Want to decimate your opponents in Valve’s Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) and climb the competitive ranks? Don’t just Rush B and pick any old guns; we’ve got you covered with the best CS2 loadouts. Learn about the best loadout for Counter-Terrorists (CTs) and Terrorists (Ts) as we share the five best CS2 weapons for each category.
Best CS2 Loadouts
Best CT Side Loadouts in CS2
In CS2, you can choose five pistols for your Pistol loadout, five average-power guns such as SMGs and shotguns for your Mid-Tier loadout, and five top weapons from the assault and sniper rifle categories for your Rifle loadout, also known as a “Full Buy.”
CT Side Pistol Loadout
We recommend the USP-S as the default pistol over the P2000 because it is more accurate and has the added benefit of a silencer.
- USP-S
- Desert Eagle
- P250
- Five-SeveN
- CZ75-Auto
We left the R8 Revolver out of our loadout because it is weaker than the other guns on this list. Use the USP-S in the first rounds of each half and the Desert Eagle if you have the cash to spare. Use the remaining three depending on your in-game situation. You can also swap out the CZ75-Auto for the Dual Berettas.
CT Side Mid-Tier Loadout
The best CT side mid-tier loadout largely depends on whether you want to surprise your opponents with shotgun picks or run and gun with a submachine gun (SMG). We’ve chosen primarily SMGs to fill out our mid-tier weapons list.
- MP9
- UMP-45
- P90
- MP7
- XM1014
The MP9 is one of the most effective SMGs in CS2, offering a ton of damage, especially if your opponents are without Kevlar. Consider the MP9 in half-buy rounds and the P90 in full-buy rounds, or surprise your opponents with an XM1014 to the face.
CT Side Rifle Loadout
The best CT side rifle loadout depends on if you are an AWPer, preferring the “Big Green” above all other weapons, or if you are a rifler. Thanks to the five slots available, only the ranking of importance will change. If you prefer playing with the AWP instead of, for example, the M4A1-S, put the sniper rifle first!
- M4A1-S
- M4A1
- FAMAS
- AUG
- AWP
We omitted the SCAR-20 and the SSG 08 (Scout), but you could add the latter. Thanks to the CS2 loadout system, you can have the M4A1-S and M4A1, a fantastic change from CS:GO. The M4A1-S and the M4A1 are incredible rifle choices, each with unique benefits. For example, the M4A1 is better at long-range engagements and has more ammo, while the M4A1-S is less expensive and has hidden tracer rounds.
Best T Side Loadouts in CS2
We’ve got our picks for the T side Pistols, Mid-Tier, and Rifle loadouts to share. Below, you’ll find all the best guns to execute bomb site push tactics, complementing the aggressive gameplay the T side requires.
T Side Pistol Loadout
The Glock-18 is the default pistol for the T side in CS2. It is excellent for close-range engagements and is generally used in economy or pistol rounds.
- Glock-18
- Desert Eagle
- P250
- Tec-9
- Dual Berettas
We don’t recommend using the R8 Revolver because it is considered the weakest pistol. We decided on the Dual Berettas for the T side. Why? They can have a decent impact if you try to bust open a bomb site on a low buy. The CZ75-Auto is more for a defensive posture, while the Dual Berettas are more effective on the offense.
T Side Mid-Tier Loadout
We love the MAC-10, a fast and furious T weapon perfect for jumping into a bomb site or farming your enemy for some easy cash when they’re on an eco round. The UMP-45 can also get the job done, or if you want more firepower and have cash to spare, consider the P90 or MP7.
- MAC-10
- UMP-45
- P90
- MP7
- XM1014
We decided to pick the XM1014 instead of the Sawed-Off shotgun and left both the Negev and M249 machine guns on the sidelines. Your movement with these weapons is simply too slow for aggressive T playstyles.
T Side Rifle Loadout
The iconic AK-47 is the best choice for the T side unless you are your team’s primary AWPer. You could also pick the Galil AR if you don’t have enough in-game cash for the AK-47 and the rest of your team is buying. Players could use the SG 553 in specific situations or map positions, such as A Long on Dust II, if they want a scoped alternative.
- AK-47
- Galil AR
- SG 553
- SSG 08
- AWP
We recommend the AWP or Scout (SSG 08) over the Auto Sniper (G3SG1), because it is too expensive. You can get more value out of the Scout or deal more damage with the AWP unless you get fortunate with the G3SG1 spamming through the mid doors in Dust II.
How To Change Your CS2 Loadout
Valve has made changing your loadout in CS2 very easy. Once you launch CS2 via Steam, click on the “Loadout” button at the top middle of your screen, conveniently located between the “Inventory” and “Play” buttons.
You’ll see five options for Pistols, Mid-Tier buys, and Rifles in the CS2 loadout section. You can choose your preferred weapons in each loadout, dragging and dropping the guns you want to change. You can also change your CS2 loadouts as often as possible, even during a match!
It’s important to remember that there’s no right or wrong loadout. You should always select the CS2 weapons you prefer playing with. Even pros differ wildly in their loadout choices, as evident by the video from HLTV, where the publication asked several pros about their loadout choices.
Pro tip: No matter which loadout you choose, we recommend improving your CS2 aiming techniques with all your favorite weapons to crush the competition.
Some Final Loadout Tips
Whichever loadout you use on the T and CT side, you should consider full Kevlar armor and a complete set of Grenades if your in-game cash allows it. Kevlar can make a big difference in survivability and utility. Plus, when you can use Smoke Grenades expertly, you can really turn the tide of battle. As a final tip, CTs should think about adding a Defuse Kit to improve their bomb defusing speed in a post-plant situation.
Ready for more CS2 fun? Check out our CS2 betting page to watch and bet on the top esports teams and tournaments as they happen!
Always practice Responsible Gambling and check out our latest promo offers and boosts. T&Cs apply. 18+ to play.