This SSG 08 CS2 guide explains what the Scout actually does, what it costs and when it beats a rifle or an AWP. The SSG 08 is a bolt-action sniper rifle that both teams can buy. It is cheap, light and very forgiving to move with. It also punishes you hard when you miss.
Many players treat the Scout as a meme gun. That is a mistake. Used in the right round, it wins duels a cheap SMG never could. Used in the wrong round, it leaves your team a player short.
What are the SSG 08 CS2 stats?
The numbers below are the values we checked for the current game. Damage figures are per shot against a full-health target.
| Stat | SSG 08 |
|---|---|
| Price | $1,700 |
| Kill reward (Competitive) | $300 |
| Magazine | 10 rounds |
| Base damage | 88 |
| Headshot | Kills, with or without a helmet |
| Stomach shot | 110 unarmoured, 93 armoured |
| Chest shot | 88 unarmoured, 74 armoured |
| Running speed | 230 units per second |
The key line is the headshot. Any head hit kills. A single body shot does not kill an armoured player at full health. That means you either aim for the head or you rely on a teammate to finish the damage.
Why the Scout feels so different
Movement
The SSG 08 runs at 230 units per second. That is close to pistol speed and much faster than the AWP. Scoping in does not slow you down either. You can reposition between shots, take a fresh angle and still get there in time.
Jump accuracy
The Scout has one famous trick. If you are scoped and reach the very top of a jump, the shot is accurate. Every other weapon loses most of its accuracy in the air. This lets you jump over a box, catch someone holding low and land a headshot. It is a skill shot, so practise it offline before trying it in a match.
Fire rate
The bolt cycle is slow. It is a little faster than the AWP, but a missed first shot usually means you lose the duel. Treat every shot as the one that counts.
When should you buy the SSG 08?
The Scout is a situational buy. These are the rounds where it tends to pay off.
- Light buys and force buys. At $1,700 it fits beside armour when a full rifle buy is not possible. Pair it with the advice in our force buy guide.
- Long, open angles. Maps with long sightlines reward a one-tap gun far more than an SMG.
- Saving your AWPer's economy. A sniper who cannot afford a $4,750 AWP can still hold the same angle with a Scout.
- Anti-eco rounds against unarmoured players. A stomach shot kills a player without armour, so even sloppy aim can win.
Avoid the Scout when your role is to take close fights. Entry players and site anchors in tight spots are better off with a rifle or SMG. Check the buy prices for every option on our CS2 weapon prices page.
How to win more fights with the Scout
- Pre-aim head level. Because body shots rarely kill, good crosshair placement matters even more than usual.
- Stop before you shoot. The Scout is only accurate when you stand still or hit the jump peak. Learn counter-strafing so you stop instantly.
- Shoot, then move. After a shot, step out of sight while the bolt cycles. Re-peek from a new spot if you can.
- Play with a trade partner. A teammate close by can punish the enemy who survived your body shot.
- Quick-scope sparingly. Firing the moment the scope opens works at close range, but it takes practice. Unscoped shots are not reliable.
SSG 08 vs AWP: which one?
The AWP kills with almost any upper-body hit. The Scout does not. In return, the Scout costs $3,050 less and lets you move much faster. If your team has the money and you can hold an angle, the AWP is stronger. If money is tight or you need mobility, the Scout is the better fit. Our AWPer role guide covers how snipers fit a team plan, and the weapon categories guide shows where the Scout sits among all guns.
Sources and checks
Prices, damage values and movement speeds in this guide were checked on 2 November 2026 against the Counter-Strike Wiki SSG 08 page and cross-checked with community CS2 stat databases. Valve can change weapon values in any update, so treat the in-game buy menu as the final word.
Frequently asked questions
Does the SSG 08 one-shot in CS2?
Only with a headshot, or a stomach shot on a player without armour. A single body shot does not kill an armoured player at full health.
How much does the SSG 08 cost in CS2?
It costs $1,700 and gives a $300 kill reward in Competitive. Check the in-game buy menu after updates in case Valve changes it.
Is the Scout accurate while jumping?
Yes, if you are scoped and fire at the very top of the jump. It is the only CS2 weapon with this property, and it takes practice to time.
