Counter-Strike: Source Tier List
Every weapon in Counter-Strike: Source has a place, but some are clearly stronger than others. This CSS tier list ranks all weapons from S-tier must-buys down to D-tier last resorts, considering damage output, accuracy, cost efficiency, and versatility across different round types. If you have ever stared at the buy menu wondering what to grab, this ranking settles the debate.
Table of Contents
- How the Tiers Work
- S Tier — Best in Class
- A Tier — Strong Picks
- B Tier — Situational Strengths
- C Tier — Niche Use Only
- D Tier — Avoid When Possible
- Pistol Rankings
How the Tiers Work
Weapons are ranked based on four factors: raw kill power, accuracy and recoil control, cost versus reward, and how many situations they work in. A weapon that dominates at one range but fails everywhere else lands lower than a weapon that performs well across multiple scenarios. For recommended loadouts using these weapons, check our builds guide.
S Tier — Best in Class
These weapons define the meta. You buy them whenever your economy allows.
| Weapon | Side | Cost | Why S Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| AK-47 | T | $2,500 | One-headshot kill through helmet. Best damage-per-dollar in the game. Learnable recoil pattern rewards practice. |
| M4A1 | CT | $3,100 | Silenced, accurate, and reliable. No one-tap headshot, but the consistency and stealth make it the CT standard. |
| AWP | Both | $4,750 | One-shot kill to the body or head. Controls entire sightlines. A skilled AWPer warps how the enemy plays every round. |
The AK-47 sits at the absolute top because of its price and one-headshot-kill capability. No other rifle in the game offers that combination. The M4A1 trades that instant headshot kill for a silencer that hides your tracers and muzzle flash, plus a tighter spray pattern. The AWP needs no explanation — it ends fights before they start.
A Tier — Strong Picks
Excellent weapons that you will buy regularly in specific situations or roles.
| Weapon | Side | Cost | Why A Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desert Eagle | Both | $650 | One-headshot kill at any range, even through helmet. The best eco pistol for skilled aimers. Punishing if you miss. |
| P250 | Both | $300 | Cheap, one-headshot kill at close range against armor. Best value pistol for eco rounds by a wide margin. |
| FAMAS | CT | $2,250 | Budget CT rifle with burst-fire mode. Fills the gap when you cannot afford an M4A1. Solid first-shot accuracy. |
| Galil | T | $1,800 | Cheapest rifle available to Terrorists. Spray is manageable, and it outguns every SMG. Great for force buys. |
| MP5 | Both | $1,500 | Accurate SMG with $600 kill reward. Dominates close to mid-range and pays for itself with two kills. |
The Desert Eagle deserves special mention. In the hands of a player with sharp aim, it punches far above its $650 price tag. But its slow fire rate and heavy recoil after the first shot make it unreliable for average players. The P250, by contrast, rewards anyone willing to close the distance.
B Tier — Situational Strengths
These weapons work in specific contexts but should not be your default choice.
| Weapon | Side | Cost | Why B Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| SG 552 | T | $3,500 | Scoped rifle with high armor penetration. Accurate at long range but expensive for T side. The scope slows your play. |
| AUG | CT | $3,500 | CT scoped rifle. Useful on maps with long sightlines like de_dust2 mid. The unscoped spray is awkward. |
| UMP-45 | Both | $1,200 | Cheapest SMG with decent damage. Poor accuracy limits it to very close range. Economy filler at best. |
| P90 | Both | $2,350 | 50-round magazine, high rate of fire. Sprays down corridors effectively. Terrible accuracy beyond close range and low kill reward ($300). |
| Shotgun (XM1014) | Both | $3,000 | Auto-shotgun destroys at point-blank range. Useless beyond ten meters. Map-specific pick for tight corners on maps like de_inferno apartments. |
The P90 is a trap for new players. Its large magazine and high fire rate feel powerful, but the low armor penetration and $300 kill reward make it a poor investment compared to the MP5 or a budget rifle. Use it only when you plan to hold a very tight angle.
C Tier — Niche Use Only
You might buy these once in twenty games. They exist for very specific scenarios.
| Weapon | Side | Cost | Why C Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scout (SSG 08) | Both | $2,750 | Bolt-action sniper, one-headshot kill. Cheaper than the AWP but requires headshots for one-shot kills. Good for eco-AWPing. |
| MAC-10 | T | $1,400 | Fast-firing SMG. High kill reward but wild spray. Only buy when you need the $600 reward and plan to fight in hallways. |
| TMP | CT | $1,250 | Silenced CT SMG. Low damage makes it a poor choice even for eco rounds. The silencer is its only advantage. |
| Shotgun (M3) | Both | $1,700 | Pump-action shotgun. One-shot kill up close, but the pump delay between shots is fatal if you miss. |
| Five-SeveN | CT | $750 | CT pistol with 20-round magazine. Decent armor penetration. Outclassed by the P250 in nearly every situation. |
| Dual Berettas | T | $800 | Large magazine, but terrible accuracy and slow reload. More fun than functional. |
The Scout holds an interesting position. Skilled players use it as a budget sniper during half-buys, jumping and peeking for headshots. Its light weight allows faster movement than any other weapon, making it effective for aggressive mobile play. But most players get more value from a Galil or FAMAS.
D Tier — Avoid When Possible
These weapons actively hurt your chances of winning. Buy them only when you literally cannot afford anything else.
| Weapon | Side | Cost | Why D Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| M249 | Both | $5,750 | Costs more than an AWP with none of the advantages. Massive magazine but terrible accuracy and slow movement speed. Never buy this. |
| Negev | Both | $5,000 | Same problems as the M249. Expensive, inaccurate, and slows you to a crawl. |
| Glock (default T pistol) | T | $0 | Weak damage, poor armor penetration. You are stuck with it on pistol round. Upgrade immediately when possible. |
| USP (default CT pistol) | CT | $0 | Better than the Glock thanks to the silencer and accuracy, but still underpowered. Replace it after the pistol round. |
The machine guns occupy D tier because they cost as much as an AWP while performing worse than a $2,500 AK-47 in every measurable way. Their only theoretical advantage is suppressive fire, but in a game where headshots decide fights, volume of inaccurate fire means nothing.
Pistol Rankings
Since pistol rounds happen every half and eco rounds happen frequently, here is a quick pistol-specific ranking.
- Desert Eagle — High skill ceiling, one-tap potential at all ranges
- P250 — Best budget option, strong armor penetration
- Five-SeveN — Decent CT alternative with large magazine
- USP — Accurate but weak. Serviceable as a sidearm
- Glock — Burst mode helps slightly, but you want to replace it fast
- Dual Berettas — Fun, unreliable, not recommended for competitive play
Understanding these rankings helps you make faster decisions in the buy menu. Pair this knowledge with our buy strategy guide and beginner's guide to build a solid foundation for every round.