How to Use the AWP in CS2 Right? Tips to Be a Pro With AWP

Even a good team can’t operate without a skillful AWPer, which we saw happen with Cloud9 at IEM Katowice 2024. As the most efficient long-range weapon, the fans-adored sniper rifle gives you a huge competitive advantage with its one-shot kills.

However, not everybody has what it takes to truly master AWP. Dare to try? Then, here are some tips on mastering the AWP in Counter-Strike 2 and becoming a pro sniper for your team.

What Are the Best Cases of Using the AWP in Counter-Strike?

s1mple was amazing at insane flick shots, f0rest left his mark in history with legendary clutches, and coldzera landed impressive kills while jumping. A few decently timed sniper shots can win you a round, but for that, you need to understand when and how to use the CS2 AWP.

First things first, the weapon is renowned for its unmatched killing power. If you have sufficient shooting skills, the AWP will enable you to deny key sites without even being there. One precise shot, one guaranteed frag—even if your vis-à-vis is armored. Wallbanging also works wonders in such cases, by the way.

AWPers familiar with the rifle’s unique tricks are among the most feared players in the game. Sure, you can outshoot a sniper with standard rifles or get a chance at retribution if they miss, but you’ll need either a god-like aim or a lot of luck to pull that off. In most cases, pro AWPers will hit you first, so most players are scared to get into their “crosshair.” No wonder eight out of top 20 players in HLTV’s 2023 rating are AWPers.

So, let’s analyze the scenarios where AWP can truly shine as your prime weapon. Let’s have a quick glance at the rifle’s stats:

Rounds: 5-bullet magazine (30 reserves overall)

Reload time: 3.7 seconds

Cost: $4,750 (for both sides)

Damage:

1. headshot—448 (unarmored) / 459 (armored)
2. bodyshot—112 / 115 (depending on the distance)
3. legshot—85

Movement speed with the rifle: 200 units | 100 with a scope on

Inaccuracy while running: 257.48

Time to kill: instantly (from 2.5 to 30 meters)

Operating long-distance

The AWP is perfect for getting rid of your enemies from afar. You can aim across the entire map, preventing or supporting pushes. The weapon’s long-range accuracy is mind-blowing if you know how to aim it right.

Protecting specific map locations

Whether it’s holding the middle and ramp or locking down plants, the AWP enables you to cover large chunks of the battlefield at once. If you find yourself on a map with a lot of open space, it’s time to master the AWP to make your opponents shiver wherever they step into the open.

Winning clutches or retakes

Aside from f0rest, numerous other professional CS2 players (nawwk, FalleN, sh1ro, and others) are consistently winning clutches with the AWP and a pistol. We saw it at IEM Katowice and PGL RMR Copenhagen in 2024. Using the AWP in Counter-Strike 2 to retake a bomb site can also boost your chances of winning (once again, if you know what you’re doing).

Holding angles and off-angles

If you have a good idea of how spawn points work, you’ll be able to score crucial entry frags while holding angles. If you’re more of an aggressive sniper, surprising enemies at off-angles will also do the trick.

15 Guide Tips on How to Shoot an AWP Effectively

This sniper rifle is iconic, and mastering the AWP in CS2 can make you one of the most treasured players on your team. So, with all the talk about skill and knowledge out of the way, what do you really need to practice to excel? Precision, stress tolerance, and gun control are the key proficiencies you should focus on first. Here are our top tips for learning how to AWP in CS2 like a true pro.

Tips to aim the AWP

1. Aim right

Surprisingly, the best way to AWP in CS2 isn’t aiming at your opponent’s head, but rather aim at a body level and let them come to you. ZywoO and s1mple might go straight for a headshot, but if you’re just starting your pro career, this tactic will likely result in missing a shot and giving away your position. Neck, chest, or stomach—those bodyshots will get you where you need to be just as well as hitting the head.

2. Control angles and off-angles

Aiming at the angles is typically the first thing you see in guides on how to use AWP in CS2. Here’s an important tip—don’t place your crosshair strictly an inch from the presumed angle. Move a bit to the side, just slightly to the point where an enemy’s model might appear after jumping, for example. It’ll give you an advantage of catching opponents off-guard.

