Counter-Strike 2
Valorant
What Is a Retake in CS2 and Valorant?
When defenders move back onto a bombsite after the bomb or Spike is planted, to kill the attackers and defuse in time.
What is a retake?
A retake is when the defending team moves back onto a bombsite after the attackers have planted the bomb (CS2) or the Spike (Valorant). The defenders have to clear the site and defuse before the timer runs out, while the attackers try to hold their post-plant positions.
Timers that shape every retake
| CS2 | Valorant | |
|---|---|---|
| Time from plant to explosion | 40 seconds | 45 seconds |
| Defuse time | 10 seconds, 5 with a defuse kit | 7 seconds, with progress saved at the halfway point |
Defenders need enough time to fight their way in and finish the defuse, so a retake that starts too late is lost even if every duel is won.
How to retake well
- Group up first. Retaking one by one hands the attackers easy kills.
- Save utility for the retake: smokes, flashes and abilities to clear post-plant positions.
- Clear angles together and trade each other instead of rushing to the bomb.
- Use the defuse as a tool. A quick tap on the defuse can bait an attacker into peeking.
When to save instead
If there is not enough time or too few players left, saving weapons for the next round can be the better choice. A lost retake that throws away rifles also hurts the next buy.
Example
The attackers plant on B with four players alive. Your three remaining defenders wait for each other, smoke the main entrance, flash the site together and retake it in a coordinated push, leaving time for a safe defuse.
When only one defender is left, the retake becomes a clutch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a ninja defuse?
Defusing the bomb or Spike while attackers are still alive but do not notice, usually by sneaking past them or under a smoke.
Is it better to retake or to stop the plant?
It depends on the setup. Some teams play retakes on purpose, giving up a site and coming back with utility and numbers instead of holding it with too few players.