Counter-Strike is such a dynamic and challenging game that barely anything is ever consistent. No two rounds play out exactly the same way, especially with factors such as spawn locations, team economy, and basic human error getting in the way of what could have been a flawlessly executed plan on paper. The weapons each player brings to the battlefield usually dictate how the round goes especially when the resources on both sides are clearly uneven. Of all the things that could go wrong at the start of every round, there’s always one thing that remains consistent and reliable each and every single time: your starting pistol.
How to Change Starting Pistol CS2
The method in which one can change their loadout’s default starting pistol in CS2 has not changed all that much from Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, with only the interface having a significant difference. For the Counter-Terrorist side, there are two pistol choices for players to equip based purely on preference: the P2000 and the USP-S. Either can be interchanged by accessing the loadout screen from the main menu and dragging the icon of either the P2000 or the USP-S over the other. Upon any user’s first launch of CS2, the P2000 is the default starting CT pistol so changing over to the USP-S will always require accessing the loadout prior to hopping on a match.
Meanwhile, the starting pistol for the Terrorist side will always be the Glock-18 as there are no other options but that gun. You can, however, select a different Glock-18 weapon finish or skin to show off in place of the default design by going through your inventory and selecting the option to equip on your T side loadout. This also applies to both CT CS2 pistols.
Is the USP-S or P2000 Better?
Both the USP-S and P2000 are on the same level in terms of outright performance given that they are still in the starting pistol category, thus being the simplest weapon accessible. The USP-S comes with a silencer (hence the S), which serves as its biggest selling point. The silencer makes its shots significantly more muted and slightly more accurate, especially from distance. The USP’s drawback, however, is its low ammunition capacity and slower rate of fire making it not the greatest of choices under heavy fire or even against the Terrorist side’s Glock-18.
The P2000 is the direct opposite of the USP-S as its design was created with a more aggressive approach. It features a larger amount of reserve bullets and a faster fire rate, making it a better opening round match to a barrage of Glock-18s pushing down an area. It does not come with its own silencer and is less accurate from distance compared to the USP-S, making stealth scenarios a less favorable situation when wielding the P2000.
Overall, it’s impossible to have a clear-cut winner on which starting pistol is truly better since they both have strengths for different scenarios. It is also advised not to rely on having either the USP-S or P2000 throughout the entire match as more dependable upgrades such as the Five-SeveN and Desert Eagle will be available for purchase.