Weapon Accuracy, Spread, and Recoil
Each weapon in CS2 has inherent inaccuracy called spread. Even when aiming perfectly, bullets don't travel exactly where your crosshair points—they scatter within a cone. Standing still decreases spread. Moving increases spread significantly. This is why professional players pre-aim common positions rather than flicking quickly while moving.
Spread increases with every shot fired. The first bullet is most accurate; subsequent bullets spread progressively wider. Firing in short bursts (2-3 shots) keeps accuracy high. Spraying 30 bullets continuously results in a spray pattern where the final bullets are wildly inaccurate. Understanding your weapon's spray pattern and burst fire discipline separates good players from great ones.
Weapon recoil is the upward/sideways movement of your crosshair when firing. Each weapon has a unique recoil pattern that players can memorize and control. The AK-47 has an upward then right recoil. The M4A4 has a similar but slightly different pattern. By pulling down your mouse (counteracting upward recoil), you keep shots in the same area despite the weapon naturally climbing.
First shot accuracy is critical in CS2. Weapons are most accurate on the first shot, especially if you stand still. This makes pre-aiming angles and taking first-shot duels important. Peeker's advantage (the person peeking has slightly better info due to client-side processing) means aggressive peeks are rewarded if you shoot first.
Key Points
- Spread increases with movement and shots fired
- First bullet most accurate, then spreads
- Burst fire (2-3 shots) maintains accuracy
- Recoil pattern varies by weapon
- First shot accuracy rewards pre-aiming
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Spraying continuously without pattern control
- Shooting while moving at distance
- Not learning weapon spray patterns
- Holding down fire button instead of bursting
- Overextending without first shot advantage