Counter-Strike 2 Matchmaking Without Cheaters, Smurfs or Toxicity
An approval-only matchmaking platform where you can play competitive and laid-back 5v5s with adults. Enjoy the competitive map pool, plus the classics like Cache, Train, Cobblestone and more.
Join nowBuilt by a gamer for gamers
Counter-Strike has been part of my life since 2004, when I first started playing Counter-Strike: Source. I created GamingHerd because, as a new Dad, I was tired of wasting precious time dealing with cheaters in Premier and getting griefed by kids on FACEIT. GamingHerd is laid-back while still offering a competitive experience. If you want to enjoy Counter-Strike without the riffraff, join us and check out our Discord. You can learn more about me on LinkedIn or Steam.– Chris aka eagle
Matchmaking with the features that you want
Minimum Requirements
To ensure a seamless and secure gaming experience, we require all users to link their Steam account to our platform.
Here are the minimum requirements you need in order to gain full access to the GamingHerd platform:
Ownership of CS2: Your Steam account must have Counter-Strike 2 in its library.
Public and configured steam profile: Ensure your Steam account is visible and active.
Gameplay Hours: A minimum of 800 hours of gameplay on CS:GO/CS2.
We'll also evaluate your match history, along with data from Leetify and FACEIT if available, to see if you're a good fit for the platform.
Flexible Matchmaking
Our matchmaking system is designed for the solo player or groups of all sizes, not just 5 or 10, but everything in-between.
Teams of any size: Feel free to queue up with any number of players up to 10 or go solo. If you have a squad of 10, once you start queueing, a lobby will automatically be created. Squads of odd sizes (e.g. 6 players) the system will break up the players to create balanced teams.
Democratic & diverse map selection: Each player gets 3 votes to decide on the map to be played. No one individual dictates the map choice. In addition, you'll be able to play on a variety (e.g. Cache, Train, Cobblestone) of maps along with the competitive map pool.
Automatic server location: Each player can pre-configure their preferred server location. The system will automatically select the best server location based on the majority of players in the lobby. If there is a tie, a central server will be used.
Run it back: Once a match is over, each player in the lobby will have the opportunity to vote on playing another match with the same teams. If decided yes, you'll go back through the map vote process.
Get Connected
Connect and communicate with your fellow gamers effortlessly.
Global search: Find gamers on the GamingHerd platform by their GamingHerd username or Steam ID.
Direct messaging: Add friends and chat directly with them.
Squad chat: When you form a squad, chat with all members in the group.
Lobby chat: Communicate with all party members in a lobby once a match is created.
Herd Honor™
Your Herd Honor™ is a visible rating that reflects your engagement with the platform and the quality of interactions as perceived by the community. It serves as a measure of your reputation among fellow gamers.
Elevating your Herd Honor™ is about more than just avoiding negative behavior; it's about actively contributing to a culture of respect, sportsmanship, and mutual support. As your Herd Honor™ grows, so does your role in making the GamingHerd community a better place for everyone.
Provide feedback
At GamingHerd, we believe in the power of community feedback to shape a trustworthy and enjoyable gaming environment. That's why, when your maches have finished, we offer you the opportunity to leave feedback for your fellow gamers. This crucial input directly influences their Herd Honor™, contributing to a safer and more respectful community for everyone.
After submitting feedback for a player, you'll encounter a cooldown period before you can review the same player again. This measure is designed to prevent spamming and ensure that feedback is thoughtful.
Zero Tolerance
We uphold a zero-tolerance policy against cheating, smurfing, and any form of platform abuse. Our stance is firm and non-negotiable to ensure every member enjoys a fair, competitive environment.
We recognize that toxicity can be nuanced, but we are committed to addressing it proactively. Repeated negative feedback from the community can trigger automatic bans. Persistent disregard for our community standards may result in a permanent ban.
Our policies are designed to maintain the integrity of our gaming environment, fostering a space where respect, sportsmanship, and fair play thrive.
Toxic Gaming DB
Toxic Gaming Database
The Toxic Gaming Database (TGDB) is a searchable, public database which documents and exposes players who are cheaters, racists, sexists and/or match throwers. These players will never be allowed to use the GamingHerd platform.
Encounter a toxic player? Act by reporting them on our site, supporting your claim with concrete evidence such as leetify links, FACEIT match links, and videos or screenshots hosted on a 3rd party like imgur or streamable. Each submission is reviewed by our administrators to confirm its authenticity. Verified reports are then made publicly available, promoting transparency and accountability.
View the TGDB