In their recent update, the developers at Valve have added the ability to apply stickers to the Zeus. They also introduced the first skin for the Zeus x27 in Counter-Strike 2. Evidence that Valve would add a skin for the Zeus was found last year when some players received early access to the game's beta testing.

At that time, the Zeus x27 could be inspected, but it had no skins. But now, it's not just about the skins. In fact, the Zeus x27 is considered one of the most underrated items in the game. However, it can confidently be said that the Zeus x27 is not just an additional gun in the game, but a full-fledged item that can be used in competitive matches.

In this article, we will detail why the Zeus x27 is actually overpowered and how to use it in your competitive matches. But first, a bit of theoretical background.

What is this Zeus x27?

In the world of CS2, the Zeus x27 is not just a taser; it's a real executor of death sentences at close ranges. If your target is within 183 units, consider them gone - the Zeus will send the opponent to the afterlife on the first try. However, if the distance is between 183 and 230 units, the enemy will experience significant damage but will remain alive, probably not very happy about it. As for shooting beyond 230 units? Useless, the Zeus is powerless there.

What are these units? They are a measure of length accepted in games on the Source engine, where one unit is approximately 1.904 cm, or 1/16 of a foot. For comparison, a regular knife attack "at random" reaches only 64 units, and a more powerful strike - 48.

So, what makes the Zeus powerful? Its ability to instantly decide the outcome of close encounters makes it a unique tool in the arsenal of those who favour unexpected and decisive actions.

Moreover, in CS:GO, the Zeus x27 had only one charge, and after a successful or unsuccessful shot, the player simply threw it on the ground. But now, the Zeus x27 recharges every 30 seconds. Meaning, getting an ACE with Zeus in a ranked match is impossible, as an entire round in, for example, Premier Mode lasts 1 minute and 55 seconds, meaning you can only shoot 3 times.

But why isn't it used more often?

The Zeus x27 is considered an optimal choice for rounds with a limited budget and pistol battles. By investing just $200, you get a device capable of incapacitating an opponent with a single hit, even if the target is in the legs, which can't be said for other weapons in the game.

Of course, there are moments of failure when the Zeus x27 leaves the enemy alive, which is particularly disappointing. Nevertheless, in most cases, a single shot means a confident kill, easier to hit than using an AWP. The key to success is choosing the right position and waiting for the moment to attack.

Adding a 30-second reload time is not a new strategy by Valve to promote the Zeus x27. The developers experimented with the price: initially, it was $1000 (yes, they initially asked for a fortune for the taser), then the price dropped to $400 and further to $100.

Such an affordable price allowed players to equip themselves with weapons and armour at the start of the game, which forced the developers to raise the price to $200 slightly. Despite the low price, Zeus did not become widely popular, and even a unique animation in CS2 did not help in this regard.

Of course, a significant downside is that there is no kill reward for the Zeus x27. But this does not outweigh the benefits of using it.

How to play with the Zeus x27?

Playing with the Zeus x27 requires special tactics and strategy, considering its unique characteristics. It's best to use it on eco rounds or similar. For just $200, you get a compact AWP that kills an opponent at close range with one shot. Yes, it might be a bit of an exaggeration, but it's true.

On an eco round, having a USP-S or Glock-18 in your hands, you practically have no chance of winning the round against a full buy. But what if you stand somewhere at close range and neutralize the opponent? First, you can take their drop. If it's an M4A1S, you can consider that you just earned $2900, plus you can pick up a dropped grenade. In short, it only benefits, because with a kill using Glock-18, you only get $200, but here with Zeus, it's ten times more.

For playing with Zeus, it's best to choose the closest distances possible and wait for your opponent to push you. With this weapon, you need to adopt a very cautious playstyle and just wait. Moreover, getting killed with a Zeus provides a ton of positive emotions, and your opponents a bit of tilt. This can also affect the outcome of the match.

Conclusion

Ultimately, using Zeus is recommended only as a last resort. Its limited range of action reduces its effectiveness in the vast majority of cases, and having only one round until the ammo runs out means that a failure at the moment of the first shot dooms you to failure. The price of $200 makes it an accessible option, but it's important to remember that kills with Zeus do not bring additional bonuses, and in most situations, using a knife will be a more preferable and effective choice if the drop sum from your opponent is less than $1500.