Basic Keyboard and Mouse Settings for Beginners

Mouse setup is critical in Counter-Strike 2. First, disable mouse acceleration in your Windows settings: go to Control Panel > Mouse Properties > Pointer Options and uncheck Enhance pointer precision. This ensures consistent aiming regardless of how fast you move your mouse. Enable raw input in CS2 settings: Settings > Mouse > Raw Input should be ON.

Mouse sensitivity (measured in game sensitivity number from 0.5 to 3.0) should be set to a consistent value. A good starting point is 1.0 sensitivity at 400 DPI, which translates to 400 eDPI (sensitivity x DPI). This provides a balance between precision and speed. Experiment within a small range (300-800 DPI) to find what feels natural for your arm movement.

For keyboard, enable raw input for key detection. Ensure key bindings are intuitive: typical aggressive players rebind Jump to Spacebar or Scroll Wheel, while defensive players might keep it default. Crouch is typically Ctrl or Spacebar depending on playstyle. Practice your key bindings in Deathmatch for several hours before playing competitively.

Use a mouse pad large enough for low-sens gameplay (36 x 18 inches is common). A good optical or laser mouse without acceleration is essential. Avoid wireless mice in competitive play due to potential input lag.