Are you interested in finding out how many guns are in CS2? In 2025, Counter-Strike 2 offers a total of 41 weapons. This number includes pistols, rifles, knives, snipers, and grenades. In this guide, we will break down all in-game weapons and provide the best practices when using them.
Total Number of Weapons in CS2
In total, there are 41 weapons in CS2. This range is based on different categories which can be used to cause damage to enemies. Every in-game weapon has a unique purpose. Throughout the years, Counter-Strike players narrowed down the choices. In most cases, players are sticking with rifles and snipers.
Within the buy menu, weapons are categorized in different ways. Before starting the match, players can edit their loadouts to use the weapons they prefer playing with. Overall, the buy menu is split into several categories, including:
- Starting Pistol + Other Pistols
- Mid-Tier Weapons
- Rifles
- Nades
- Knife + Zeus x27
Breakdown of Weapon Categories
Now that you learned how many guns are in CS2, it is time to break them down into different categories. For every map, a specific set of weapons is suggested based on tight corners or distance. On Nuke, you might want to give shotguns a chance. On the other hand, Dust II is perfect for SSG 08.
Here is a table containing an in-depth breakdown of every weapon category in CS2:
Weapon Category | Eligible Guns | Typical Role in the Round |
Pistols | CZ75-Auto (CT), Five-SeveN (CT), USP-S (CT), P2000 (CT), Desert Eagle, Dual Berettas, P250, R8 Revolver, Glock-18 (T), Tec-9 (T) | Starting pistols include USP-S or P2000 for the CT side and Glock-18 for the T side. More expensive pistols like the Desert Eagle can be used in force or eco rounds. |
Shotguns | MAG-7 (CT), Nova, XM1014, Sawed-Off (T) | Only used on force rounds on specific parts of the map. Can generate a lot of money for a kill, but their use is limited to holding tight corners. |
Submachine Guns (SMG) | MP9 (CT), MP5-SD, MP7, PP-Bizon, P90, UMP-45, MAC-10 (T) | Useful for force buys. Best suited for fast rounds as you have extra movement speed compared to classic rifles, while moving accuracy is better too. Damage is significantly lower compared to rifles. Great for bonus buys since you can farm armorless enemies quickly. |
Rifles | Famas (CT), M4A1-S (CT), M4A4 (CT), AUG (CT), SCAR-20 (CT), AK-47 (T), G3SG1 (T), Galil AR (T), SG 553 (T) | Bread and butter for every CS2 player. These weapons are purchased in rounds. They are more expensive but cause a lot of damage. |
Heavy Weapons | M249, Negev | Barely ever used in the game. Stats do not justify the price. It can be optionally used to block a portion of the map due to a massive magazine size. Movement is significantly slowed when shooting. |
Snipers | AWP, SSG 08 | AWP is the go-to option for all maps in CS2. The big green sniper is a one-hit-kill type of weapon. SSG 08 can be used on force rounds as it provides solid damage and great movement speed. |
Grenades | HE Grenade, Flashbang, Incendiary (CT), Molotov (T), Decoy, Smoke | Used by all players to create space or to block a part of the map. With good team coordination, grenades are the most important weapons to help you win. |
Other | Zeus x27, Knives | Zeus x27 is a highly optional weapon that can guarantee a kill, but only at a close distance. Knives are free weapons you get each round. They can cause serious damage, but their use is very limited. |
Best Practices for Weapon Selection
Not much has changed in CS2 regarding the best practices for weapon selection. The basics remained the same. Players can purchase weapons at the beginning of each round based on the amount of money they have.
That is why it is important to keep track of the overall team budget. If the entire team has enough money to afford rifles and snipers alongside armor and grenades, then buying is the best option. However, if you can’t afford a proper buy across the entire team, it is best to go for an eco round or upgrade pistols to give yourself a fighting chance.
As you improve in CS2, you will quickly notice how playstyle differs from casuals to veterans. Initially, the focus is set to different weapons and armor. Later on, it will switch to utility usage and map coverage.
Nonetheless, practices for weapon selection can be split into different types of rounds. Here is a great overview that you can enforce right away:
- Pistol Rounds: Playing with limited money allows you to only upgrade pistols or buy utility. Such rounds are very important and mostly rely on individual skill.
- Save/Eco Rounds: If you are saving, then you are not investing any money as you are building up the economy. On the other hand, anti-eco rounds are best covered with SMGs or shotguns. They provide a high reward for a kill and do not give much to enemies if they kill you.
- Buy Rounds: This is where you go all out. Spend money to get armor, rifles, snipers, and proper grenades. Focus on playstyle and get yourself in a situation where you can get multi-kills.
- Half-buy Rounds: With such rounds, you are mostly investing into armor, a small stack of grenades, and a low-tier rifle or SMG. If executed properly, you can get a lot of damage done or even win the round.
Tips for Choosing Weapons
Preferred weapons can vary. Some players like playing with rifles, while others believe they have better control when using SMGs. With that in mind, we have compiled a list of worthy tips for choosing weapons in CS2.
- Buy smart: We advise players to learn a thing or two about the CS2 economy. There is no point in buying every round. At times, it is better to save money so you can get the best possible loadout in the coming rounds.
- Learning spray patterns: Every weapon in CS2 has its own spray pattern. It is very important to practice and learn more about them. By doing so, you can control sprays and get more kills.
- Rules of engagement: Based on the weapon in hand, you need to think about the rules of engagement. For example, it is not smart to use an AWP in close quarters. You should look for the maximum distance. Different logic applies to SMGs and shotguns, where you can look to hold close angles and close the distance between you and the enemy.
- Understanding the role you are playing in a team: Find out what type of player you are. If you like to play aggressively, then the AK-47 should be your weapon of choice. Passive players can opt for safer buys like SG 553 or AUG due to increased range and precision.