CS2 weapon stats: damage, armor penetration, and rate of fire explained

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CS2 weapon stats: damage, armor penetration, and rate of fire explained

Every weapon in CS2 has a set of numbers that determine how it performs in a fight. Understanding these stats helps you make better buy decisions and know what to expect in a duel.

Base Damage

Base damage is the starting point for every shot. It is the number you see in the buy menu before any modifiers are applied. The actual damage an enemy takes depends on several factors: which hitbox you hit, whether they are wearing armor, and how far away they are.

Most rifles have base damage between 28 and 38. The AK-47 deals 36 damage per shot, while the M4A1-S deals 38. The AWP is the outlier at 115 damage, which is why it can kill an armored opponent with a single body shot.

Armor Penetration

Armor penetration is a percentage that determines how much damage gets through kevlar and helmets. A weapon with 100% armor penetration deals the same damage to armored and unarmored targets. The SG 553 is the only rifle with 100% armor penetration. The AK-47 has 77.5%, which means it loses about 22.5% of its damage when hitting an armored target.

Pistols vary widely. The Five-SeveN has 91.15% armor penetration, making it a strong choice against armored opponents. The Glock-18 has only 47%, so it loses more than half its damage against kevlar.

Rate of Fire

Rate of fire is measured in rounds per minute (RPM). It determines how fast the weapon cycles, but practical output depends on recoil control and accuracy. The M4A4 fires at 666 RPM, while the M4A1-S fires at 600 RPM. The difference is small, but the M4A4 has a larger magazine and faster fire rate, which matters in multi-kill situations.

The AWP fires at 41 RPM, which is slow, but its 115 damage per shot makes the low fire rate less relevant. The Negev has the highest RPM at 800, but it has a spin-up delay before reaching full accuracy.

Damage Falloff

Damage falloff reduces damage over distance. Most rifles have a falloff of around 2% to 6% per 500 units. The AK-47 has the lowest falloff at 2%, which is why it remains effective at longer ranges. The M4A1-S has a 6% falloff, so it loses damage faster at distance.

The Desert Eagle has a 15% falloff, which is high, but its 53 damage per shot means it can still kill an unarmored opponent at range.

How to Read These Stats Together

No single stat determines a weapon's value. The AK-47 is popular because it combines high damage, good armor penetration, low falloff, and a reasonable price. The M4A1-S trades some fire rate and magazine size for lower recoil and silenced fire. The AWP costs $4,750 but offers a one-shot kill potential that no other weapon matches.

When buying, consider your role and the map. On long-range maps like Mirage, the AWP's one-shot potential is worth the cost. On close-range maps like Inferno, the MAC-10's high fire rate and low price make it a strong eco choice.

Sources
[1] SteamAnalyst CS2 Weapon Stats
[2] Tradeit.gg CS2 Weapon Stats
[3] Profilerr Weapon Damage in CS2