In the intense gunfights of the Counter-Strike games, seeing an enemy before they see you can end a fight before it's started. Most players plan around this, crouching in places they can't be seen. However, there is a counter to most camping spots - changing hands to alter the way you hold your gun.
This was an option in previous Counter-Strike games, and one that experienced players used to gain a slight edge over their enemies. But has the feature returned in Counter-Strike 2? This guide will share everything we know about the fate and future of the feature.
How to change hands in CS2
In previous Counter-Strike games, swapping the hand your gun was in fairly simple - just type a command into the console. You didn't need to be an expert programmer, just capable of turning cl_righthand 1 into cl_righthand 0. This could even be taken a step further, setting the command to a key bind that let you swap sides with the press of a button. I found it a bit nauseating to watch, but tactical advantages come in all shapes and sizes.
Most players were shocked to find that these commands are useless in the newly released Counter-Strike 2. If you've gotten used to keeping your gun on the left or swapping as needed, it's been a nerve-wracking few months as the feature was missing from the CS2 beta.
The commands still don't work, so as of the time of writing, you can't change hands in CS2. Some have speculated that this is because of the new and improved shadow systems being impacted by the feature. It doesn't mean that hand changing will never be in the game, but fans definitely feel like something is missing, and should let their voices be heard.
What is the command for changing hands in CS2?
Strangely, the command for changing hands is still in the game despite not working. It's even been changed slightly, implying someone at Valve is aware of the left-handed struggle. cl_righthand 1 has now become cl_righthand true, so if hand changing ever returns, you should type cl_righthand false to get back to business as usual.
If you're mourning the hopefully-temporary loss of your favourite feature but still hungry for more Counter-Strike 2, check out our guides on unlocking new crosshairs and find out if players banned from CS:GO can rejoin the fun. We've also got information on the best settings, and can tell you all about the new tick rate changes. Good luck - may your knives be ever-spinning!