How to Set Up a Retakes Server in CS2
Run a CS2 retakes server where CTs practice retaking bomb sites against a planted bomb every round.
What Retakes Is
Retakes is a practice game mode where every round starts with the bomb already planted at a random site. Ts spawn in post-plant positions defending the bomb; CTs spawn and immediately push to retake the site and defuse. No buy phase, no economy — just the retake scenario over and over.
It's one of the most popular community server formats because it isolates the most skill-intensive part of CS2.
What You Need
- CounterStrikeSharp installed: Installing CounterStrikeSharp on Your CS2 Server
- cs2-retakes by b3none:
https://github.com/b3none/cs2-retakes - cs2-retakes-allocator (same author, same repo or linked from it) — handles weapon assignment based on round scenario
Both are required for a proper retakes experience. The allocator gives players appropriate weapons (rifles for full-buy rounds, pistols for eco rounds) based on a simulated economy.
Installation
- Download the release zips for both
cs2-retakesandcs2-retakes-allocator - Extract both — each has an
addons/folder - Merge both into
game/csgo/on your server - Restart the server
Plugin files land at:
game/csgo/addons/counterstrikesharp/plugins/Retakes/
game/csgo/addons/counterstrikesharp/plugins/RetakesAllocator/
Config File
Config generates at:
game/csgo/addons/counterstrikesharp/configs/plugins/Retakes/
Key settings:
MaxPlayersPerTeam — typically 5 for 5v5, or 3 for 3v3. Retakes works well with smaller team sizes.
EnableFallbackBombsite — if one bombsite's spawn points are sparse, fall back to the other. Leave this on.
RetakesEconomy — enable/disable the simulated economy from the allocator. Most servers leave this on — it adds round variation.
Spawn Points
Retakes uses custom .json spawn files per map, stored here:
game/csgo/addons/counterstrikesharp/plugins/Retakes/spawns/
The plugin ships with spawn files for all official CS2 maps (Mirage, Inferno, Anubis, Nuke, Vertigo, Ancient, Dust2). These are updated by the community and may need refreshing after map updates from Valve.
Custom maps — if you're running a workshop map, you'll need a spawn file for it. The plugin includes a spawn editor: admins can add spawn points in-game using console commands. Check the plugin's GitHub wiki for the spawn editor commands.
server.cfg Settings
mp_maxrounds 30
mp_roundtime 1.5
mp_freezetime 0
mp_buytime 0
mp_give_player_c4 0
The plugin handles most game state automatically, but these settings reinforce the right behavior.
How Rounds Play Out
- Round starts — bomb is placed at a random site (or weighted toward a configured distribution)
- Ts spawn in post-plant positions around the site (corners, angles, off-site)
- CTs spawn and push in to retake
- CTs win by defusing; Ts win by holding until time expires
- No buy phase, no planting — the round begins with the post-plant scenario already set
Player Count Recommendations
Retakes scales well with 5v5 up to 10v10. Beyond that, sites get crowded and the game devolves into chaos. Most retakes servers cap at 10 players (5 per team) or 16 players max.