CS2’s loadout system is slightly different than that of CSGO’s. In Global Offensive, weapon switches were only allowed between alternative guns: USP-S and P200, M4A4 and M4A1-S, etc. However, in CS2, players can customize their loadouts, having control over what guns they want to keep in their loadouts or discard. We’ll discuss the best weapons in CS2 and how to organize them into your loadout so you can dominate your next match.
Best Loadout
Now we get to the best loadout. We could do many combinations, but here is our pick.
CS2 Best CT Loadouts
| Pistols | Half-Buy Weapons | Primary / Rifles |
| USP-S (best) | MP9 (best) | M4A4 (best) |
| Desert Eagle (best) | UMP-45 (good) | AWP (best) |
| P250 (good) | P90 (good) | M4A1-S (good) |
| Five-seveN (ok) | Nova (ok) | FAMAS (good) |
| Dual Berettas (ok) | XM1014 (ok) | Scout (ok) |
Starting with the CT loadout, we have the USP-S and Desert Eagle, the pros of which will be discussed below. But the combination of both in your pistol in your arsenal allows for the two best low-cost weapons in the game
The MP9 is the peak of eco-round weapons for the CTs. As stated later, it is great for holding those tight corridors. An example is running down A Palace on the CT side with the MP9 and trying to get a few early kills for your teammates.
The M4s are just a no-brainer; equip them. They are going to be your main rifles.
And finally, the AWP. The AWP will be insane for the CT side as you can hold long and close angles with it, and being a CT, you need to create that fear on the T side.
CS2 Best T Loadouts
| Pistols | Half-Buy Weapons | Primary / Rifles |
| Glock-19 (best) | MAC-10 (best) | AK47 (best) |
| Desert Eagle (best) | UMP-45 (good) | AWP (best) |
| P250 (good) | P90 (good) | Galil AR (good) |
| Tec-9 (ok) | Nova (ok) | SG 553 (ok) |
| Dual Berettas (ok) | XM1014 (ok) | Scout (ok) |
Although we won’t go in-depth with the Glock, it is still necessary. It is a free gun, and most people might not upgrade their pistol, so it is a must-have in this loadout. Also, take a look at the Tec-9. If you wanna upgrade from the Glock first round, the Tec-9 or P250 will be your best bet.
Mac-10, you gotta Rush B at least one round, so this will be for that job. Take it and run ‘n gun. It is cheap and sound, so there’s no point in not having it.
The AK47 is a must-have. CTs will try to get this gun off you; that’s how good it is. So keep it in your loadout.
Best Weapons in cs2
There are many categories of guns, so we’ll review them individually and give you the best ones.
CS2 Best Pistols
Let’s start with the pistols. We have to first go to the good ol’ reliable: USP-S. This pistol is the alternative version to the P2000 (P2K). Why so? It’s because of its increased accuracy that it has increased headshot potential. This pistol will be in your inventory for most rounds of your CT side.
Another great first-round pistol pick is the P250. If you want something with more punch, then the P250 is a great choice. It not only has excellent damage but also has better 1 tap headshot potential, especially if you are rocking it on the T-side (the Glock doesn’t compare to the power that this gun has). It is also a great sidearm to the AWP with its quick pull-out times, high damage, and cheap price.
Finally, let’s get to the king of all pistols, the Desert Eagle, better known as the Deagle. This headshot machine is primarily for more skilled players who know the ins and outs of this gun. Its lethal damage and almost perfect standing accuracy are unparalleled in this category (pistols). This gun can go up against an AK-47 if in the right hands! If you can master the movement, shooting rhythm, and crosshair placement, you’ll tap heads on the server like crazy.
Best SMGs in CS2
The run ‘n gun, spray, and pray machines. This category has a lot of great options, and we’ll start with one of the best SMGs on the T-side, the Mac-10. This is a great second-round or eco-round buy for the T-side. Its high movement speed, running accuracy, and fire rate allow for a swift take of a site, especially B sites. As my friends and I would always say, “Second round, Mac-10, Vest, Rush B.”
The MP9 is the Mac-10 equivalent for the CTs. Everything we mentioned in the Mac-10 applies to the MP9. The MP9 is an excellent eco-round buy for the CTs. Also, if you feel a bit confident, you could buy this weapon and straight-rush the Ts, as this has excellent running accuracy, as discussed above. This gun is great for holding tight corridors as well.
Finally, we arrive at my personal favorite, the UMP. This used to be such an OP SMG, being called a rifle. Although it has been nerfed down, it is still a great SMG. It has a manageable recoil pattern and, for an SMG, has excellent range, being able to take mid-range fights. It might be a placebo, but I believe this is the best SMG in the game.
Best Shotguns in CS2
You need to worry about only two shotguns, so we’ll start with the first one, the MAG-7. This is a CT-specific shotgun, and I love this shotgun. High damage, high armor penetration, and high bullet count per shot. My only problem with this gun is the low mag capacity, coming in at only 5 rounds. However, the shotgun has an easy spray pattern, and I’ve stuck with it for the past 3 to 4 years.
The Most Excellent Shotgun award goes to the XM1014, also known as the XM or Auto Shotty. At the release of CS2, this gun was like a sniper on steroids. It is a very viable weapon for both CTs and Ts. Its fast fire rate and easy spray pattern are necessary for any load out.
Best Rifles in CS2
Now, we have arrived at the most helpful section. These are going to be the weapons you’ll be using most frequently. So why don’t we start with the most famous rifle to ever hit Counter-Strike, the AK-47? This is the most-played rifle in any CS game. You better drop your M4s for the AKs if you are a CT. This is a T-side-specific rile that has crazy one-shot headshot potential, along with high damage, and costs less than the M4s (both of them). The hardest part of this gun is mastering the spray pattern, but with this gun, most people should be tap or burst firing and not just letting loose.
The M4A1-S is THE BEST CT rifle right now. It has many aspects that the M4A4 doesn’t have. For example, it is silenced, which means its tracers are invisible (so spam through smokes is all you want). It has a tighter spray pattern, which makes it easier to control. It is also cheaper than the M4A4 by $100. But even though most pros are using this over its counterpart, let’s see what the A4 offers.
The M4A4 has many traits that also oppose the A1-S. It has a higher mag capacity (30 rounds instead of 20), allowing longer sprays. Speaking of spraying, it also has a higher fire rate, so it has that going for it. But between the M4A4 and M4A1-S, it comes down to your play style.
Best Snipers in CS2
The Scout (SSG 08) is the little brother of the AWP. Other than damage, it beats the AWP out in almost every way: higher magazine capacity, better movement speed, high fire rate, and most of all, a whole lot cheaper. Although it might not have that one-shot damage like its big brother, it still has crazy damage. One shot to the head or two shots to the body will do the trick. This is an excellent eco-weapon for snipers and CTs alike.
Now we get to the “mascot” of Counter-Strike, the AWP. The AWP is the most iconic weapon ever in any video game. It is a one-shot kill to anywhere on the body except the legs (which takes 2). It has insane armor penetration and is great for holding down angles. The only drawbacks of this beast are the slow fire rate and slow movement speed. However, if you know how to wield this monster, then you’ll be farming clips every game you play.
Summary
There are a multitude of weapons in CS2. We have laid out the foundations for you and explained the best of the best. Now you can take our suggestions or create your own–it’s up to you.
