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How To Use The Zeus x27 in CS2

zeus- x27 guide

There can be no doubt that the Zeus x27 has to be one of the most unique weapons in the world of Counter-Strike – and is even better in CS2 than it was in the Global Offensive game. 

Commonly referred to as the ‘taser’, this is an electrifying weapon that can deliver a one-shot kill at close range, which makes it a situational weapon… but one that can really make an impact when you use it correctly. 

Here, we’re going to look at exactly what the Zeus x27 is – and all of our top tips so that you can use it effectively.

What is the Zeus x27?

First off, let’s look at what the Zeus x27 actually is. Well, basically, it’s a close-range weapon that works a bit like a taser. Because you can get it for around $200, it’s one of the cheapest weapons in Counter-Strike… but you also have to consider that its utility is very specific. Because you can use it to instantly kill an enemy – as long as you’re within its effective range, it’s very much a high-risk, high-reward option. 

However, because of its limited range, it’s definitely more of a tactical or novelty choice rather than one you’d choose as one of your main weapons.

About the Zeus x27

  • Cost: Around $200
  • Kill Reward: $0
  • Range: The gun is most effective when you’re within about 3 meters.
  • Ammunition: 30 second cooldown
  • Kill Type: It is an instant kill when you use it within range.
  • Drop Chance: Because the Zeus x27 is best for the one shot due to its slow cooldown time, you’ll be left vulnerable if you do miss your one shot.

How the Zeus x27 Works

The Zeus x27 is not your standard firearm – and how it works and how you’d use it is very different from some of the more traditional weapons in Counter-Strike. 

  1. A One-Shot Kill: The Zeus is guaranteed to kill an opponent with a single shot- as long as your enemy is within range. This makes it an excellent choice if you’re looking to make a surprise attack.
  2. Short Range: This is not a long-range weapon. Indeed, its effective range is just under three meters which means that you will have to get uncomfortably close to your opponent if you want to shoot to kill.
  3. Slow Ammo Recovery: The Zeus has a 30 second cool down – which means that if you miss, you may not get a second chance – and it potentially leaves you very vulnerable in those moments.
  4. Noise: When you fire the Zeus, you’ll notice that it creates pretty distinctive sound cues that could alert any of your enemies that are nearby… so make sure you’re mindful of your surroundings when you use it.

How to Spawn the Zeus x27 in CS2

Here’s how you can get a Zeus x27…

  • Standard Matches: You can buy the Zeus x27 from the gear section in the buy menu.
  • Custom Matches: Use the console command give weapon_taser  – and you’ll spawn the Zeus immediately.

Key Binding: If you want even quicker access during custom games, you can bind the command to a key:

bind “key” give weapon_taser: Where you replace “key” with your preferred key (e.g., F or V)

When to Use the Zeus x27

First of all, the Zeus x27 wasn’t ever designed to be your main weapon. Because it has such a limited range, it’s a great choice – but only for specific situations:

Eco Rounds

If you’re playing an economy round – and you and your team don’t have much money to spend on other weapons, the Zeus can be a pretty cheap gamble for securing that unexpected kill. If when you use it, you’re patient and put yourself in the right positions, you just might be able to get yourself a weapon upgrade from the enemy you kill.

Close-Quarters Combat

The Zeus x27 is a great option if you’re fighting in a tight space – such as in corridors, corners, or chokepoints. You’ll find lots of great opportunities to catch your enemy off guard when you’re playing on maps like Inferno (apartments) or Mirage (underpass).

Clutch Situations

If you’re in a clutch situation where you need to save money, the Zeus could potentially be that wildcard that shifts the odds. If you spot that there’s an enemy that’s low on health and you think you’re able to close the distance, the Zeus could well be your best bet.

Making a Humiliation Kill

Let’s face it— killing your opponent with the Zeus will also add some style to your gaming. If you and your team are already dominating a match, getting that cheeky little Zeus kill can be a great way to assert your dominance or just have a bit of fun – and play with your enemy… like a cat with a mouse.

Using the Zeus x27 Effectively

However, as we said, if you make a hash of it, this is a pretty unforgiving weapon choice… so here’s how you can use it effectively…

1: Master the Range

Ultimately, this is a weapon that has a maximum effective range of under 3 meters, which means you will need to be very close to your target to get that perfect kill shot. You should practise estimating this range when you’re in-game to make sure that you don’t miss your shot. If you’re too far away, the shot simply won’t connect, and you’ll lose your chance of that one-shot kill.

