Opening kill (first kill)
Why it matters
After the opening kill, the round is five against four. In pro CS2, the team that gets the first kill wins a large majority of rounds, because:
- it has more players to take or defend a bombsite;
- the other team has to play more carefully, which costs time;
- the dead player's weapon is often lost too.
The losing team can still recover with a fast trade: if the opening kill is traded straight away, the round is even again at four against four.
Who takes opening duels
- On the T side, the entry fragger goes first into a site and takes most opening duels.
- The AWPer often looks for an opening pick from a long distance on either side.
Stat sites show opening kills and deaths for each player, for example as opening kills per round or an opening success rate. A player with many opening kills and few opening deaths is very valuable, because every won opening duel puts the team ahead.
Learn more in CT Side vs T Side.
Related guides
CT Side vs T Side: How Sides and Halftime Work in CS2In CS2, Terrorists attack and Counter-Terrorists defend. How each side wins a round, when teams switch at halftime and which maps favor CT or T side.
EntryThe entry fragger is the CS2 player who goes into a bombsite first to take the opening fight.
TradeA trade in CS2 is when a player kills the enemy who just killed a teammate, so the fight ends even.
AWPerThe AWPer is the CS2 player who uses the AWP, a $4,750 sniper rifle that kills with one body shot.
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