In Counter-Strike 2, two types of armour are available for purchase: a vest with and without a helmet, with a notable price difference between them. However, how often do you ponder over which armour to buy in a given round? Probably not as often as the game actually requires. In 90% of the rounds, players buy the vest with a helmet without considering that in certain rounds, they could save money by only buying the vest.
For example, after winning a round, if you have a vest with 80% durability left, you might still buy a new one without realizing that it would protect you just as well as the previous one. This article aims to definitively address this topic.
Armour Types in Counter-Strike 2
A protective set consisting of a vest is available for $650, while a set with a helmet costs $1000. If the vest remains undamaged, a helmet can be purchased separately for $350 at the start of a new round. If the vest is damaged, it must be repurchased at its original price.
The "Vest plus Helmet" set's functionality remains unchanged regardless of the armour's wear level, which can vary from 30 to 100. The armour's damage absorption efficiency remains stable throughout its use.
How does Armour work in CS2?
The armour mechanism in Counter-Strike 2 differs from most multiplayer shooters: it doesn't act as an invisible barrier. Instead, the armour only reduces a certain portion of damage, the amount of which depends on the type of weapon used by the opponent. With each absorbed hit, the armour's protection level decreases, and when it drops to zero, the armour completely disappears.
Armour protects not only from gunfire but also from various other dangers, including explosives and melee weapons. Interestingly, armour effectively reduces damage even from direct grenade hits or C4 detonatioBuyns!
What Armour Doesn't Protect Against
Armour in Counter-Strike 2 does not offer protection against certain types of threats. For example, it is entirely ineffective against damage from SG 553 rifle shots and incendiary grenade hits, which guarantee maximum damage. Additionally, wearing armour does not affect movement speed, jump distance, weapon recoil, or the character's visual appearance.
More on Armor Benefits
One of the key benefits of wearing armour in Counter-Strike 2 is not so much the reduction in damage taken, but the minimization of aim punch, or "recoil kick," experienced when hit by an enemy. This effect is significantly reduced by armour, and with a helmet, it is virtually eliminated, providing a more stable aim.
You might have noticed the severe screen shake when hit by an opponent without wearing a vest. That's the effect.
Helmets play a crucial role in protecting the player's head from shots. Out of all the weapons in the game, only twelve models can kill a player with a single headshot when wearing a helmet, and only eight of these can do so from a distance of several meters.
Choosing Armour and When
Now, let's move to the most interesting part of our article. When can you save on armour, and when should you buy both a helmet and a vest? Start with the principle that you should buy some form of armour in every round you play. The exceptions are purely economic rounds or semi-economic ones, where you might want to buy a Desert Eagle but can't afford armour. You might also skip armour in pistol rounds. Why?
In pistol rounds, you can only buy a vest, but there's a high chance of being sent to the lobby with a headshot from a Glock-18 or USP-S. So, you might save the $650 for grenades or a better pistol. Ultimately, the decision is yours, but remember this in your competitive matches.
When to save and buy only a vest? It's simple when playing on the defence side and confident that your opponent has a full buy. This means they are playing with AK-47s, which can kill you with a single headshot regardless of whether you have a helmet. So, why spend an extra $350?
On the other hand, on the attacking side, it's generally better to always buy full armour for $1000. It protects you from being killed with the first bullet from M4A1S/M4A4 or a stray bullet from a USP-S. Especially when you know your opponents have farm guns or something similar.
Of course, when you have plenty of money, don't skimp on armour and buy both a helmet and a vest. It will never hinder you, and you won't even feel it on you. It's not like carrying 10 kilograms of potatoes.
When to Rebuy Armour?
An important question that might concern players is whether to replenish armour at the start of a round. When you have 80% vest durability, you can buy a helmet for $350 or restore armour for $650. But is it necessary?
If your regular vest's durability is not below 75%, there's no need to restore your armour. Obviously, if it's lower, update it without a second thought. And, of course, always rebuy a helmet if you can.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the vest provides a reliable barrier against most types of damage, while the helmet securely protects the head from shots from many types of weapons in Counter-Strike 2. The main advantage of using armour lies in its ability to perform its functions effectively, regardless of the degree of wear. This allows players to save money by avoiding the need to constantly purchase new protection.
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