After changing the Five-SeveN and the Tec-9 to reinforce “skillful use of the weapons”, a new beta branch update has emerged. In this update, called 1.36.0.3-rc1, Valve has, per patch-notes:
- Significantly reduced unarmored aimpunch.
- Additional changes to pistols with the goal of emphasizing skillful use of the weapons.
- Glock: Slight adjustments favoring accurate players who close the distance to their opponent.
- Increased base damage
- Reduced damage at longer distances
- Slightly improved accuracy while firing rapidly
- Slightly improved accuracy while moving
P250: The P250 has been adjusted to reward longer-distance engagements, particularly against unarmored opponents.
- Increased base damage
- Reduced armor penetration
- Improved damage at longer distances
- Reduced accuracy while moving
With this update, Valve doubles-down on their approach to re-balancing the pistols and therefore the overall gameplay of CS:GO. Not just did they change the Glock by increasing base damage and making it more accurate overall, they also touched on the P250 and CZ-75, taking the ability to one-hit-headshot close range opponents away from both guns, leaving Five-SeveN, Tec-9 and the Deagle the only pistols that are able to do that to armoured opponents.
With the way they changed the accuracy and the damage of the P250, it will see more tactical usage in eco-rounds, allowing you to smartly play out long-range duels if you adjust your movement correctly. Since the one-hit-headshot is gone, it may see more usage in a pack-like attack or defence, where more than one player will fight against an enemy.
If Valve keeps going this way, we will soon see a dramatic shift in the overall balancing of CS:GO, as this reinforces the importance of buy-rounds and smart money-management. Better guns will be even better compared to their pistol counterparts, leaving force-buys with much utility and pistols less likely.
Valkyrie 