The importance of pistol rounds cannot be overstated. A team that wins both pistol rounds wins two-thirds of matches. The CS.MONEY Blog explains how to win pistol rounds as both attackers and defenders.
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What to buy during a pistol round?
In a pistol round, both sides are very limited in terms of resources. Purchasing is mandatory. The $800 you get in the first round is only enough for one of the following:
- Armor
- A pistol
- A couple of grenades
- A defuse kit
When playing alone, it’s almost always worth buying armor for both sides. Armor reduces the damage taken and prevents aim punch. This gives a significant advantage in gunfights. In some cases, it might make sense to buy a better pistol, such as the P250 or Duals, along with a couple of grenades. Note that when playing solo, this purchase should be made only with a specific strategy or position in mind. There is no point in buying a defuse kit when playing alone.
If you’re playing with a friend or a five-player stack, the situation changes a bit. Buying five armor sets is still a solid strategy. However, if one player buys grenades, winning the round becomes much easier.
How to win a pistol round as a defender?
Let’s leave aside the obvious advice—shoot better. When playing on defense, there are three key principles to follow:
- Maintain distance
- Have an escape route
- Gather information as early as possible
When playing solo, the best tactic is to hold your position until you make contact with the enemy, after which you should retreat to the next cover. It’s essential to focus on crosshair placement. When engaging an enemy, a quick one-tap can give your team a numerical advantage. If you want to play more actively, pushing positions should only be done with the support of at least one teammate.
When playing with friends, the three principles mentioned earlier still apply. However, new tactics come into play. A popular strategy is to stack one of the bomb sites. Although it’s a bit like flipping a coin, the idea works well. The players in the stack should not sit on the bomb plant site. Early in the round, they should begin moving around the map to gather information. This way, defenders can quickly flank the enemy or catch them off guard.
How to win a pistol round as an attacker?
As an attacker, there are three principles to follow:
- Work together
- Focus on planting the bomb
- Close the distance
The standard attacking pistol, the Glock-18, is fairly accurate with a large magazine. The main drawback is its low damage. At a distance of 15 meters, it won’t even kill with a headshot without armor.
When playing as an attacker, it’s crucial to close the distance with the enemy. At close range, the small magazines of the USP-S and P2000 make it difficult to engage in prolonged gunfights, forcing the enemy to retreat. Additionally, numerical advantage is vital. Pushing three players against one will make it easy to get a frag and take control of part of the map. It’s also important to plant the bomb as soon as possible. Defenders rarely buy defuse kits in the first round, making retakes harder and increasing the chances of winning the round, even when outnumbered.
A solo player on the attacking side shouldn’t rely on coordination with random teammates. If you have the bomb, try to plant it. If not, help your teammate plant it. As with defenders, attackers shouldn’t move alone. Trades are crucial, and you shouldn’t give the defenders a numerical advantage.
For those playing with friends, the pistol round as attackers is much easier. The main task is to avoid running into a stack… and that’s it. A well-executed team push with armor and a few utility grenades is very hard to stop without preparation.
Conclusion
Even when playing solo, you can still influence the outcome of the pistol round. On defense, focus on playing carefully, gathering information, and delaying the enemy’s push to the bomb site. Attackers should focus on planting the bomb and working together. Even two players working in tandem can break through the site and plant the C4.
