How to Win Knife Rounds?
In CS 2, the knife has two types of attacks: slashing (left mouse button) and stabbing (right mouse button). The slashing attack is faster and has longer reach, but deals less damage, so newcomers often attempt only stabbing. However, the slashing attack has another trick: the first hit deals more damage (34) than the subsequent ones.
The winning tactic is very simple: while at a distance from the opponent, hit them twice with slashing attacks, then close the gap and finish with stabbing. This way, the opponent won't be able to take away a large portion of your health immediately.
Having trouble remembering the difference between stabbing and slashing? Then always remember the simple formula before a knife duel: "left-left-right." This is the correct and most advantageous combination of attacks with different mouse buttons.
How much damage do knife attacks deal?
A stabbing attack to any part of the body except the back removes 55 HP from a player with armor and 65 without it. A backstab is lethal regardless. A slashing attack to the back takes away 90 HP with no armor and 76 with it, while the first hit takes away 34 HP, and subsequent hits take away 21 HP in all other cases.
All knives in the game deal the same damage, with no differences from CS:GO. However, in previous versions of the game, the damage was significantly different. In CS: Source, a stabbing attack only removed 15 HP, while in CS 1.6, a headshot dealt 60 HP.
Where do knife rounds occur?
They occur in most tournaments, even at the amateur level. Every match on Faceit also starts with a knife round, with the winner earning the right to choose the preferred side. On some maps, such as Nuke, this is crucial.
Valve has never added them to matchmaking or premier mode. Nevertheless, knife duels can still occur even in these modes, for example, when both players run out of ammo. Or you can quickly knife an opponent while they are reloading.
The knife duel strategy in CS 2 hasn't changed from CS:GO. So if you were already skilled in knife fights in the old game, there's no need to retrain.