It is very common to find players in online games that do not communicate at all. In some games, that is perfectly acceptable. But not doing it in such a highly competitive game as Counter-Strike is troubling. Lack of communication can be one reason why you lost that important match.

You will find these types of players the most in Valve’s official matchmaking but expect them even in high level PUG’s services such as FaceIt and ESEA. This article will serve as a reminder that it is not the end of the world when you find a player that does not communicate, and neither is it an instantly lost game. I will write some tips for you to have in mind.

One of the most important tip I can give you is do not feel that you need to compensate for the lack of communication from your team and/or do everything alone. Counter-Strike is a team game, so trying to play alone is going to make your winning chances even slimmer. Everyone has that game where you win the game all by yourself but that is not going to happen every time, which means you need to adapt to every and each situation. Even when someone is not actively communicating, remember that they are still present in the match collecting all the information. You will find players that will follow the calls made by the team and others that it will look like they’re not even hearing anything. What I’m trying to convey here is that you should try to adapt to them as much as possible, without messing up your own game. Try to help him trade those risky peeks he does, drop him weapons when he needs if you have enough funds for both, etc. Above all, do not expect your team play attempts to be returned – but never stop doing them.

Another thing to improve your odds is to study his game style. This tip is somehow related to the previous one, because you only adapt to someone’s game style after studying and understanding it. You should be looking for the positions he plays, how he plays them (if aggressive, passive or even a mix of those styles), the way he utilises his utility, and other small factors you might find important for the match and map at hand. While you should adapt your game and utility to compensate for the lack of communication and even skill of your teammate, it is important to remember that you should not run away from your comfort zone. Don’t try to overcompensate, as that will surely lead to a poorer performance from you.

It might tilt you hard to get shot from a position that your teammate was holding because you did not receive a simple call but remember to stay calm and focused. Getting mad and tilted can make you play carelessly and commit mistakes you wouldn’t otherwise do. In the possibility you’re defending a site with that teammate you will have to pay extra attention not only to the spot you’re holding but also to his movements. Depending on the situation, I feel that there is no need to be overly cautious with his playing but at least pay attention to when he dies and if you will be showing yourself to the position he was holding. One thing you can do is to try to play a more conservative game style to avoid showing yourself to the position your teammate is holding.

You should remember that you are not the only player in the server dealing with that problem during a game. The rest of your team is also trying to circumvent the problem in their own ways. You can try to make the best of it by communicating with them not only your calls but also the ones you get from analysing your teammate. Yes, you will be in a harder position in the entirety of the match but think of it as a way to improve your game sense – paying attention to different parts of the map that you’re not directly interacting can improve your ability to read your opponents and their plays.

Before finishing up this article, I want to emphasize a very important aspect of your matches with this kind of issue: take responsibility for your actions. There is nothing you can do to make your teammate communicate if he simply does not want to, so there is also no need to get mad or even throw the game yourself while blaming others. Remember that you will not win all the matches you play even if you have the most communicative team in the world. Don’t blame your own mistakes on your teammate and above all, don’t criticize or even flame him when you die because of a call that could have come (but didn’t) – that will surely trigger a bad reaction from your teammate which could cause him to simply don’t care about the match and throw it. Be patient and play your own game.

Don’t misinterpret what I’m saying – the problem is not you. The problem is the player who is playing a competitive game and does not want to communicate. Maybe one day they will understand how important communication is in Counter-Strike. What I’m saying is that you should aim to do the best you can do while being handicapped for the entirety of the match.

Keep your head cool in the games you lose and try again: you may win the next game with the same player and with the same lack of communication. Use these games as a way to improve your own skill. Try to make your teammate understand how important it is to use a microphone and what differences it can make in the outcome of the rounds and matches. You may never play with them again, but other people will: if everyone would do their small part maybe we will eventually run less and less into this problem.

As I always say, remember that the most important is to have fun. After all, you’re playing a game. Sure, it is not “just” a game but there is no point to make your day worse because of people you don’t even know. Get out there and have fun!

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