When To Run With Knife In CS2?

When To Run With Knife In CS2?

When playing CS2, speed can be the difference between catching your enemies off guard or getting picked off before you even fire a shot. One of the easiest ways to move faster in CS2 is to switch to your knife and run – a tactic every player has learned. 

However, the real issue lies with knowing when to pull out your knife and when to keep your gun ready. In this article, we’ll break down when it’s smart to run with your knife, and when it might cost you your life. 

What Does Running With a Knife Do in CS2?

Counter-Strike knives aren’t just for display. Pulling out the knife offers maximum movement speed in CS2, which can be critical for getting into positions early or escaping danger.

Weapon Speed Tiers

Here is a comparison between movement speed based on weapons held:

As you can see, running with the knife out is the fastest way of getting from one place to another. 

However choosing the knife sacrifices your readiness to shoot. If an enemy appears, you will need to switch to a weapon, which can take up to 1 second to pull out – often too late in close encounters.

Essentially, by running with your knife out, you are trading off speed vs. safety. 

When Should You Run With a Knife in CS2?

As discussed earlier, there’s a trade-off when running with your knife in CS2. Here are the scenarios where it’s best to pull out your knife and start running:

At Round Start – Get into Position

When the round starts, there’s no time to waste. Running with your knife will help you sprint to key positions that allow you to control the map and dictate the pace of the round. You don’t want to be late for an A Long peek on Dust II because you were too slow.

Early knife running can secure angles or utility setups before enemies arrive in position, giving you the upper hand. 

Rotating Between Sites

On the T-side, after a failed push or fake, teams will often pivot to the opposite bomb site. Pulling out a knife to rotate can let you beat defenders to the other site or catch up with your teammates. 

On the CT-side, if a teammate spots the bomb, a knife sprint can help you reposition quickly to provide backup. However, make sure the path you take is safe – beware of pesky lurkers. 

Making Long Jumps or for Movement

Certain jumps, like jumping from Mid to the top of XBox, require full speed, which means pulling out the knife to run and jump. Pulling out the knife can also be useful when running away to hide behind a corner. 

Jiggle Peeking – Info Gathering

Jiggle peeking is one of the best ways to gather information without putting yourself at risk. It’s vital to switch to the knife when jiggle peeking, as it can boost your strafe-out speed and minimize your exposure time. The same concept also applies to jump spotting. 

Hunting Down Opponents

If your opponents are saving guns, and your team is in a strong position financially, it is often wise to hunt them down. If one of your teammates has found their saving spot, you can pull out your knife to get to the location and kill them in time. 

When Should You NOT Run With a Knife in CS2?

Though running with your knife out has its benefits, there are also drawbacks that can be very punishing. Here are the scenarios where you shouldn't 

When You Have No Information

If no teammates have vision or info, you must expect an enemy anywhere. If you’re running around with your knife out, not only are you making noise, but you also won’t be ready if an enemy shows up out of nowhere. Don’t risk running into someone holding an angle while holding a knife. 

Clutch Situations

In 1vX situations, every millisecond counts. Getting caught switching from your knife to your rifle can instantly cost you the round. Even though you’re moving slower, it is wiser to have your primary weapon out the entire time unless you’re confident they won’t catch you with your knife out. 

During a Gunfight

If you’re trying to relocate during active combat, even to reposition, switching to a knife might be your demise. Use pistols instead if you must move faster but stay ready for combat. You might get spammed through smokes, chased, or surprised. 

Aggressive Pushes

If you’re looking to rush into a bomb site or clear it for a retake, you must be ready with your weapon, even while moving quickly. When rushing in, it’s better to sacrifice a little bit of movement speed to ensure you don’t die unnecessarily.