So, you wanna be the most skilled person in the CS universe, huh? Well then, you’d better start practising as an AWPer. This guide is for gamers who have some experience of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive but haven’t yet settled into a specific position. 

Essentially, it’s a rallying cry for this awesome but sometimes stressful position. 

All hail the AWPer!

Why is it called AWPer?

We could tell you, or we could show you with a shameless plug for our gamer merch:

Caption: Also available as a hoodie.

Yes, the term AWPer refers to the weapon of choice a player uses in-game. To take on this position, you need patience, precision, quick reflexes and just the right amount of gumption.

How do you become a pro AWPer?

If you possess the attributes mentioned above, you’re already well on your way to becoming a solid AWPer. So here’s our advice to own the map and help your team to victory game after game:

  •  Stay alive for as long as possible

Your AWP is an expensive piece of kit, so the last thing you want is to lose it early by being too hasty and getting killed. This is especially true if your support isn’t close enough to salvage your weapon – go down this route, and you’ll quickly become a liability to your team. 

Play safe at first – Stay safe throughout – Don’t die. 

  •  Keep close to your support player

As an add-on to that, you should always keep your support player nearby. If you want to be flashed to a particular place on the map, make sure your teammate comes along for the ride. That way, they can trade the kill and salvage your weapon should your avatar bite the dust.

  •  Weigh the risk

The best AWPer knows when to invest in the weapon and when to hold back and play the long game. Of course, it’ll take time for you to figure out when and when not to buy, but eventually, you’ll get a sixth sense for it. 

When that happens, you’re well on your way to becoming a pro.

  •  Always know your next move

Even the most seasoned players miss shots, so you must have a backup plan and try to stay one step ahead at all times. Consider the angles to peek, and beware that if the other team is low on expensive weaponry, you may be the target of a rundown.

  •  Stay calm, always

We’re not gonna lie; this can be a stressful position to play at times, so you need to be able to hold your nerve. If that doesn’t sound like you, then you’re better off choosing a different position – although you can still buy the shirt if you want to ?

You’ve probably seen the pros act a little carelessly, opting for crazy peeks when they should probably play it safe, but remember, these aren’t crazy for them. They know precisely what they are doing. 

Until you reach the same level of mastery, don’t do something foolish that could cost your team the round and potentially the game.

Always weigh the risks with the rewards. It’s a team game, after all.

  •  Practice

Our final piece of advice is an oldie but goodie – practice. 

Spend time on deathmatch servers and practice with assault rifles as well as AWPs. The better you know your weapons, the better your performance will be. Also, train yourself on switching between weapons quickly, and know when to reach for your AWP or something else.

Spend some time getting to know the maps. And we mean really get to know them; you should know them better than you know yourself. Then, load up empty servers and seek out corners to practice your pre-aim. Train your reflexes to be as swift as possible until it’s practically second nature.

Finally, become a pro at shooting accurately while manoeuvring about. Also, learn how to stop and shoot as quickly as possible. This will increase your kill chance while reducing the likelihood of your avatar getting hit.

With time and dedication, you’ll soon be worthy of one of our shirts. Perhaps you should invest in one as a prize for when you truly accomplish the art of AWPing.