Is the Infamous AWP the Best Sniper Rifle in Counter Strike?

Arguably, every CSGO player has heard of the AWP. This “high risk, high reward” weapon is one of the most famous items in Counter Strike. Some love it, others hate it, and a large part is simply afraid of it. However, given that we are approaching the biggest technological shift in the game’s history, it is worth taking a closer look at this legendary sniper rifle and seeing what it has to offer. This is why today we’re going to examine it in more detail and assess whether the AWP is actually worth its price and the nerves that accompany it. 

A Brief Introduction to the AWP

The AWP is a sniper rifle available in Counter Strike: Global Offensive. Players may have already encountered it in previous installments of the game, as it is one of the classics of the series. It was previously known as the Magnum Sniper Rifle. The inspiration behind the AWP CSGO is the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare (the Arctic Warfare Police model, to be exact), a sniper rifle manufactured by the British company Accuracy International. The weapon first hit the market in the early 1990s and gained notoriety for its participation in the wars in the Middle East. It was used by virtually all European armies.

The AWP in Combat

An AWP is a sniper rifle, and weapons of this type are designed primarily for long-range combat. This means that it has several significant advantages, but also some disadvantages, which makes being “an AWPer” not as colorful as it might seem.

Typical of this type of weapon, the AWP has a small magazine for 10 rounds with a reserve of 30 and a fire rate of 41 RPM. It is known among the gaming community for its “one shot, one kill” policy, which stems from its ability to inflict high damage and pierce any armor. In other words, you don’t have to aim for the enemy’s head for the shot to prove fatal. Unfortunately, mastering the power of this rifle requires considerable skill and experience. Not for nothing is it said that there should be only one APWer in the team. There are several factors that the holder must take into account to be successful. 

For example, the weapon is quite ineffective when walking or running, as the player must use the scope to get an accurate shot. To make matters worse, it takes as long as 3.7 seconds to reload, leaving the user vulnerable to enemy fire. Not to mention that the weight of the AWP slows the player down considerably, so even if they want to make a run for it, it may be impossible. 

Is the AWP worth it?

As you can see, the AWP is not perfect. 

However, all this does not mean that it’s not suitable for matches. On the contrary, the rifle can prove to be a team’s secret weapon if it is in the right hands. Still, buying it is not a decision to be taken lightly, given that this little gun costs as much as $4750 and, to go for it, you should be sure that you can the AWP effectively. But just how to go about it? 

Training, training, and more training

If you are determined to become an AWPer, congratulations. Excellent choice! Once you master this rifle to perfection, you will be a real ace for your team, capable of killing every enemy one by one. However, in order to achieve this, you need to spend a lot of time training. Conquering the AWP takes time and patience, but only then will you be able to realize its full potential. First of all, practice aiming and taking the right position. These are the keys to achieving success.

Of course, we understand that it’s difficult to find time to train during a real match when your team members are expecting results. Fortunately, Steam Workshop provides numerous practice maps, such as training_aim_csgo, which will allow you to hone your skills. 

Finding the perfect spot

As we mentioned earlier, AWP requires a lot of precision to be effective. After all, what’s the use of being so powerful if you don’t actually hit anyone? Using a scope is a must, which is why you need to be able to take the right position. This can be tricky, given that there are rather few places on the map where you can sit quietly and still have everyone within arm’s reach. Of course, what comes to mind is the classic idea of taking a seat somewhere on top of a building, but this isn’t always possible for various reasons. For example, it may not be in line with your team’s strategy, or the spot may already be occupied. However, if you don’t take the right position, the AWP can be very ineffective and even a nuisance. Remember that this rifle is very slow, so if you are suddenly attacked while aiming, the chances of escape are slim. 

All things considered, our answer to the question of whether the AWP is worth it is…. It depends.

If your team has the money to spend, and you feel you have the right skills, then buying this rifle will definitely pay off. On the other hand, if your crew members are reluctant and you can’t afford it, it’s probably better not to risk it.

Some of Our Favorite AWP Skins

That said, if you decide to use the AWP in matches, it’s worth having cool CSGO skins accompany it. After all, this particular rifle has a very large selection, and among the options are some of the most famous items in the game. That’s why we’re presenting 5 of our favorite AWP finishes, so you can stock up before you hit the maps. 

1. AWP || Containment Breach

• Belongs to Collection: Operation Shattered Web Collection
• First Added: 18 November 2019
• Highest Steam Price: $458.14
• Lowest Steam Price: $41.80

2. AWP || Exoskeleton

• Belongs to Collection: Operation Broken Fang Collection
• First Added: 3 December 2020
• Highest Steam Price: $9.90
• Lowest Steam Price: $1.44

3. AWP || Lightning Strike

• Belongs to Collection: Arms Deal Collection
• First Added: 14 August 2013
• Highest Steam Price: $580.29
• Lowest Steam Price: $560.00

4. AWP || Snake Camo

• Belongs to Collection: Dust Collection
• First Added: 14 August 2013
• Highest Steam Price: $237.92
• Lowest Steam Price: $84.95

5. AWP || Safari Mesh

• Belongs to Collection: Lake Collection
• First Added: 27 November 2013
• Highest Steam Price: $0.07
• Lowest Steam Price: $3.29

And if you want more interesting suggestions for AWP skins then check out our blog and read the full list. 

So Is the AWP the Best Sniper Rifle?

Unfortunately, it is impossible to answer this question, because whether a particular weapon is the best depends entirely on the style of play and skill level of the particular player. There are people who will stand for the AWP, while others won’t even consider it. What we can say for sure is that this sniper rifle provides gamers with amazing capabilities and is one of the few that offers “one shot, one kill” capabilities, which certainly makes it a valuable addition to any match (provided, of course, that you know how to use it).