When you carry the AWP to default positions, though, always try holding off-angles instead to be unpredictable and avoid getting pre-fired. Trying to hold the same angles every round is a big mistake.

3. Zoom fast

If you’re learning how to use the AWP like a pro, you should train aiming and pre-aim as fast as physically possible. Train to scope and double-scope in mere seconds, both while moving and stationary.

4. React quickly

Fast reaction times are essential to stay alive after you’ve missed a shot. And it will happen more often than not, especially if you’re new to the game. So, learn how to play with the AWP passively or aggressively, depending on the situation you face. As a rule, you must always stay focused and agile enough to fall back. The rifle is heavy, so when retreating, immediately switch to your pistol to speed up and avoid retaliation. Don’t go for a knife—this move killed enough pro players during PGL RMR Copenhagen!

5. Know the maps and positioning

AWPers empower their teams with a tactical boost, so map awareness and knowledge are as crucial as your aim. You can’t just stand wherever you like, scope in, and hope for the better. It doesn’t work like that. Stay vigilant and adjust to what’s happening in the game. You have to know the common sniper spots and where your escape routes are if you need to rotate.

Positioning is also a key skill because you must be both safe and flexible enough to peek or counter-peek. It’s vital to change your positions regularly, especially after landing frags. Always go for the spots that will take enemies by surprise, and stay aware of how you can quickly run away without being ambushed (long corridors, corners, boxes, connectors, and high grounds).

Tips to shoot the AWP

1. Flickshooting

While exposed to several enemies, your only chance of surviving is flicking, either horizontally or vertically. So, gain some experience with flicking, practice this skill, and you’ll be able to play with the AWP as a professional in no time.

2. Quick-scoping

If you are wondering how to master AWP in CS2, get proficient at quick-scoping—the art of aiming and shooting almost instantly. Due to the lack of vision when you’re scoped in, you’ll have to move around the map in a no-scope mode, so quick-scoping is essential for scoring kills.

3. No-scoping

In close combat, scoping won’t do you any good 99% of the time. Instead, aim to master no-scoping to stay deadly in situations where there is no time to switch weapons. You can read more on how to no-scope in CS2 in this article.

4. Standing still

The AWP’s main disadvantage is that you can’t hit the target while running or walking. So, make sure you stop to get a clear scope before firing. A trick to stop abruptly is pressing the opposite key(s) in the middle of your movement and waiting for a split second before shooting.

5. Strafing

The lack of movement could get you killed, too. So, how to practice AWP in CS2 without being killed too early? Pro snipers must remain mobile, exercising strafing and counter-strafing. Shoot and strafe—this is the way.

6. Overpeeking

This is what you want to avoid. If you've missed your shot, don’t re-peek again, as you’ll only expose yourself even more. If you do, you’re as good as dead since the enemies now know where you are.

7. Reloading strategically

The AWP has a substantial reload time of 3.7 seconds, so you better make those shots count Can you survive 3.7 seconds of exposure? It might be better to take cover to reload. Also, by quickly switching to a knife and then back to the AWP, you'll cut the reloading time by half.

8. Remaining cold-blooded

Another tip to improve your shooting skills—panic is your worst enemy when you play with the AWP. There will be high-pressuring situations, but you must stay calm, controlling your breathing and arm movements just as real snipers do.

9. Pixel shooting

Pro AWPers like kennyS or m0nesy look for pixel shots. It’s a trick of firing at just a pixel of an opponent’s body. Fast peeking (jiggle peeking) is also a good option to pre-fire with quick-scope or no-scope.

10. Master other weapons and utilities

No-scoping won’t always be enough to save you, and your team’s economy won’t always be good enough to provide you with an AWP. So, you better get accustomed to shooting other weapons, especially pistols. Don’t get tunnel vision by over-focusing on sniping skills, and always try to make the best out of what you have.

Conclusion

With adequate game sense, some tips and tricks, and a lot of persistence, you might one day become the next ZywoO or s1mple. One last thing, though, before we wrap up this guide on how to train the AWP in CS2. You must actually train, mate! Like, a lot. Watch demos of professional CS2 snipers and practice daily shooting routines on Steam’s aim training maps, in deathmatches, and in the Arms Race. And we wish you best of luck in your matches!

P.S. Looking for superb sniper rifle skins? Here are the 12 best AWP skins in CS2.