AWM/AWP - Can I use it or not?

[TeaLeaf]

This is an area of great contention, so here is the way that the Dead Men Walking community currently views the use of the AWM sniper rifle.  

You should not use the AWM when it will significantly hinder gameplay.  

Background, Reasoning & Definition of "significantly hinder gameplay":

• First off, let's get the name right.  Due to an oversight 'back in the day' this rifle is often called AWP (Arctic Warfare Police), but it is actually an AWM (Arctic Warfare Magnum). Have a look at the website if you really want to know more.
  
• It is generally accepted within the CS community that the programmers have still got it wrong with the AWM.  Compared to other sniper rifles available the AWM is still far too powerful within the CS physics model.
• TCS is primarily about tactical, team & objective-based CS.  But it is also about ensuring good gameplay - this is why when you join the server you will often see one side with a few more players than the other.  It's not accidental, it has been done to try to even up 'win' potential for both teams on a map that is biased towards one team, or where a group of better players are all on the same team.
  
• When you are on a map that has a bias (e.g. cs_siege), it is very easy for a single T to buy an AWM and then control the entire game.  This does not make for good gameplay.  Put simply, the AWM with its mismatched physics model can ruin the game play on any number of maps.
• The Dead Men Walking community caters for a wide range of player abilities.  On the right team and on the right map, a talented player with an AWM can extinguish all game play.  This is enjoyable for the AWM user, but not for anyone else.
• The competition section of the Dead Men Walking clan regularly play in league matches (on average three times per week) and the AWM is a weapon often used in these matches.  It would therefore not be helpful to completely ban the AWM on the server as it does stop the practice of a legitimate competition skill.
• "So can I use the AWM or not?" Currently the answer is Yes, but with some qualification:  You should not use the AWM when it will significantly hinder gameplay.
• "What does that mean?" we hear you say.  Well, the interpretation of this rule on the Dead Men Walking community servers has come to mean that nobody should use an AWM where the winning team has a lead of less than 4 rounds.  If a team has a 4 round or greater advantage, then the losing team COULD use the AWM, BUT, very great thought should be given to whether this is the best way to rebalance the game.
  
• Often, rebalancing the numbers on each team will have better game play results than just spending your dollar$ on an AWM.  But YOU are the one in that position and YOU need to make that decision yourself.  If you abuse the discretion allowed to you on this server then an Admin will firstly comment politely, then warn you politely, then kick you, politely of course  :wink:
• For the sake of clarity, the above and all Dead Men Walking community members, whether it's your first visit to our community, a long-standing Member or an Admin, it still applies.

We hope the above helps somewhat.  

The Admins