2: It’s All About Positioning

If you want to use the Zeus x27 effectively, you need to make sure that you’ve positioned yourself in a spot where your enemies are likely to get close to you… but without realizing it. Some of the best positions to consider are:

  • Corners: You’ll need to hold a tight angle where your enemies won’t be able to spot you until they’re within shooting distance.
  • Chokepoints: You could also place yourself at a chokepoint… areas where your enemies will have to pass through, such as entrances to bombsites or narrow hallways. These spots are perfect.
  • Sneaky Spots: Hide behind crates, doors, or walls to surprise opponents.

3: Play Mind Games

You might want to try baiting your enemies into rushing you. You can pretend to be defenseless or caught off-guard so that you lure them closer, then go in and strike with your Zeus for an instant kill.

4: Use it With Other Gear

Using it with utility and grenades like smokes or flashes is a great way to help you close the distance – and get you within the shooting range needed for the Zeus. For example:

  • Flashbang: You can use a Flashbang to blind your opponent – and then rush them when they’re disoriented.
  • Smoke Grenade: There’s also the option of using a smoke to try to block their vision – which can give you the opportunity to sneak up on your enemy – and shoot!

5: Patience is a Virtue

Using the Zeus x27 is all about patience. You need to wait for your target to come to you rather than trying to chase them down yourself. You’ll find that enemies often underestimate the power of the Zeus, which can give you the upper hand if you find yourself fighting at close quarters.

6: Learn the Maps You’re Using it On

There are some maps that are better for Zeus kills than others. That’s why it’s a good idea to try to familiarize yourself with the various close-quarters areas and hiding spots where you’d best be able to ambush your opponents. Some of the very best map locations for using it are:

  • Inferno: In the apartments, boiler room and banana lane.
  • Mirage: In the underpass, connector and palace.
  • Dust II: In the Tunnels and lower B.
  • Nuke: In the Vents and the ramp.

How to Use the Zeus x27 with Your Team

The Zeus can be even more effective when you manage to use it in coordination with your team – as follows…

  • Bait-and-Switch: Get one of your teammates to bait the enemy into chasing them – and you can be right there, waiting in a corner with your Zeus.
  • Trade Potential: If one of your teammates is pretty low on health and looks as though they might die, you can use your Zeus to trade efficiently when you’re in close-range scenarios.
  • Eco Round Strategies: When on an eco round, work together and coordinate with your team to set traps – where you and some of the others can ambush your enemies with your Zeus x27s.

Out Top Tips and Tricks

If you want to start using it at a higher level, then here are some of our top Zeus x27 tips and tricks to try out…

  • Crouch Down for Precision: When you’re using the Zeus, crouching down can make it a bit easier for you to align your shot, especially if you’re trying to hit a moving target.
  • Knife + Zeus Combo: If you’re within the Zeus range, you can use the knife as a fallback option if you do miss your Zeus shot.
  • Timing is Everything: You have to be sure that you’ve waited until the enemy is fully within range before you fire the shot. If you rush the shot, it’s more likely that you’ll end up missing.
  • Be Quiet: Don’t give your position away with loud footsteps – as this will give the game away!

When Should You NOT Use the Zeus x27?

As we stated at the beginning, the Zeus is a situational weapon and there are a number of scenarios where it’s a bad weapon choice… Here are some of the situations where it’s best avoided. 

  • Long-Range Maps: If you’re playing on maps like Overpass or Train, the fights will mostly be at long-range, which means it’s not a great weapon to choose.
  • High-Stakes Rounds: You should also avoid choosing the Zeus if you’re in a crucial round.. where every dollar you spend and every decision you make could be the difference between winning or losing.
  • When Playing Against Aware Enemies: You’ll find that skilled opponents are a lot less likely to fall for your Zeus traps – so it will be harder to land that kill shot.

Some Fun Facts About Your Zeus x27 

  • A Humiliating Way to Die: The fact is that getting killed by a Zeus is seen by lots of players as an embarrassing way to die… which adds a real psychological element to using it.
  • Pro Play Moments: While they are few and far between, there have been some professional matches where players have used the Zeus to pull off unexpected (and humiliating) kills.
  • Achievements: If you do manage to land a Zeus kill, it can count towards certain in-game achievements, which makes it worth trying out for completionists.

