, but it's worth giving it a shot.

It may be alluring to allow dishonest teammates to carry out their actions in order to secure effortless victories, but this approach is morally incorrect and certainly not assured. When dishonest players are ultimately penalized, their teammates forfeit the CS rating they acquired during the matches they participated in together.

Moreover, are you genuinely interested in achieving victory through dishonest means? Competitive shooters such as CS2 revolve around the constant pursuit of improvement, honing your abilities, and challenging yourself against opponents of comparable skill levels. What's the point of having a high rating if you're aware that you've achieved it through dishonest means? Make it a priority to eliminate cheaters and consistently report their actions.