AWPing

[OldBloke]

Lifted from gamers.nu

Checkout the accompanying demo.

AWP STRATEGY GUIDE by Vesslan
I'm going to talk a little about how to practise the AWP. I've changed playing style quite a lot since back in my MAFIA/NiP days when I was playing a lot with the AWP. I think it's really important that you're able to handle all weapons especially now in maxrounds 12 when you can't do as much save rounds as you could with chargers-only rules. Personally I only use AWP on some maps now.

I'm going to start off by explaining some fundamentals, and to try to describe the different styles I use with the AWP.

Practicing vs. Bots

First of all I start a LAN game on aztec, train, or cbble since these are the maps I use AWP on and these are the only maps I will practice my angels etc on. I'm going to play vs bots, fill the server up with skill podbots set at 80 = decent skill if they use weapon and they won't headshot you as soon as they see you.

Before I played vs 8 bots who had guns, but now I set them at "jason mode" (knife only). The reason for this is that in CS 1.3 when you got shot you bobbed, now you don't so it really doesn't matter if they shoot back at you or not. It's also good that they don't shoot because then you can practice close range with the AWP as well.

Settings

Remember to use sv_lan 0, sv_maxupdaterate 101, since you're hosting the server. I always use CPL standards which for me is rate 25000, cl_updaterate 101, cl_cmdrate 101, and ex_interp 0.1.

When it comes to resolution it's of course a personal choice, but for the AWP I would definately recommend 1024x768 on 17-21" screens. I use 800x600 but that's becuase I don't like the AK47 in 1024, and the "dragshot" (explained later) is very nice in 800x600 with AWP too. The reason for using 1024x768 with AWP is because of the field view, and I also think that the red dot of the crosshair takes up too much space in 800x600.

Make sure you use hud_fastswitch 1 and that you bind slot1 (primary weapon) and slot2 (pistol) in a smart way so you can toggle weapons easily. The reason for this is because if you switch awp/handgun/awp you shorten the reload time, also you can move more quickly. Some people asked me if they should toggle to knife or pistol, I say always pistol.

This is because you move almost as fast as with the knife, and of course incase an enemy pops up close you can defend yourself with the pistol. Even at long range I think it's a good idea because even if you're using a Glock it's enough that you hit 1 bullet to make your opponent "stuck" and then toggle back quickly to AWP and shoot him while his speed is limited.

Techniques

In the demo I will try to focus on different techniques and try to overexaggerate them rather then taking frags. It's important that you focus when you practice: I never listen to mp3s or play sloppy, I always try to stay sharp. Perhaps try not play for too long instead, a short period of focused practice works best for me. Just like in golf you shouldn't hit 100 golf balls in a row at the same target, you only get one chance in golf and all situations are unique, I think Counter-Strike is very similar to that.

   
 Toggling  
I use 2 major techniques that I call "positioning" and "drag shot".

I think Positioning is the most important: trying to get the crosshair/screen in a great position before you zoom/shoot. This way you can be so much more faster than your oppenent, since you won't have to make such a big mouse movement. I will try to demonstrate this on the bridge at aztec and on the double doors in my demo. Also look at the pictures to the side here (click to increase size):    
 Axel  
I move around an axel, where the crosshair is in good position before I zoom. I will also demonstrate how I practice this in the demo where you will see how I toggle very quickly between different key positions where enemies can appear.

"Drag shot" is more or less shooting after the zoom, this is of course important to be good at as well, since if you for some reason am out of position with the AWP before zoom you can compensate it and shoot after. The drag shot is very good combination with the "jump shot" that you can see a lot of people using today in CS 1.5.

   
 Dragshot  
Usually very effective on T side, when you don't know where your enemy is positioned and you jump out with no zoom (you have good field of view this way), scan off, and as you hit the ground you zoom-drag shoot. This takes some extra practice but once you get it right it's very lethal. I'll try to show this in close combat and in B1 on aztec.

Other things I will demonstrate in the demo is "try to aim for headshots only". I just try to make headshots because it makes me aim smaller on practice, "aim small - miss small", will make me hit better in clanwars.

Close combat, I go after the bots try to have them surround me and I have to turn around quickly making reflex shots.

Speed practice, is when I try to speed up everything I practice, positioning, dragshot, shooting, weapon switching etc.

I also practice consistency, where I slow things down and make sure I hit all bullets. This makes me stay focused.

Advanced

Tricks: If you are 1on1 vs. another AWP dude, LISTEN after he shoots (always use s_eax 1 for good surround sound) you will actually hear how the sound follows the guy holding an AWP when he strafes left and right. For example, you have taken cover behind a box on bridge on aztec. Your enemy is on the other side blasting off an AWP shoot, now listen carefully and you can hear when he strafes behind the left or right side to reload, then put your crosshair in position and take him out when he peeks out again.

To avoid doing the same misstake take a footstep forward or backwards before you strafe and you´ll delay the sound 0.5 seconds. This way the other guy won't know on which side you are on. Also switching to handguns will come in handy as you move faster.

Want to have a diffrenet sensitivity on AWP? Change zoom_sensitvity_ratio, I usually like to have a bit higher sens on my AWP compared to the other weapons. This makes me react faster and still have good recoil control with lower sens for the rifles. I set my zoom_sens to 1.3 default value is 1.2. People say low sens is good for AWP, I say the opposite, the faster sens you can control the faster you can kill your opponent.

For the dragshot I prefer lower zoom_sensitivity like 1.1-1.2, but for positioning i like 1.3. If you want to go really advanced try use diffrent zoom sens on CT/T sides of clanwars, because I would say positioning is more important CT side, and T-side with dragshots.

Remember one thing, pistols are a big part of the game today, so mix up your AWP:ing with pistoltraining.

For the demo I'm using 800x600 and sensitivity 1.7 with zoom_sens left at 1.2. Usually I practice 30 bots bridge room, 30 bots door, 30 bots water etc etc, the demo is only to show the different techniques I have tried to explain here in the txt. If you have additional questions just fire away on the forum and I'll try to answer them.