Best viewmodel settings in CS2

Here's how to adjust your gun's position to get more screen space.
Counter Strike Globabl Offensive official artwork.
Screengrab via Valve

Finding the perfect viewmodel settings for Counter-Strike 2 is one of the first things you should do after installing, and it’s essential to enhance your gameplay. While CS2 doesn’t provide as much room to chop and change where your AK sits on your screen as CS:GO does, using the best viewmodel settings is still worth looking into.

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What is a viewmodel in CS2?

CS 2 player points gun at another player
Image via Valve

In CS2, a viewmodel is the weapon and arms/hands that only you can see through a first-person perspective. Your weapon viewmodel isn’t the same as the model other players will see when they look at you.

Your viewmodel has various elements that can be altered and there are almost limitless options. You can bring your weapon closer or push it farther away from you, switch the side it sits on, or even push it further away from the center of the screen.

All of this is achievable through a series of console commands or in a workshop map. I used workshop maps for years before I started remembering the console commands. Both methods are incredibly useful and can change your game for the better.

Making the right adjustments can make your aim a lot sharper, and, once you’ve found what works best for you, you’ll never go back.

Some viewmodel settings won’t translate into your matchmaking games. The settings that alter the amount your weapon bobs or recoils when shooting are not changeable, as they would impact gameplay too much.

Why should you change your viewmodel in CS2?

It’s hard to call your gun and hands a distraction, but they occupy far more pixels than they should. You can certainly adjust basic settings to help you out here, but your best option will be to readjust your viewmodel settings through the console.

These commands allow you to move your viewmodel, gun, and hands around your screen. You’ll essentially be able to move them toward one end of your screen, freeing up more space in the middle. Similar to your sensitivity settings, viewmodel configurations are highly personalized, meaning there isn’t a single set of viewmodels that each player can consider the best.

Even your dominant eye will be an essential factor when it comes to picking out the right viewmodel settings. If you’d like to spare the time or simply can’t decide between different configurations, looking at what professional Counter-Strike players use for their viewmodel settings is a good start.

With any luck, CS2 will soon have the “cl_righthand” command that allows players to change from the right side of the screen to the other.

How to change FOV and viewmodels in CS2

To change your FOV and viewmodels in CS2, head to your settings or open up the console. The easiest of the two options is your settings, however, you won’t be able to change your FOV and viewmodel as much.

How to change your FOV in CS2

The best way to do this is to press ~ to open up your console. Once you’ve got your console open, you’ll be able to use commands to move your FOV into the perfect position. Type in viewmodel_fov 68 and adjust accordingly to find your perfect FOV.

Tip:

If you can’t open your console, go to Settings and click the magnifying glass to open the search bar. Then type Console to be taken to the specific setting. Set Enable developer console to Yes. 

How to change your viewmodel in CS2

Go to Settings by clicking the cog icon in the top left corner of the screen and head into the Game tab. Inside the Item tab, sort through which available viewmodel suits you.

However, you can delve deeper into console commands to find the perfect spot for your gun. Open up your console and type viewmodel_offset and you’ll see X, Y, and Z to choose from. These will determine how high, low, or centered your weapon will sit.

All default viewmodels in CS2

Classic

The classic viewmodel in CS2 on mirage with an ak47 pointed at a door
Get out of my way, gun. Screenshot by Dot Esports

This default viewmodel is reminiscent of prior Counter-Strike titles. Years ago (and back in my day), guns sat in the bottom right corner of your screen. This means the middle of your screen is more open, and it’ll be less likely for a player model to be completely covered by your AK on the right-hand side.

Couch

Couch viewmodel position on mirage with an ak47 pointed at a door on stairs in the a site
More gun in the way, please. Screenshot by Dot Esports

The Couch viewmodel moves your weapon further into the center of your screen (only slightly), but pushes it up higher than its classic counterpart. You’ll be more likely to have a player behind your weapon, but it gives you a full view of the weapon, which some people love. 

Desktop

Desktop viewmodel position in cs2 on mirage a site staircase with an ak47 pointed at a door
Actually, I want it the way it was before. Screenshot by Dot Esports

Desktop will make your weapon sit in the corner, but just a little higher than Classic. This is the viewmodel you’ll have by default in CS2, whereas you’ll need to select the others in the settings. 

Tip:

Once you’ve got your viewmodel set just how you want it, you can always hop into a practice match against bots to see how your new settings feel without having to worry about real players aiming to gun you down.

Best viewmodel settings for CS2

Once you’ve figured out how to open up and fiddle with your viewmodel settings, these are the best ones you can use:

  • viewmodel_fov 68
  • viewmodel_offset_x 2.5
  • viewmodel_offset_y 1
  • viewmodel_offset_z -1.5

All CS2 viewmodel commands

These commands are all you need to change your weapon’s position:

  • viewmodel_fov “?”
  • viewmodel_offset_x
  • viewmodel_offset_y
  • viewmodel_offset_z

By changing these settings bit by bit, you’ll eventually find your perfect position. 

“Offset X” will move the weapon in and out of the center of your screen, “offset Y” will change how far out you hold your weapon, and “offset Z” determines how high it is.

Viewmodels can be changed depending on the day. Don’t get stuck with one if it’s not working, make sure you experiment with all the possible viewmodels and FOV settings. Finding the best viewmodel settings for CS2 depends on whether it works for you.


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Author
Harrison Thomas
CS:GO, Overwatch, and Valorant Staff Writer - Played CS:GO since 2012 and keep a close eye on other titles. Give me a game and I'll write about it. Ranks are private information. Contact harry@dotesports.com