In Valve’s tactical first-person shooter franchise, Counter-Strike, one weapon is so iconic that most PC gamers can recognize the sound when the bullet leaves its chamber. The AWP, also known as the Magnum Sniper or “Big Green,” remains the “one bullet, one kill” behemoth we all know and love (or hate!) in CS2.
If you want to hone your skills and become proficient with the sniper rifle, we’ve got you covered! We’ll explain the AWPer role, provide essential tips for using the Big Green to significant effect, and celebrate the best AWPers in CS history that you may want to study before your next big match.
Don’t forget that CS2 tournaments are in full swing, and you can check out CS2 betting odds on Thunderpick.
CS2 AWPer
What Is An AWPer In Counter-Strike?
The most straightforward definition of an AWPer in CS2 is “the player who uses the AWP sniper rifle.” However, an AWPer is much more than a player equipped with the Big Green. Instead, it’s more like a state of mind and a responsibility towards the rest of your teammates. The AWPer role is reserved for the most highly skilled and disciplined individuals.
It sounds like a much more daunting role than you first anticipated, right? Well, that’s because being the AWPer can be equal parts challenging and rewarding. It is arguably the most demanding role at high levels of play. That’s why we’ve got some insights and tips to master using the “Big Green” in the next section of our guide.
CS2 AWPer Tips For Using The Big Green
To help you channel your inner sniper and strike fear into the hearts of your opponents, we’ve got some must-know tips on how to use the Big Green effectively in CS2.
Practice Makes Perfect
We recommend practicing your AWP shots from various ranges against bots on aim maps, then moving into casual deathmatch against real players before jumping onto a competitive server. Practice can include flick shots and even close-range “no-scope” shots until you are comfortable using the Big Green. Practice your strafing, peeking, and crosshair placement to become a well-rounded AWPer.
Take Aim At Comfort
Player comfort is one of the critical aspects of success. You need to be comfortable and confident in your ability to hit a wide variety of shots with the AWP. It’s about physical comfort, too, which is why we recommend testing a range of gaming mice alongside different types of mousepads until you find the perfect fit to help you click heads. Gaming hardware and your comfort level while seated, distance from your screen, and even room temperature can make a noticeable difference.
Know When To Save
The AWP is one of the most expensive guns in CS2. In some circumstances, such as in a 3v5 situation, you should attempt to save your AWP by surviving until the round ends. A pro player we recommend watching to learn how to save effectively is Dzhami “Jame” Ali. Keeping your AWP safe for the next round of play can make all the difference!
Practice on CS2 Maps
To climb the CS Premier Mode ranks, you must focus on practicing the Active Duty Map Pool. Mastering specific positions on each map for CTs and Ts is paramount. For example, on the CT side of Mirage, one of the go-to spots is covering Mid from the Window, while on Ancient (T-side), watching the B-Site from the Ramp position can give you a great angle.
Communicate Consistently
Practicing your communication skills is as important as your aim as an AWPer. You are the team’s carry player, expected to top the scoreboard. In a competitive environment, support players help the AWPer by clearing pathways for escape and purchasing weaponry or utility items. Communicating both your needs and your position in every round is paramount to your success, as well as the success of your squad.
Bonus tip: If you strive for greatness with the “Big Green,” you may want to try and emulate the players we mention in the next section of this guide. While most gamers will never come close to s1mple, aspiring CS2 AWPers can always learn from the movement, crosshair placement, and gameplay style of the best in CS history.
Who Is The Best AWPer In CS2?
Throughout the series’ history, the legends of CS have primarily wielded the mighty AWP. Below, you’ll find the five best CSAWPers to ever use the Big Green along with a short introduction celebrating these iconic players.
s1mple
Discussing the greatest AWPers in CS history is impossible without mentioning Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyljev right at the start. Many consider him to be the GOAT of CS. And even though he took a break from competitive play just as Valve released CS2, s1mple’s name holds tremendous weight on the server.
ZywOo
Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut was born on the same day as the release of CS version 1.0 (Nov. 9, 2000) and is often called “The Chosen One.” As the AWPer for Vitality until at least 2026, ZywOo is considered the best player in the world in 2024 and one of the best AWPers of all time.
FalleN
Brazilian star Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo’s claim as one of the top AWPers is undeniable. As a two-time CS Major Championship winner, FalleN has proven time and time again that he is a powerhouse on the server. He still competes against the best in the world as the in-game leader (IGL) and AWPer for FURIA Esports.
kennyS
The now-retired French AWPer, Kenny “kennyS” Schrub, etched his name in the CS history books with his MVP performance at DreamHack Open Cluj-Napoca 2015 Major. kennyS was one of the first to adopt a super-aggressive gameplay style, and to this day, many fans still remember his flashy plays.
GuardiaN
Many CS fans consider Ladislav “GuardiaN” Kovacs the best AWPer who has never won a Major Championship. A top player from 2013 to 2018, the Slovakian star spent most of his career with Natus Vincere (Na’Vi), bagging multiple trophies and several MVP awards before retiring in 2022.
Please note: Our best AWPer list is based on the author’s opinion with sprinkles of historical data.
Become The CS2 AWPer Your Team Needs
Whether you’re completely new to CS2 or have been playing as an AWPer for years, you can always benefit from studying the best players and, if we may, using the tips in this article to your advantage. Maybe you need a new mouse or it’s too hot in your gaming room. Or perhaps you just need a bit more practice! Whatever it is, allowing yourself to make mistakes and learn from them will make you into the AWPer your team needs. So get out there and remember to have fun!
For more ways to enjoy Valve’s beloved FPS, be sure to check out our CS2 betting section! Always practice Responsible Gambling and check out our latest promo offers and boosts. T&Cs apply. 18+ to play.
