CS:GO: How to Use an AK-47 to its Full Potential

Time Stamp: February 5, 2022 6:26 AM

We take you through some tips & tricks to use the AK-47 to its full potential.

Whether you play CS:GO with your friends, or you take part in different tournaments, there is no arguing that the AK-47 is one of the most common weapons you will use, especially if you are a “Terrorist”. This is probably the most recognizable rifle in the world, including in CS: GO. The AK-47 has been around for many years and continues to be the weapon of choice for many countries worldwide. This is a clear sign that it is really good compared to others in its class.

Using an AK-47 in real life is one thing, but when it comes to CS:GO, there are some specifics you have to be aware of. Even people who’ve been playing the game for years are not familiar with everything that this weapon has to offer. That’s why we’ve decided to share a few important things that should help you learn how to use this weapon accordingly.

The weapon’s recoil

While it is true that almost every knows about this weapon’s recoil, there is no arguing that this is one of the most important things you have to consider if you decide to use an AK-47. If you choose to compare this weapon’s recoil to those of other popular rifles, you will find some similarities. However, there are also a lot of differences because the AK-47 does not allow you to shoot a limited number of bullets before you have to consider the recoil. If we compare it to the M4A4, we can see that they are similar yet different. The CT’s main weapon has a similar recoil to the AK’s, but it allows you to shoot more “accurate” bullets. 

Know when to buy this weapon

Unlike other versions of Counter-Strike, where people didn’t buy anything but an AK-47 and Galill as T, CS:GO offers a wide range of options. Even though the AK-47 is one of the strongest weapons in the game, it is not something that you should buy all the time. The weapon is cheap, but purchasing it in the second round can negatively. If you get killed, you will give your opponents the chance to save this weapon for the next round and use it against you and your team. Furthermore, if you purchase an AK and die without killing anyone, you will be broke for the next two rounds.

To avoid these problems, it is advisable to purchase other weapons in round 2, such as shotguns or cheaper rifles. Besides that, they cost less money, they will allow you to save a lot of money. In other words, you can buy a weapon in the following round.

The damage

Another important thing that makes the AK-47 one of the preferred weapons for many players is its damage. There is no arguing that this is one of the best items in the game when it comes down to doing damage. It is among the few weapons that guarantee a one-shot kill if you land a headshot, regardless of the target has armor.

Even if you don’t land a headshot, a few clear body shots are more than enough to bring down your opponents. Unlike other popular rifles in the game, the AK-47 is excellent for long-distance shootings. That’s why the weapon works better on some maps than others.

Speaking of damage, we also have to mention the weapon’s reloading speed. Everyone who plays CS:GO knows that this is one of the most important things in the game. Having fast reload speed can make a difference between life and death, especially in some situations. Luckily, AK-47 stands above the rest in this regard. If you compare it to the CT’s most popular weapon, we can see that the T’s primary choice reloads much faster. 

Learn how to “Stutter Step”

One of the many things that differentiate some CS:GO players is their ability to move around the map. There are all sorts of tips and tricks that you can use, such as crouching, but not all of them are effective. Fortunately, there is one thing that makes a difference when it comes down to using an AK-47, and that’s the so-called “Slutter Step”. 

People with more experience in the game probably know what we’re talking about. However, those who are just getting started have no clue what we want to say because this technique is not that popular in lower-tier games.

To make a long story short, Slutter Steps is when you move in a specific direction and press the opposite key before shooting. For example, many people run forward with “W” and press “S” quickly before shooting with their AK-47. That’s how they land the so-called “running headshots”, which are fantastic, to say the least.

Learning how to take advantage of this in-game mechanic can have a massive effect on your overall experience and performance. Using weapons like AK-47 and utilizing this technique will allow you to be a lot more accurate while shooting. So, don’t be surprised that most professional CS:GO players always do this.

Decide which crosshair you want to use

Regardless of which rifle you decide to focus on, choosing the best crosshair for your playstyle is important. This is where it gets exciting because some people prefer to copy the best players in the game. Even though this has its pluses, it also has a lot of minuses because what works for the given player might not be the best for you, especially when it comes down to the crosshair size. 

Some CS:GO players prefer to use the smallest possible options so that they can land headshots easier. Others use the bigger variations because they think they are more accurate. It all comes down to personal preferences, but copy players just because they are good. Try all of the available options and decide which is the most appropriate one for your playstyle. This depends on a variety of things, such as your monitor’s resolution, and so on.

Master Tap Shooting and Bursting

Another important thing that players have to consider while using an AK-47 is the so-called Tap Shooting. The latter is a popular method of shooting in CS:GO that allows players to fire one bullet at a time while moving left and right. This technique aims to land clean headshots and usually works really well with some weapons. Luckily, AK-47 is one of the options that stands out when it comes to Tap Shooting because it does a lot of damage. What’s more, the weapon is great for long-distance flights, which is where Tap Shooting shines. Needless to say, you shouldn’t use this option in close combat because it probably won’t end well for you.

AK-47 is a versatile weapon that can work well even in close combat. However, instead of tap shooting, you have to learn the art of “bursting”. Some guns allow you to do more accurate bursts than others. Even though AK-47 can be deadly, it is not one weapon that works well if you start spraying. There is a difference between spraying and bursting, but inexperienced players often don’t notice them. They think they’re bursting, but in reality, they are spraying.

Learning how to burst with AK-47 can make a real difference. This is one of the weapons that will allow you to land a kill with four clean shots, making it extremely dangerous in the hands of those who know how to utilize it.

Unfortunately, this weapon is not good for spraying because it becomes extremely inaccurate. That’s the reason why you should always try to move around, even for one second, so that you can avoid the awful recoil. Once you learn how to master this technique, you can utilize this weapon to its full potential.

Learn where to prefire and how to position yourself

Learning how to position yourself in CS:GO is one of the things that will allow you to become better at the game. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done because it requires you to have a lot of experience. That’s why people new to the game usually have no idea where to go.

There are all sorts of tips and tricks that you can use to learn how to position correctly. One of the techniques that usually works is to explore every popular map and check all places that will allow you to land a clean shot. Alternatively, you can watch YouTube videos that will show you all of the essential places you have to utilize.

Besides positioning, learning how and when to “prefire” can make a massive difference if you use an AK-47. Due to the fact that this weapon works well in long-range combat, it allows you to land clean headshots. You can prefire when you peak in some locations to maximize the weapon’s efficiency, such as Inferno’s banana. Pre-firing can be extremely rewarding in many circumstances, but it will take time before you learn how to utilize it to its full potential.

Stay tuned to ESTNN for more CS:GO tips and tricks and all the latest esports news!

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