FACEIT is letting CS2 players vote on the knife round — keep it, or start matches on a random side instead. The vote opened on 6 November and closes on 12 November. The winning option will be tested when FACEIT Season 10 starts on 9 December.
The two options
- Keep the knife round: the team that wins it chooses whether to start on T or CT, as it works today
- Remove it: starting sides are assigned at random and the match begins with the first round once everyone has connected
Any player on FACEIT can vote. The change would apply to Free, Premium and Super matchmaking queues. ESEA League keeps its own competitive ruleset, including the knife round, whatever the result.
Why a vote
FACEIT says this is about how a match feels, not balance. Some players treat the knife round as part of competitive Counter-Strike; others see about two minutes of waiting before the first real round. If the result is close to 50/50, FACEIT says it will look at other options.
They will announce the outcome in the days after the vote closes, then monitor feedback before a final implementation. Opening the vote this early gives them time to build whichever option wins before 9 December.
Vote details and FAQ: https://support.faceit.com/hc/en-us/articles/31239345881372-FACEIT-Season-10-Knife-Round-Vote-FAQ
Sources: FACEIT Season 10 Knife Round Vote FAQ, Pley.
Would you scrap the knife round? Tell us on the Veteranii Discord: https://discord.gg/UypruGFcYk
— TyGaNu