Tips for Improving Zeus x27 Accuracy in CS2

Here are some of our top tips for ensuring complete accuracy with your CS2:

  1. Perfect Crosshair Placement: Make sure you position your crosshair slightly away from the wall’s edge when you’re peeking around corners. This means you’ll be ready for fast engagements without being too tight, so there’s less chance of missing that all-important shot due to over-adjustment.
  2. Target the Body: With the Zeus x27, a body shot will guarantee a kill in close range. So – focus your shot on the torso instead of the head, particularly when going for a moving target. This should improve your hit probability – a lot!
  3. Silence is Golden: One of the most effective strategies with the Zeus is to make sure you stay undetected. Don’t run or make any unnecessary noise, especially if you’re preparing for a Zeus ambush.
  4. Strategic Backup Usage: Only use the Zeus x27 as a situational secondary weapon. Use it during close-quarters engagements or when your main weapon is out of ammo. Enemies generally won’t expect a sudden taser attack, so you’ll have the advantage.

The Top Zeus x27 Kill Strategies by Map

How and when you use the Zeus x27 depends very much on what map you’re playing. Let’s take a look…

Inferno

  • Apartments: With your Zeus in hand, hold a tight angle near the bedroom or boiler – and pounce.
  • Banana: You can wait behind the car or logs to surprise your enemy at close ranges.
  • Pit: Hide in the pit near A site, and you might catch rushing enemies off guard.

Mirage

  • Connector: Crouch down near the stairs and wait for enemies pushing from mid.
  • Palace: Wait near the exit to ambush any enemies who are entering the A site.
  • Underpass: Hide along the wall for unsuspecting players rotating from mid.

Dust II

  • Tunnels: Try to position yourself near the entrance with your Zeus x27 to catch any enemy trying to attack B-site.
  • Lower Tunnels: Use it to surprise enemy players rotating to mid.
  • A Long: You can hide in the corner near the pit and ambush any attackers.

Nuke

  • Vents: With your Zeus in hand, wait for enemy players dropping down from the A site.
  • Ramp: You can try and use your Zeus to counter-push any attackers who are advancing to B site.
  • Outside: Hide out near the boxes and try to catch any enemies who are rotating to secret.

Zeus x27 Skins

When CS2 launched, Valve first introduced skins for the Zeus x27… and then, in the most recent CS2 update, they decided to give you the ability to add stickers to your weapon as well, for even more customization. Let’s take a look at the best skins – and stickers – to add to your weapon!

1: Zeus x27 | Dragon Snore

This is a stunning skin that has a well designed and intricate pattern with a magical and mythical dragon theme.

The Variants:

  • Factory New: These are highly sought after, and you’ll find that they cost between $91.77 and $120, depending on the marketplace – so shop around.
  • Field-Tested: This is a more affordable option, which can be bought for around $33-$37.
  • StatTrak Versions: You’ll find StatTrak versions available that will track your kills, making it a rare collectable if you can find one.

2: Zeus x27 | Olympus

This one is part of the Kilowatt Collection, added as part of the Call to Arms update – and it’s stunning. This skin has a real sleek and electrifying design that has been inspired by mythology – the Greek God of Thunder. It looks particularly good with the Titan sticker, thanks to its lightning bolt look.

The Variants:

  • Factory New: If you want to get a Factory New version, expect to pay around $15-$16.
  • Minimal Wear and Well-Worn: These are the mid-range options and are very affordable… costing around $8-$12.
  • StatTrak Versions: You’ll also find StatTrack versions available that come with slightly higher pricing and have that special collectibility factor.

Zeus x27 Skin Availability and Trade Value

The skins you’ll find for this weapon are classified from Classified to Mil-Spec rarity – which means that some of them are pretty rare and sought-after by both collectors and players.

If you want to go for the biggest hitting skin to adorn your weapon, then the Dragon Snore is generally the most expensive option. If you’re on more of a budget, then the Zeus Olympus skins still look great, but they are friendlier to your bank account. You can also think about adding stickers, like the Titan Sticker, which can add even more appeal.

Where to Get Them

You can get Zeus x27 skins in a number of ways – opening certain cases, trading with other players, or buying them on one of the many marketplaces. If you are a collector, then we’d recommend going for Factory New or StatTrak variants – as these generally have a better investment value.

How to Use the Zeus x27 in CS2 Conclusion

If you know what you’re doing, the Zeus x27 is so much more than just a novelty weapon. This is a tactical tool that, when you use it to its full effect, can lead to some surprising and pretty impactful plays. While it’s only good for certain gameplay situations, if you do manage to master the Zeus, it really can add a whole extra dimension to your CS2 gameplay. 

So, whether you’re using it to secure that clutch eco kill, use it for ambush tactics, or you just want to have fun with it – and try to humiliate and punish opponents, the Zeus x27 is definitely a weapon that’s well worth exploring.

Hopefully, with all of our top tips and strategies, you’ll be able to make the most out of this weapon, use the Zeus effectively – and make those sparks fly.

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