How to Peek Effectively in CS2

Summary

The speaker emphasizes optimizing the way you peek corners in CS:GO to gain an advantage, with three main points: peek as fast as possible to catch enemies off guard; stop your movement quickly after peeking to shoot accurately; and place your crosshair correctly beforehand so you barely need to adjust aim. They explain why techniques like holding W or peeking too close to a corner are inefficient, recommending instead to strafe horizontally from farther back using A and D keys while minimizing visible body parts. Mastering these mechanics, though basic, can hugely impact performance.

Takeaways

• 😀 Peek from as far back from the corner as possible to minimize exposed hitbox and allow faster swinging
• 👣 Never peek while moving forward (W key), only strafe peek horizontally
• ⚡️ Gain momentum during your peek by swinging from further back to throw off enemy aim
• 👟 Counter strafe (tap opposite movement key) to stop quickly after swinging
• 🎯 Pre-place crosshair where enemies will be before peeking
• 📐 Peek diagonally only when necessary since it slows horizontal velocity
• ✅ Checklist: peek from max distance, gain speed, stop fast, place crosshair well
• 😢 Common mistakes: peeking too close, moving forward, failing to counter strafe
• 👍 Proper peeking fundamentals work at all levels and require no utility
• 😊 Learn peeking step-by-step: distance first, then speed/stopping, then crosshair

Q & A

Why is it important to peek from as far back from the corner as possible?

Peeking further back minimizes how much of your hitbox is visible to the enemy before you can see them. This gives them less time to react and makes it harder for them to hit you.

What are the two main reasons you should never peek while moving forward with the W key?

First, moving diagonally slows down your maximum horizontal movement speed. Second, it makes crosshair placement much more difficult when swinging around a corner.

What are the three fundamental things to focus on when peeking corners?

1. Peek as fast as possible. 2. Stop your movement as quickly as possible after peeking. 3. Place your crosshair where it needs to be to click the enemy as fast as possible.

Why is counter strafing by tapping A and D better than using W and S?

Tapping A and D keeps your left hand fingers in place and is a simple motion. Using W and S requires moving your middle finger off W down to S, which is awkward and messy even for very experienced players.

What should your crosshair placement be when peeking?

Your crosshair should be placed near where you expect the enemy to be, to minimize the adjustment you need to make before shooting.

How can proper peeking fundamentals help you even without utility support?

Even without flashes or smokes to help your entry, smart peeking gives you an advantage versus opponents by catching them off guard and making yourself harder to hit.

Why is peeking while crab walking usually ineffective?

Crab walking puts you closer to the angle, exposing more of yourself sooner. It also doesn't allow you to swing out at full speed or minimize the time spent vulnerable.

What should you do if you don't have room to peek from maximum distance?

Peek from as far back as possible given the space you have, focus on swinging out at full speed, and counter strafe quickly to shoot accurately.

What common mistakes do lower ranked players make when peeking?

Walking all the way out while holding W, not stopping movement before shooting, poor crosshair placement, and peeking from very close to the angle.

How can new Counter Strike players start applying proper peeking fundamentals?

Start by just focusing on a simple checklist - peek from max distance, swing out with full momentum on one movement key, counter strafe by tapping the other key, and keep crosshair placement in mind throughout.