I was a solid silver gamer for a few months (been playing about 6 months) and in the past 6 weeks I rose from peak silver 1 to platinum 1. Honestly, there is VERY little difference between silver games and platinum games other than you get more consistent teammates…and consistency is all about decision making (it’s not your aim holding you back).

Here are some basic things I learned in Vod reviewing and watching high-rank comp play that helped me get there (not in particular order):

1.) On defense play in a position that you can fall back from if necessary. 2.) Hold an off-angle any chance you get, never peek a commonly peeked angle at the start of the round. 3.) Play crossfires in post-plant scenarios on attack. 4.) Always hold your crosshair ABOVE what you think head-level is. If you’re like me you instinctively shoot as soon as your crosshair is somewhere on the enemy hitbox so if the first place your crosshair moves is down to their head, boom you win. 5.) Never swing a hero-angle when you hear multiple enemies coming and expect a multi-kill. You will simply get vaporized. 6.) In a 1v1 if the enemy is defusing you do not have to always commit to the fight. Jiggle peeking once and firing your weapon at them will get them off the bomb. 7.) Play in a position where you can trade your teammate. Even if they suck, they are at least like a buffed Yoru decoy that can do damage. 8.) Never say a negative thing on mic, boost morale whenever possible. Congratulate your teammates when they get a kill. It works wonders 9.) Practice dodging flashes with a friend in a custom until you get it perfect, it is worth it. 10.) If the site is clear, plant the bomb in the most ideal location to defend it, usually wide out in the open so it can be peeked from several angles. Learn this ideal spot for every site in the game. 11.) Do your best to never peek an angle holding W. You should be crab-walking sideways 90% of the time so you can counterstrafe as soon as needed. 12.) Peek and clear every single angle as if there is a little rat Cypher hiding in the corner with a judge. If it’s possible someone is there, they probably are.

To all my silver and gold brothers out there, you are fully capable of being in plat or even higher. You have amazing aim, all it takes is consistently setting yourself up in advantageous positions and you’ll be winning more games in no time. Have fun climbing!