Retake Servers: xplay vs Competition (What’s Faster?)

TL;DR

For retake mode in CS2, several factors are crucial: tickrate, ping, and server stability. Tests show that xplay provides lower ping and more consistent performance than most competitors. This makes it the ideal choice for players focused on speed and improving their skills in retake mode.

Counter-Strike 2 is one of the most popular shooters, and Retake mode has become a key way to train reaction time and teamwork. Success here depends on speed: who reaches a position first, who makes decisions faster, and who performs accurately at critical moments.

However, the outcome is influenced not only by player skill. The quality of the server is just as important: stable ping, high tickrate, and minimal delays directly affect the result of each round.

If you are not familiar with this concept, read the article Is CS2 128 Tick? Tick Rate System Explained.

Players can choose from a variety of hosting sites, from large platforms to local services. Among them, xplay stands out by offering high speed and stability. In this article, we’ll compare xplay.gg retake servers with competitors to see which one is faster and more reliable.

What are Retake Servers?

Retake is a popular mode in CS2 where players practice situations after the bomb has been planted. One team defends the bomb while the other team tries to defuse it. Retake servers were created specifically for this mode. 

On these servers, rounds move faster, players are constantly engaged in skirmishes, and they can practice key skills such as taking positions, coordinated team movement, timing, and shooting under pressure. For competitive players and enthusiasts, it's a convenient way to train, while for casual players, it offers a dynamic alternative to classic matches.

We've already talked about retake in the blog: Retake Strategies: How to Effectively Play on Retake.

What is Important for CS2 Retake Servers

Tickrate and its impact on gameplay

Tickrate determines how many times per second the server updates information about player actions. The higher the tickrate, the more accurately shots, movements, and interactions are transmitted. In retake mode, even a fraction of a second can decide the outcome of a round.

Ping and server location

Ping shows the delay between a player's actions and their reflection on the server. The closer the data center is to the player, the lower the delay. Stable low ping is a crucial factor in fast-paced modes where reactions are measured in milliseconds.

Stability and lag protection

Even with high tickrate and low ping, servers can experience lags or brief drops. Stable infrastructure and protection from overloads help maintain a fair environment where outcomes depend solely on the players, not technical issues.

Additional factors

Modern retake servers often offer plugins for convenient round starts, team balancing, and custom settings. Anti-cheat protection is also essential to ensure fair play in open modes.

Popular Retake Servers in CS2

FACEIT Community Retake Servers

FACEIT is well known for its matchmaking servers, but the community also hosts separate retake servers. Their main advantage is the large player base and well-established FACEIT infrastructure. FACEIT servers use a skill-based matchmaking system, which matches players with opponents of similar skill levels. The platform is known for low latency and professional moderation, ensuring stable and fair gameplay.

FACEIT is ideal for competitive players seeking a controlled and high-quality environment.

Cybershoke Retake Servers

Cybershoke is a popular CS2 training platform that offers a variety of retake servers, focusing on classic maps such as de_mirage, de_dust2, and de_nuke. It is one of Europe's most popular training platforms and the CIS. Their retake servers provide high player activity, custom plugins, a rating system, and frequent updates. Special servers are available with pistols only, for players who want to improve their pistol skills.

The main drawback is high server load, sometimes affecting ping and stability during peak hours. Some users report limited admin activity, which may allow cheaters to appear on the servers.

ESportal Retake Servers

ESportal Retake Servers is a European platform for players looking to improve their CS2 Retake mode skills. It provides a structured and competitive training environment for beginners and experienced players. 

In addition to Retake, ESportal offers other game modes such as Casual and Competitive, allowing players to diversify their training experience.

The main disadvantages of ESportal Retake Servers are related to the geographical concentration of the audience in Europe, which can lead to high ping for players from other regions, and the need to register to access the servers.

Benefits of Retake Servers xplay.gg

Xplay.gg is a CS2 training platform offering various game modes, including Retake, Deathmatch, and Duels. It is aimed at players looking to improve their skills in an environment similar to real-life matches.

The platform offers a variety of maps for Retake mode, allowing players to choose the right conditions for practicing. Read how to connect to the servers in the article: How to Play Community Servers CS2.

Wide Server Geography

Xplay.gg has many servers in different regions of the world—Europe, the USA, Asia, Russia, and India. This ensures minimal ping for players regardless of location, critical for shooting accuracy and response in CS2. Fast server response allows you to practice and play without lag, especially in Retake mode, where every millisecond can affect the outcome of a round.

High Tickrate and Stability After Updates

xplay servers maintain a high tickrate, which ensures the most accurate and responsive gameplay. After major CS2 updates, the platform recovers its servers faster than its competitors, allowing players to get back into the game without forced technical downtime. 

In fact, xplay was the first in the world to restore its servers after the recent major CS2 update, giving players access to new features and maps immediately after release. We wrote an article about it: Latest CS2 Update — Only xplay.gg Is Fully Running.

Flexibility and Customization

Players can join an existing server or create an open or private server. 

When creating a server, advanced settings are available: number of bots, map selection, frequency of custom rounds (eco, force, full buy), maximum number of rounds, and even fan modes like wallhack, infinite ammo, or bunny hop. This flexibility allows you to train in real match conditions and entertaining scenarios.

Variety of Game Modes and Scenarios

xplay.gg servers offer dynamic and realistic Retake scenarios that help to improve teamwork, reaction, and tactical thinking. You can choose between standard rounds for serious practice and experimental settings to hone unusual moves and buffs, making the training process fun and effective at the same time.

Player Support

The platform provides 24/7 support through built-in communication channels and a ticket system. Users can promptly get help with connectivity issues, server setup, and game problems. The xplay team actively responds to requests and monitors the quality of the servers, ensuring a high level of service for players of all levels.

Comparison of Servers' Speed and Stability for Reatke

• Xplay.gg shows the fastest response and high FPS stability, especially after major CS2 updates.
• FACEIT and ESportal offer high stability and a professional environment, but ping depends on the player's region.
• Cybershoke and WarmupServer give sufficient stability for training, but lags and low tickrate can be experienced during peak hours.

Conclusion

xplay.gg servers provide an excellent environment for CS2 players, characterized by high stability, a diverse range of server locations, elevated tick rates, and prompt responses following updates. The platform also allows for flexible customization of game rounds and server settings. 

For players who prioritize speed, stability, customization, and the capability to jump into games shortly after updates, xplay.gg stands out as the top choice. Conversely, those interested in engaging with an international community or participating in professional tournaments might want to explore alternatives like FACEIT or ESportal. 

Ultimately, the decision regarding which server to use should take into account regional availability, training objectives, and personal preferences regarding competition levels. However, for most amateur and semi-professional players, Retake on xplay.gg offers a combination of essential advantages that enhances their gaming experience.