How to Shoot With Deagle in CS2

The Desert Eagle (often referred to as “Deagle”) is a balanced pistol that packs a surprisingly strong punch for its class. Boasting remarkable damage and armor penetration stats, this firearm can help you in situations where you’re forced to fall back on small pistols.

At the same time, it’s among the most difficult sidearms to master in the game (excluding R8 Revolver, of course). That’s why we’ve built this CS2 Deagle guide, to break down all the key nuances you need to know if you want to turn into a pistol sniper.

Understanding the Deagle in CS2

Deagle went through a long and challenging journey: Once the beloved weapon in CS1.6, it was almost forgotten during the early CS:GO years, and only closer to CS2’s release did it claw back its legendary status.

Before diving into how to shoot with the Deagle in CS2, let’s run through some basic stats and unpack what they really mean:

Fundamental Techniques for Deagle Accuracy

With the numbers out of the way, let’s keep this CS2 Deagle tutorial rolling with the basic things, so you don’t throw away your $700 investment.

Difference Between Standing and Moving Inaccuracy

As you noticed above, the Desert Eagle is the perfect mix of precision and firepower. However, once you move without letting your crosshair stabilize, it instantly turns into one of the worst guns on the server.

Shooting Speed and Intervals

A limited magazine makes spamming with the Deagle a poor choice, especially up close. It brings another problem — the right interval for shooting, as ignoring it makes your Deagle useless. Fortunately, it's easy to lock down. All you need to do is follow the rhythm of the Bee Gees' “Stayin' Alive” when pulling the trigger, and you’ll find your sweet spot. Check this video for a visual breakdown:

Recoil Specifics

Unlike many other rifles, such as the AK-47 or M4A1-S, the Deagle’s recoil is random, so there is no real spray pattern to grind. You should simply remember that burst fire is wildly inaccurate even in close duels. Treat each bullet like a commitment.

Crosshair Positioning

Given Deagle’s ability to secure instant kills with headshots, it's essential to position your crosshair at head level while navigating corners. Keep it glued to head level when clearing corners, adjust early, and you’ll always be ready to punish your opponents as soon as they come into view. Therefore, it will be useful to learn in more detail how to aim and pre-aim in CS2 to successfully push this even further.

Advanced Deagle Strategies

If you are serious about how to get good at CS2 and improve your overall skill, mastering how to shoot a Desert Eagle is a non-negotiable must-have point on this path. One-shot killing option for only $700 works at all levels, including a pro stage. Here are some key strategies to get the most out of it:

One-Taps for Long Distances

Looking at the overall accuracy of the Deagle, one can surely say it’s one of the best long-distance weapons in CS2. Indeed, its first bullet is laser-accurate, and with 53 damage, helmets barely matter. However, you should resist the urge to spam and maintain a moderate tempo to let the gun do the work.

Fast Spamming in Close Distances

Spraying should never be your go-to tactic with the Deagle in CS2. However, in desperate situations, like when you’re surprised at point-blank range, it might be your only option. In such cases, instead of aiming for the head, go for the center mass of your target. The chances are that two quick body shots are usually enough to finish the job.

Using Coverage for Shoot-and-Hide

Peaking from corners or playing behind boxes is one of the most effective ways to make the Desert Eagle shine. With its punishing 0.8 second recovery time, every exposed second matters. To stay alive, rely on strafing and counter-strafing or mix it up with shoot-crouch-standup-shoot techniques. When training, pick the best CS aim maps that offer plenty of cover and obstacles so you can practice realistic shoot-and-hide scenarios.

Learning Prefire Spots

With its slow shooting speed and long recovery time, you should always focus on the first bullet. That means learning common headshot positions when peeking corners. Besides, this is a great exercise not only for the Deagle but also for other high-damage weapons like the AK-47. You can even use prefire maps to train these skills.

Turn Eco-Rounds Into Nightmare for Opponents

Now that you know how to use Deagle in CS2, it’s time to turn that knowledge into benefits for your team. Using Desert Eagle in Eco and Force Buy rounds is more of a strategic option thanks to its excellent damage-to-cost ratio. Opting for this loadout gives you a chance to disrupt the enemy's economy in Eco rounds with a few one-shot kills. Additionally, it is a cost-effective weapon that can change the round's outcome during Force Buy when your team has limited funds. All of these features make the Deagle one of the best CS2 pistols for a wide variety of game situations.

Think Like a Sniper

This is more of a concluding element tip among the CS2 Deagle tips. If you enjoy playing with the AWP or SSG 08, you’ll find that the Desert Eagle shares many similarities:

1. Long-range accuracy;
2. Slow reload and recovery time;
3. Small magazine;
4. Shot-and-hide tactics;
5. Very limited use in close-range fights.

Thus, even though it’s a pistol, you should approach the Deagle with a sniper’s mindset. Adapting your habits from sniper play can help you unlock its full potential.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Here are some common mistakes that can turn your $700 powerhouse into nothing:

Wrong Tactics with Deagle

Decided to make a force-buy round on the T-side and rush B Ramp on Ancient or B on Dust 2? Forget the Deagle and pick up a Tec-9s for running power. If you stick with the Deagle, slow the round down, then focus on peeking and prefiring at mid- and long-range angles.

Shooting While Moving

Continuing the previous point, the Desert Eagle is one of the least accurate weapons while moving. Don’t panic, run, and spam, take an extra split-second to aim and land the headshot. Also, never attempt to shoot while jumping, as you won't be able to aim Deagle in CS2 at all at jump apex.

Shooting Without Cover

The long reload and recovery time can quickly flip you from hunter to prey. If you feel that the shootout is close, it’s better to find an object to cover. Having more time between the shots can greatly improve your accuracy and survivability.

Quick Switching

Some players believe that quick switching helps stabilize the crosshair and makes shooting more precise (a technique popularized by “Happy” years ago). In reality, it makes little sense and works only because it forces the necessary 0.8s pause between shots. So, forget about the need to set up binds for CS2 for quick switching, as it won’t give any real advantage during gameplay.

Conclusion

The Desert Eagle is undoubtedly one of the best weapons to use in CS2 and remains a favorite among the majority of players. This pistol is highly popular for its raw power and is especially deadly if you’ve practiced how to use a Desert Eagle in CS2 properly. While pricey, the Deagle delivers impressive decent long-range firepower without taking up your primary slot, making it a solid choice for most roles. This utility makes the pistol ideal for rounds where you’re not strapped for cash and want to press your advantage.