Counter-Strike 1.6 is the classic team-based tactical FPS built on Valve's GoldSrc engine. Rounds are short, economy matters, and every decision — from the first pistol buy to the final seconds of a bomb round — can change the result.
In CS 1.6, two teams compete in objective-based rounds. Players choose a Terrorist or Counter-Terrorist model, buy weapons and equipment, then work with teammates to complete the map objective. Unlike a traditional deathmatch, staying alive, trading kills and controlling space are usually more important than chasing individual eliminations.
For a clean starting point, use the Download CS 1.6 page and then follow the installation guide.
Terrorists try to plant the C4 at one of the marked bomb sites and protect it until it explodes. Counter-Terrorists can stop the plant, eliminate the Terrorists, or defuse a planted bomb. A successful defuse ends the round immediately.
Counter-Terrorists must rescue the hostages and bring them to the rescue zone. Terrorists defend the hostages and try to prevent the rescue.
One Counter-Terrorist becomes the VIP. The CT team must escort the VIP to the rescue zone while Terrorists try to eliminate the VIP.
A round begins with a buy period, followed by movement, utility use and fights around the map. Players who die normally wait until the next round. Money is awarded for round results and individual actions, so a lost round can affect the next buy.
Weapon prices are part of the game's economy. Damage is affected by hit location, range, armor and weapon-specific mechanics, so a table value should be treated as a base/reference number rather than a guaranteed final hit value.
| Weapon | Price | Base damage* | Team | Magazine | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pistols | |||||
| Glock-18 | $400 | 25 | Terrorists | 20 | 18-round pistol; selectable burst mode |
| USP Tactical | $500 | 34 | Counter-Terrorists | 12 | Accurate CT starting pistol |
| P228 | $600 | 32 | Both | 13 | Compact pistol |
| Desert Eagle | $650 | 54 | Both | 7 | High-damage .50 AE pistol |
| Five-Seven | $750 | 20 | Counter-Terrorists | 20 | High-capacity CT pistol |
| Dual Berettas | $800 | 25 | Terrorists | 30 | Two pistols; large combined magazine |
| SMGs | |||||
| MAC-10 | $1,400 | 29 | Terrorists | 30 | Fast-firing, strong at close range |
| TMP | $1,250 | 26 | Counter-Terrorists | 30 | Suppressed compact SMG |
| MP5 Navy | $1,500 | 26 | Both | 30 | Balanced, accurate SMG |
| UMP-45 | $1,700 | 30 | Both | 25 | Slower but harder-hitting SMG |
| P90 | $2,350 | 21 | Both | 50 | Large magazine and high fire rate |
| Shotguns | |||||
| M3 Super 90 | $1,700 | 26×9* | Both | 8 | Pump-action shotgun |
| XM1014 | $3,000 | 20×6* | Both | 7 | Semi-automatic shotgun |
| Rifles | |||||
| Galil | $2,000 | 30 | Terrorists | 35 | Budget assault rifle |
| FAMAS | $2,250 | 30 | Counter-Terrorists | 25 | Burst-capable CT rifle |
| AK-47 | $2,500 | 36 | Terrorists | 30 | High damage; strong headshots |
| M4A1 | $3,100 | 33 | Counter-Terrorists | 30 | Accurate CT rifle; optional silencer |
| SG-552 | $3,500 | 30 | Terrorists | 30 | Scoped Terrorist rifle |
| AUG | $3,500 | 32 | Counter-Terrorists | 30 | Scoped Counter-Terrorist rifle |
| Sniper rifles | |||||
| Scout | $2,750 | 75 | Both | 10 | Light bolt-action sniper |
| AWP | $4,750 | 115 | Both | 10 | Powerful bolt-action sniper |
| G3SG1 | $5,000 | 80 | Terrorists | 20 | Automatic sniper rifle |
| SG-550 | $4,200 | 70 | Counter-Terrorists | 30 | Automatic CT sniper rifle |
| Machine gun | |||||
| M249 | $5,750 | 32 | Both | 100 | Large-capacity machine gun |
*Damage figures are simplified reference values. Actual damage changes with hitgroup, range modifiers, armor and the weapon's rules. Prices can also vary by game mode/server configuration.
| Equipment | Price | Effect | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kevlar | $650 | Body armor | Both |
| Kevlar + Helmet | $1,000 | Body armor plus head protection | Both |
| Flashbang | $200 | Blinds/disorients players | Both |
| HE Grenade | $300 | Explosive grenade | Both |
| Smoke Grenade | $300 | Creates a smoke screen | Both |
| Defuse Kit | $200 | Reduces CT bomb-defuse time | Counter-Terrorists |
| Nightvision Goggles | $1,250 | Improves visibility in dark areas | Both |
Kevlar and Helmet improve survivability, while grenades create openings, block sightlines or force opponents away from positions. CT players can buy a Defuse Kit to shorten bomb-defuse time.
The classic CS 1.6 team selection screen offers four visual player models per side. These are character/model choices, not RPG classes: they do not give different weapon stats or abilities.
Urban tactical gear; commonly associated with the dark/urban CT look.
German counter-terror unit styling with tactical gear and helmet.
British special-forces styling and dark tactical clothing.
French intervention-unit styling with a distinct helmet and tactical kit.
Dark urban/terrorist styling associated with the Phoenix faction.
The Leet/Elite model with casual Middle-Eastern-inspired clothing.
Cold-weather appearance with masks and winter-oriented clothing.
Camouflage-oriented guerilla appearance.
Learn one or two maps first. Knowing common angles, bomb sites, choke points and rotations is more useful than memorizing every map at once.
Use short controlled bursts at medium and long range. Running while shooting makes many weapons less accurate.
Listen. Footsteps, reloads, weapon sounds and grenade cues can reveal a player's position before you see them.
Manage your money. A full rifle + armor buy is not always correct; sometimes saving for the next round gives your team a stronger economy.
Ready to play? Use the main CS 1.6 download page, then check the installation and Windows guides if you need help getting the classic game running on a modern PC.