blameF on MR12: I'm in Favour of Change, But…

August 23, 2023

Not long after Valve unveiled an update to the Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test on August 18th, a leak emerged on "X" that hinted at a possible transition to a Max Round 12 (MR12) setting as the default in competitive matchmaking, replacing the current Max Round 15.

While nothing has been officially confirmed, this shift doesn't appear unlikely, especially in light of the recent update.

blameF: The transition to MR12 would have significant implications. Choosing between a full eco or force-buy round would become even more strategic.

MR12 could lead to faster and more dynamic games. It changes various aspects of the game, including economic management, strategic approach, and the significance of individual rounds.

Losing a single round can have a more substantial impact on the match's outcome. With MR12 in effect, the game's economy would be more crucial. However, one may assume that Valve would make corresponding adjustments to the economic system.

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This week both b0RUP and coach casle will share their thoughts on MR12 too!

blameF: Every round would gain greater importance

The in-game leader on the main team, Benjamin "blameF" Bremer, was asked about his opinion on MR12. He discussed whether he would appreciate such an update in effect should it become a reality when CS2 drops and takes over the competitive scene.

- In-game, the transition to MR12 would have significant implications. Choosing between a full eco or force-buy round would become even more strategic. Losing a round after a force buy, especially in the second round, would be exceptionally costly.

- Missteps in economic decisions would be less forgivable, with every round gaining greater importance and intensifying the thrill of the match.

- If you lose the pistol round and fail a force-buy in the second round, a full eco-round would be inevitable, leaving you trailing 3-0. That's a quarter of the rounds in a half!

In the MR12 format, each match half would comprise just 12 rounds, making for a total of 24 rounds in a game.
MR12 was used in earlier versions of Counter-Strike but fell out of favour as the competitive scene developed and standardized around MR15.

blameF: Management of the team's economy would be vital

- Management of the team's economy would be vital. Reckless spending of weapons would be risky.

- Pursuing exit frags would be calculated based on the team's financial situation. Alternatively, taking weapons from opponents could be a strategic play if the economy is weak. Suddenly, each round would carry decisive weight.

- This alteration would add a new, intense layer to the game but could backfire if mishandled. Running a full eco-round with only 12 rounds in half might not be ideal.

- I'm in favour of MR12, even though adjusting to such a scoreline as winning a half 7-5 might initially feel strange. It will undoubtedly take time to acclimate to this change fully.

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