1v1 matches are a classic element of any online FPS, and CS:GO is no different in this regard. 1 on 1 matches were a classic part of CS:GO and since the times of the early CS 1.6. Players would constantly challenge each other to go 1v1 on a private server. This was particularly true in situations, where one side gets dominated in a match. Players on the losing team often challenge the winners to 1v1 to either show that it was only the rest of the team dragging them down and that they are in fact pros.
Whether that’s true or false is rarely checked, since most of challenges like these are turned down. Still. if you feel like taking someone up on their offer, or simply going 1 on 1 with one of your friends, there’s a way to do that in CS:GO. Here’s a guide on how to 1v1 in CS:GO.
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Does 1v1 In CS:GO Make Sense?
Counter-Strike has always been a team game at its core. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive isn’t any different in this regard. The game mode and all the maps are balanced around a 5v5 match, with one team trying to either plant the bomb or take back the hostages. CS:GO offers an alternative game mode, called wingman, which features a smaller number of players and shorter matches, but also takes place on altered maps, made to suit small matches.
Generally, the game is absolutely not balanced for 1v1 gameplay in any way. The default maps are all intended for playing Counter Strike with its default game mode. Trying to 1v1 on maps like these is not really indicative of any skill, since not only are the maps not balanced equally for both sides, but there are countless other factors that are at play, which can greatly alter your gaming experience when going 1v1 with other players. You can of course create a private lobby, where you and the other player can square off, but its not going to be a balanced match.
However, despite all these shortcomings CS:GO players really love the 1v1 aspect, and to accommodate it they have created a number of workshop maps intended strictly for 1v1 matches. They are different from standard tournament maps and are generally much smaller, most often in a shape of a straight line with different obstacles in between the players. At the start of the match both players get a chance to purchase their guns and proceed to the round, which is often very short. These maps allow you to effectively enjoy the 1v1 in CS:GO, without any issues of the original maps.
How To Get Workshop Maps For 1v1 In CS:GO
As you can see if you want to really enjoy the 1v1 aspect of CS:GO, you will need to visit the Steam workshop for new maps. Thankfully, Steam workshop maps are easy to add to your game, since the workshop itself is fully integrated with the Steam client and all of the supported games.
To add CS:GO 1v1 maps to your local files, here’s what you have to do:
- Go to the CS:GO tab in the Steam workshop
- Select the option ‘browse’ and from the drop-down menu click on ‘maps’
- Type ‘1v1’ in the search bar
- This should automatically bring up the 1v1 maps that are available in the workshop. Maps can be added to your client easily. All you have to do, us click ‘subscribe’ and the map will be automatically downloaded to your client
If you did all of the steps above correctly, the map should simply appear in your game, even if you subscribed to it while being in-game. If you can’t find the select workshop maps you added, try restarting CS:GO and see if they appear on the list.
If you want to start a 1v1 match with any of the custom maps you download, all you need to do, is change ‘official matchmaking’ to ‘workshop maps’ when selecting the game mode. You should then see the list of all the maps in your local files tab, which you can select for your server. After that, all you need is to set a password for you and the other player and wait for them to start a match!
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What Are The Best 1v1 Maps In CS:GO?
As you can see, setting up your own 1v1 server in CSGO isn’t a difficult thing. You can easily do it with the maps from the integrated Steam workshop. You don’t even need to use the developer console or fiddle with your config file, simply create a server and use the map you want for your duel. If you don’t know which map to use, here are the maps that most players prefer for their 1v1 matches:
- MIBR 1v1
- aim_map 1v1
- 1v1 metro
- Aim_Nevermore
- AWP_DUSTARENA
- 1v1_deagle
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In Conclusion
While CS:GO was definitely not created with the 1v1 mode in mind, you can still have effective 1v1 matches thanks to the different custom maps available. If you want to duel your friends and test your individual skill, try playing a match on one of these maps and see if you like the slightly different CS:GO experience.
A true gaming enthusiast, especially Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Rust. At SkinsMonkey, he is involved in creating game guides based on his own experience.
