Premier Mode vs. FACEIT: a detailed review of the platforms — where is it better to play?
Premier Mode vs. FACEIT: a detailed review of the platforms — where is it better to play?
Premier Mode or FACEIT is perhaps the hottest topic for discussion in the esports community today. Greetings to all fans of competitive shooters on the pages of the official CSGO-NEWS blog! With a massive game update, developers from Valve presented us with a completely reworked built-in matchmaking system, which was supposed to be the ultimate solution for all players. However, the cult third-party platform hasn’t disappeared anywhere and continues to gather a huge online player base.
Where should an average gamer direct their efforts? Is it worth conquering the built-in leaderboards, or is it better to immediately install the third-party client? In this extensive article, we will break down in detail the pros and cons of both platforms according to the most important criteria.
Anti-cheat: the main pain of the community
Let’s start with the most fundamental aspect that worries every honest player — protection from unfair users.
The built-in VAC Live uses artificial intelligence technologies and is constantly learning. The developers have done a tremendous job so that the system can cancel matches right during the game if it detects suspicious activity. However, despite all the improvements, the built-in protection periodically fails, letting violators into high-rating lobbies.
On the other hand, the FACEIT Anti-Cheat has been considered the gold standard of esports for many years. This is a client program that integrates deeply into your computer’s system at the kernel level. Bypassing such protection is incredibly difficult. If you want to be one hundred percent absolutely sure of your opponents’ honesty, then the third-party platform wins an unconditional victory here.
Rating system and motivation
When wondering what to choose: Premier Mode or FACEIT, you definitely need to evaluate the progression systems.
Valve implemented a global rating leaderboard. Your level is now measured by specific numbers (from zero to thirty thousand and above), and every five thousand points change the color of your emblem. This is a very visual and colorful system. You always see the global leaderboard, you can compare yourself with friends or players from your region. The process of gaining points is transparent: you see in advance how many points you will get for a win and how many you will lose in case of a defeat.
The FACEIT system uses the classic Elo formula. Players are distributed by levels (Levels) from 1 to 10. The tenth level has historically been the entry ticket to big esports. It is here that you can get into closed leagues (FPL-C and FPL) and be noticed by scouts of professional organizations. Valve’s built-in ladder does not yet provide such a direct path to the esports scene.
Server quality and technical part
The implementation of the sub-tick system in official matchmaking was supposed to equalize the players’ chances and make hit registration perfect regardless of the servers. And it must be admitted, official Valve servers began to work significantly better compared to previous years. The geography of data centers is huge, which allows finding matches with minimal ping.
However, the servers of the third-party platform still feel more stable for professionals. The matter is in fine-tuning, improved traffic routing, and dedicated capacities. In addition, on FACEIT, teams have the opportunity to veto (ban) servers before the start of the match during the voting process, choosing the most optimal location for both sides.
Audience, atmosphere, and level of play
Another crucial factor in the dispute about Premier Mode or FACEIT is the contingent of players you will have to communicate with.
Built-in matchmaking attracts absolutely everyone. There are many casual players here who log in to relax after work. In such lobbies, you often come across teammates without microphones, people who do not know basic grenade lineups (utility/nades), or those who simply do not want to try hard. The atmosphere here is more relaxed, but the level of tactical interaction often leaves much to be desired.
The third-party platform is a place for so-called “tryhards”. People come there exclusively to win. Almost everyone has microphones, players know complex smokes and are ready for team interactions. But this coin has a flip side: the level of toxicity here can be off the charts. The price of a mistake is high, and teammates can react harshly to your blunder in a crucial round.
Verdict from CSGO-NEWS
Summing up our massive breakdown, the CSGO-NEWS blog team is ready to deliver its verdict.
When choosing what is better for you — Premier Mode or FACEIT, base it on your global goals. If your task is simply to enjoy the game in the company of friends, collect beautiful digital rating badges, and not bother with downloading third-party software, then Valve’s built-in matchmaking will become your ideal home.
But if you strive to develop as an esports athlete, want to play in the strictest possible conditions, with a reliable anti-cheat and highly motivated teammates, your path definitely lies to the third-party platform. Practice your shooting, stay calm in any situation, and win together with us!
