Retake drops you straight into the tensest part of the round: the bomb is already planted, CTs are pushing the site, the clock is short. No half-map buys, no walking around an empty Mirage — just the after-plant, over and over. Here's how the mode works on CYBERSHOKE, what commands it has, and why people who grind FACEIT still load it up.
All servers sit on the RETAKE mode page — connect and play, no registration needed.
What is retake in CS2
Retake is a mode where every round starts with the bomb already planted. Terrorists hold the site, counter-terrorists take it back and defuse. Rounds are short, teams get reshuffled, and spawns and weapons are handed out automatically. In one session you play more after-plant situations than a whole evening of regular 5v5 would give you.
How retake is different from a normal 5v5 match
The difference is density. In a competitive round the after-plant happens a couple of times per half; in retake it is the whole game. Roles also flip every round: one moment you hold the site four-stacked, the next you're pushing in through smokes. It trains decisions rather than raw aim — where to stand, when to peek, what to block off.
How to play retake in CS2: commands and settings
Everything is in the in-game menu under the !retake command. From there you set how the round gets dealt to you:
- Create a duo — play paired with a friend so you always land on the same team.
- Spawn selection — pick where you enter from, or where you hold.
- Play with AWP and Play with SSG 08 — puts snipers into the rotation.
- AK-47 priority and AWP priority — which gun you get more often.
How to play retake with a friend
The !retake menu has a "Create a duo" option: after that the system puts you on the same team instead of opposite sides. From there you split roles — one enters first and draws the attention, the other trades. For drilling setups that beats hoping the shuffle puts you together.
AK-47 for CT — what changed in May 2026
On 16 May 2026 the AK-47 was added to the CT rotation: defenders can now start a round with something other than the M4. You switch it on with the "AK-47 priority" option in the !retake menu, and players with PREMIUM and LITE subscriptions get the rifle more often. Small change, but it noticeably shifts long-range duels where the M4 used to lose on damage.
What maps CS2 retake is played on
In CS2 the mode started with the classics — Mirage, Inferno and Dust II — and a month and a half later the full available map pool landed on the servers. Recently the graffiti came back to Cache, so the map finally looks the way it should. The pool is the standard competitive one, so you drill the same sites you'll meet on FACEIT or in matchmaking.
Where to practise retakes and grind rating
Retake on CYBERSHOKE also has a global leaderboard with points, and that rating isn't just a number. In March 2026 separate DUELS servers opened for players with 6500+ points on the retake leaderboard, as well as 2000+ Faceit Elo and PRO status. Your retake rating is a ticket into lobbies where strong players sit.
If you want the full warm-up set, the CYBERSHOKE CS2 page has deathmatch, duels and the movement modes KZ, BHOP and SURF.
FAQ
What is retake in CS2?
A mode where the round starts with the bomb already planted: terrorists hold the site, CTs retake and defuse it. Weapons and spawns are given out automatically and rounds run back to back.
How do you play retake with a friend?
The in-game !retake menu has a "Create a duo" option — after that you'll always be put on the same team.
How do you choose your weapon in retake?
Through the !retake menu: it enables AWP and SSG 08 and sets your priority — AK-47 or AWP. Since May 2026 the AK-47 is available on the CT side too.
Source
Update details come from the CYBERSHOKE updates page. Servers and live player counts: RETAKE on CYBERSHOKE.