The iconic and definitive FPS Counter-Strike has definitely made waves over the years. Since its first outing two decades ago, Counter-Strike has been the go-to shooter series for PC players. Attaining over 1 million concurrent players earlier this year, this beast of a game is stronger than ever.
Considered one of the best shooter franchises of all time (and being banned in some countries historically), Counter-Strike's latest iteration, Global Offensive, is still every bit as important and influential as it ever was. Its iconic lineup of weaponry has shifted a bit over the years, but in general, there have always been guns that are considered must-haves for competitive play, while others have been dismissed as a total waste of time (and valuable in-game funds). Today, we'll go over some of each.
Updated April 24th, 2021 by Emma Majoros:Â CS:GO, being one of the most successful FPS games of all time, understandably has a giant fan base. Throughout the evolution of the game, new maps, skins, and weapons have been introduced, each one with a unique style and feel. Some of these were considered to be a success, and some were unfortunate flops. Whichever the case, in this list, both categories will shine, as we go over the best and worst weapons in the franchise.
10 Â BEST: AK-47
The AK-47 is an icon both inside and outside of the game, and is most definitely a fan favorite. It sells at a decent price point, is capable of one-shotting armored opponents with a solid strike to the head, and is incredibly accurate for those that have mastered tap-firing.
It's an all-rounder, landing accurate and deadly long-range shots while maintaining manageable recoil for closer encounters. CT players will notoriously pick these up off of fallen enemies in over their team-specific analog, the M4A4.
9 WORST:Â CZ75-Auto
While its damage and accuracy aren't bad, the CZ75 fails as an automatic. The bullet count doesn't support the fire rate, therefore it can prove to be useless as an automatic weapon, leaving fans disappointed in the final product.
Its recoil is ridiculous, making its handling hard, and taking the quality of the weapons itself into consideration, it's not worth the hassle. Of course, this weapon is not a giant fail, it's perfectly usable, but more experienced players will soon realize that most of the time it's in fact, useless.
8 BEST: M4A4
While not as powerful as the AK-47, the M4A4 occupies a similar niche as it does, being the CT side's go-to jack-of-all-trades weapon.
Where the AK is a sledgehammer, the M4's more of a scalpel due to its incredible accuracy. It doesn't pack the same punch, but it's every bit as deadly and lends itself well to firing in short, controlled bursts at mid-range.
7 WORST: PP-Bizon
Any pro Counter-Strike player will tell you that damage, armor penetration, and accuracy make a gun. Lacking practically all of these, the PP-Bizon doesn't have much to offer aside from its outrageous 64 round magazine capacity, which is a lot even for an SMG. Unfortunately, it really doesn't offset the drawbacks here. Having so many bullets to spare isn't much of a benefit when you have such a hard time killing anything with them.
6 Â BEST: AWP
The AWP is practically the franchise mascot. This classic one-shot showstopper has been the bane of many servers, and the boon of any player that has taken the time to master it. Everyone knows and either loves or fears its trademark firing sound.
Practice makes perfect, as the sniper's adage of "one shot, one kill" rings entirely true here. However, it fails to mention that missing that "one shot" can have catastrophic results. This bolt action rifle has a significant cooldown between shots that needs to be taken into account, but a skilled player can practically run-and-gun with this monster, proving unstoppable even in close-quarters.
5 WORST: MAC-10
This submachine gun is one of the cheapest guns the terrorist team can buy. However, its price tag comes with baggage, like having really bad recoil, weak armor penetration, and only being remotely handy in close quarters. The MAC-10's accuracy is abysmal by most accounts.
It'll work if you can't afford something else, by sheer virtue of being a gun. However, you're likely better off banking your money and roughing it for one round so you can pick up something a bit more practical during the next buy.
4 BEST:Â M4A1-S
If not for the M4A4, the M4A1-S would be the best rifle for the CT side, bar none. An added bonus is the fact that it's silenced, and its handling is amazing. It has close to no recoil, making it one of the best long-range rifles in the game.
And although its fire rate and smaller magazine make the M4A4 king of the jungle, this weapon is a close second, and because of its easier handling, a better start for newcomers, after which they can upgrade to the better-known M4A4.
3 WORST: Dual Berettas
Few things look as cool as dual-wielding handguns. Unfortunately, that's probably the biggest selling point on going with Dual Berettas. It falls short in practically every other aspect.
You do get a generous pool of ammunition per reload, which is a merit on its own. But poor accuracy and unremarkable damage generally make this one a pass when there are far more reliable sidearms available for purchase.
2 BEST: Desert Eagle
The Desert Eagle, also mocked as the "Deagle", is an incredibly cheap pistol that gets the job done. It's known throughout the game as the great equalizer. The Deagle is one of the very few weapons capable of a one-shot kill, and when used properly, is entirely capable of winning a round on its own.
Skilled players can win an entire game they have no right to win, with just this beast in their arsenal. However, missing a shot can be fatal, as as a defensive weapon, it has close to no legs to stand on. It's surely a make-or-break weapon, and those who used it once just can't get enough of it.
1 WORST: M249
Plainly stated, the M249 isn't the best LMG in the game. Compared to the Negev, it really doesn't hold up despite its monstrous stopping power. It also has a smaller magazine size, which really doesn't help its case any. The last, and likely most damaging consideration is its incredibly high price tag, generally making it an unwise buy unless the player truly has funds to spare.