The 2015 AWP nerf and its controversial legacy in CS:GO - Video

The AWP is a weapon that evokes many different emotions in Counter Strike fans. With a one-shot-kill to the head or torso, it can be frustrating to play against, but thrilling to see in the hands of an expert.

The iconic and devastating weapon has been tweaked and balanced in every version of CS, but CS:GO’s version of the gun was so powerful, it ended up being hit by one of the most drastic balance changes in the series’ history.

While the change was made over three years ago, the nerf remains a subject of some debate.

The heart of the question is: how much impact should one player with a specialist weapon have? And does it make sense to nerf a weapon that one in five players use if there are only a couple AWPers able to push the weapon to its absolute limit?

Written by Josh Bury (@ThrownGauntlet)
Edited by Paul Park (@phjpark)
Hosted by Daniel Rosen (@Daniel_Rosen)

Courtesy List:

Titan Shox AWP PLAY OF THE YEAR vs VIRTUS.PRO [Fragbite Masters 2014]
Courtesy: Fragbite Masters via Youtube Jordan Spence
Link: https://youtu.be/fng0a_Te72E

Steel's reaction to m0E's AWP vs CLG
Courtesy: Steel via Youtube SevenSixTwoYT
Link: https://youtu.be/uLfC3JAGaGM

CS:GO - EnVyUs vs. G2 [Train] Map 2 - IEM Katowice 2017 - EU Qualifier - LB Round 3
Courtesy: ESL Counter-Strike
Link: https://youtu.be/iYcqa1Sef4c

PGL Asia Minor Championship | Day 4 | Renegades vs TyLoo Game 2
Courtesy: PGL
Link: https://youtu.be/jgM6JfXEqhI

draken insane 1v2 awp flip retake - Gambit vs Nip Dreamhack 2017
Courtesy: Dreamhack via Youtube Gaming /Livestream Clips
Link: https://youtu.be/Z8UmKXvoLws

FNATIC JW SICK FLICK - ESL Pro League
Courtesy: ESL via Youtube ProPcGamingNetwork
Link: https://youtu.be/MYwvJApqRzY

Twist RAGE - CS:GO
Courtesy: Dreamhack via Youtube Depressed CS:GO Player
Link: https://youtu.be/jcp8II_YDmc

IEM Katowice 2018 - Fnatic vs. Liquid / Flusha Rage
Courtesy: RaFi
Link: https://youtu.be/sNsRGiXRohY

Krimz rage [IEM Katowice 2018]
Courtesy: marcinos
Link: https://youtu.be/T1-0fPLEzIo

Kennys Insane Clutch vs EZskins
Courtesy: Dreamhack
Link: https://youtu.be/TzL8QefVN9I

Coldzera AWP ace vs Big
Courtesy: PGL
Link:https://youtu.be/0gkbxJNe7wg

CS 1.6 Grand Finals: ESEA LAN Season 10 $10,000 1st Place Tournament
Courtesy: ESEA
Link: https://youtu.be/t1qSn5Wt2Js

Counter-Strike: A Brief History
Courtesy: Valve
Link: https://youtu.be/sdBjDSczgKY

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Trailer
Courtesy: Valve
Link: https://youtu.be/edYCtaNueQY

PGL Major: The Krakow Bootcamp
Courtesy: Fnatic
Link: https://youtu.be/fsZkr5z3fCo

CS:GO fnatic JW annoying awp style vs ESC [ ESEA Invite Season 18 Europe ]
Courtesy: Phinx
Link: https://youtu.be/VkrXq-SJjUQ

Tec 9 Nerf, AWP Nerf, SMG Buff, Tagging, & More!
Courtesy: TheWarOwl
Link: https://youtu.be/9j1PskI5urA

CS:GO Player Profiles - kennyS - Team EnVyUs
Courtesy: Valve
Link: https://youtu.be/33JVp70MQds

Thorin's Thoughts - The AWP Nerf (CS:GO)
Courtesy: Thooorin
Link: https://youtu.be/rsFnJYJ2buU

Pasha vs AWP after update xd
Courtesy: Pasha via Youtube oczosinkolegend
Link: https://youtu.be/yXJjDEsWIl0

CS:GO - JW best ace EVER?!
Courtesy: Mrtweeday - CSGO Gaming and more! :)
Link: https://youtu.be/nM2XGph5PPc

ELEAGUE - Major Moments: Coldzera 4K Jumping AWP, MLG Columbus 2016
Courtesy: ELEAGUE
Link: https://youtu.be/ibJUoxxIrCk

CS:GO Player Profile - Guardian - Na'Vi
Courtesy: Valve
Link: https://youtu.be/CGaGCB4LcUg

THORIN dismantles their argument (AWP Discussion with Thorin, Lurppis, Semmler and Pimp)
Courtesy: Znipe Live via Youtube FollowCS
Link: https://youtu.be/_ULZ7yL-U6c

Music used under license from Associated Production Music LLC (”APM”).

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