Sniper rifles in CS2 are the ultimate skill test and are easily the most favorite weapons in virtually all CS2 ranks. Like in other FPS games, most CS2 sniper rifles are powerful high-risk-high-reward weapons, allowing you to take out enemies with a single shot.
Want to play like a pro sniper and take out multiple enemies each round? We’ve got you covered! Here at Skinsmonkey we present our awesome CS2 sniper rifle guide!
Remember, if you ever want to trade CS2 skins for some of the sniper rifles on this list, make sure to visit Skinsmonkey!
What Are CS2 Sniper Rifles?
At the moment there are 4 different sniper rifles available in CS2. These are:
- AWP
- SSG 08 Scout
- G3SG1 (Terrorist unique)
- SCAR-20 (CT unique)
Each sniper rifle in the game is unique and has its own kinks and specialties. A skilled player will be able to use each sniper rifle to its maximum efficiency, however, to be able to dominate other players at long distances it’s crucial to understand each rifle and its capabilities.
Need some extra cash for sniper rifle skins? Make sure to check out our guide on how to sell CS2 skins for real cash!
AWP
What else can be said about the AWP? Possibly the most legendary and popular weapon in the game, it’s the most powerful weapon in the game when it comes to raw firepower. A single shot from the AWP can take out any enemy, even if you hit a fully armored enemy on the body. However, many players forget that if you hit the enemy on the leg or arm, you won’t be able to kill them with a single shot. You’ll still deal significant damage to them though, so they won’t be much of a use in the round. If you want to buy AWP in CS2, you better think it through. At $4750 it is one of the most expensive weapons in the CS2 economy, while also being significantly heavier than other weapons. Another issue with the AWP is its low rate of fire and long reload time after each shot. This means that if you miss and get spotted, you’re a sitting duck for the enemy fire. The worst case scenario is that you purchase an AWP during force buy rounds, don’t kill anyone, and your enemy picks it up. This can easily ruin the entire match for your side, which is why team play is crucial for becoming a pro AWP player.
AWP also has some of the best skins in the game. Check out our top list of the most expensive AWP skins in CS2!
SSG 08 Scout
Less popular than other choices on this list, SSG 08 is the cheapest sniper rifle in the game, available for as low as $1700. Although it’s significantly weaker than other weapons in this category, its cheap price makes it a good alternative to an SMG in the early rounds if you want to play around with a sniper rifle. While it has a low price, it’s also significantly weaker than other sniper rifles. SSG 08 can’t kill with a single body shot, but it’s capable of instant kills from headshots, even against fully armored opponents. It’s also relatively easy to use without the scope, so if you feel like you’re a good enough sniper, the SSG 08 can be a great choice early and mid-game.
If you’re a fan of the Scout, make sure to check out our list of the best SSG 08 skins!
G3SG1
One of the big guns in CS2, G3SG1 is the Terrorist variant of the auto sniper weapon, commonly referred to by CS2 players as the Auto. At $5000 it’s the most expensive weapon in the game, meaning that most of the time it’s only purchased at later stages of the match. With high damage output and one of the highest armor penetration stats in the game, all you need is one or two body shots, even against armored targets, to score a kill. G3SG1 requires less accuracy than the previous weapons on this list, but it also includes two zoom modes, which allow you to easily snipe at different distances. It’s also capable of fast zooms, so G3SG1 can be used effectively for quick scoping. However, while it might be powerful, it’s also the heaviest weapon in the game, giving you a significant reduction to movement speed. Although powerful, it’s not a popular weapon, considering that it requires you to spend almost all of your money to purchase. While it packs a serious punch, most of the time you’re better off buying weapons for your teammates.
Check out our top list of the best G3SG1 skins in CS2!
SCAR-20
SCAR-20 is the CT variant of the auto sniper rifle. Stat-wise, it’s nearly identical to G3SG1, with all of its strengths and flaws. One advantage it has over the Terrorist version is a faster reload time. Other than that, SCAR-20 is essentially the same as its Terrorist counterpart.
It also has different weapon skins. Check out our top list of the best SCAR-20 skins in CS 2!
Sniper Rifle Guide
Want to improve your CS2 sniper rifle gameplay? Here’s our comprehensive guide on how to become a better player!
Learn The Maps
Besides a general game sense, the most important thing you need to keep in mind while using sniper rifles is general map knowledge. Although the basic sniper rifle gameplay stays the same, it’s crucial to know all the sniper spots on each map, if you want to be an asset to your team. Almost every map has certain designated sniper spots, which will allow you to take out enemies at a long distance. Likewise, it’s important to know where your enemies can be coming from, so that you can take a position and immediately take out any enemy player that pops in your sights.
Pay Attention To Your Team’s Economy
Sniper rifles, other than the SSG 08, are some of the most expensive weapons in the game. While everyone wants to feel like the pro players and make some big plays, you should always consider first if your team can afford an expensive sniper rifle. There’s a chance that instead of snipers your team might need CS2 assault rifles. While it might be cool to show off your AWP skills with the rifle’s one-shot kill potential, it’s not the best idea when you’re playing an eco round or your teammates can’t afford their guns.
Stay Cool
One of the most important things to keep in mind while using sniper rifles is to play calmly. Skilled players use their long-range accuracy for holding angles and controlling the map. This requires you to stay cool while shooting, otherwise, you’re prone to missing, and with most rifles, once you fire a shot, you immediately give away your position, and this significantly lowers your chances of scoring further kills.
Don’t Stay In The Same Spot
While snipers in CS2 are mostly synonymous with campers, you’ll find that moving around the map with your sniper rifle is actually the better choice. While sniper rifles are great for map control, particularly when playing on the CT side, they are even more useful when you’re moving with your teammates to cover them during firefights. Also, camping with a sniper rifle isn’t really a good idea, since most of them fire very loud shots that can be heard almost anywhere on the map, meaning that it will be immediately clear to everyone that there’s a sniper on the map.
In Conclusion
Here is everything you need to know about sniping in Counter Strike 2. If you enjoyed this guide, make sure to check out the rest of our blog, where we regularly post tips, tricks and guides for CS2! Also, check out our giveaways for real free CS2 skins!
A true gaming enthusiast, especially Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Rust. At SkinsMonkey, he is involved in creating game guides based on his own experience.
