Desert Eagle

Weapon deagle
Desert Eagle
Alternate name(s) Night Hawk .50C
Game(s) Cs t Cscz t Csczds t Css t Game icon 730
Price $650
$700 Game icon 730
Magazine cost $40
Origin Israel flag Israel
Caliber .50 caliber
Magazine capacity 7 / 35
Firing mode(s) Semi-automatic
Rate of fire 200
267 Game icon 730
Weight (loaded) 1.8 kilograms
Projectile weight 19.4 grams
Muzzle velocity 1380 ft/s
Muzzle energy 1650 Joules
Used by Counter-Terrorist
Terrorist
Reload time 2.2 seconds
Movement speed
(units per second)		 250
230 Game icon 730
Kill Award $300 (Competitive)
$150 (Casual)
Damage 47 Cs t Cscz t
50 Css t
63 Game icon 730
Recoil Control 3 / 26 (12%)
Accurate Range 25 m Game icon 730
Armor Penetration 93.2%
Penetration Power 200
Hotkey B-1-4
B-1-5 Game icon 730
Entity weapon_deagle

 

“As expensive as it is powerful, the Desert Eagle is an iconic pistol that is difficult to master but surprisingly accurate at long range.”
―Official description

The Desert Eagle, or Night Hawk .50C, as it was previously known, is one of the pistols featured in the Counter-Strike series. It can be replaced with the R8 Revolver in Global Offensive.

Overview

The Desert Eagle, commonly nicknamed “Deagle” or “Hand Cannon”, is a powerful semi-automatic pistol for highly skilled players. It is available to both teams. It is loaded with 7 rounds of .50 Action Express which makes it able to inflict high amounts of damage.

The Desert Eagle is usually one of the most popular and widely used sidearms in the Counter-Strike games. Currently, in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, it costs $700 as opposed to $650 for the previous versions.

Until Global Offensive, this pistol was the only one capable of killing an opponent with one headshot, regardless if he is equipped with a helmet or not.

The Desert Eagle is the only weapon in the pistol class with high penetration, making it possible to score double kills in one shot if opponents are lined up.

The movement speed of this weapon is 250 units per second, meaning users will not suffer any speed reduction. However, in Global Offensive, it has a movement speed of 230 units per second, which is a moderate speed reduction. As such, the Desert Eagle has the second slowest movement speed of all pistols, with a faster movement speed over the R8 Revolver.

Properties

CS 1.6 and CS:CZ
Hitbox Primary Attack
Unarmored Armored
Head 212 156
Chest & Arm 53 39
Stomach 66 49
Leg 39 39
Red signifies a fatal hit.
CS:S
Hitbox Primary Attack
Unarmored Armored
Head 214 162
Chest & Arm 53 40
Stomach 66 50
Leg 40 40
Red signifies a fatal hit.
CS:GO
Hitbox Primary Attack
Unarmored Armored
Head 249 232
Chest & Arm 62 58
Stomach 77 72
Leg 46 46
Red signifies a fatal hit.

While wielded, the player’s movement speed is 250 units per second, meaning they suffer no speed reduction. However, in CS:GO the player’s movement speed is reduced to 230 units per second. The Desert Eagle is one of the many weapons able to shoot underwater.

Advantages

  • High damage pistol
  • High penetration
  • High accuracy at long range (compared to its counterparts) in CS:GO
  • High DPS (damage per second) due to its instant kill from a headshot even if a helmet is worn by the target

Disadvantages

  • Small magazine size compared to other pistols
  • The Desert Eagle has a loud firing sound, and players could easily avoid shots from it, because they can hear the sound from far away.
  • Low rate of fire
  • High spread and recoil
  • The second heaviest pistol in Global Offensive (beaten by R8 Revolver)
  • The most expensive pistol in Global Offensive.
  • Damage noticeably drops off at long range

Gameplay

Tactics

  • As the most expensive pistol next to the R8 Revolver at $700, it is not recommended for use during pistol rounds if a defuse kit or Kevlar have to be purchased. However, the powerful shots can be deadly to enemies who opted for weapons over Kevlar, and the one hit headshot can be advantageous for players with high accuracy.
  • At long range, crouch and fire 1 shot at a time, and wait a moment in between shots to reset the accuracy. Retreat if enemy players are using sniper rifles or assault rifles.
    • If possible, try to engage snipers at close range as the Desert Eagle has high recoil which is a strong deterrent at longer ranges.
  • This pistol may be a good choice for users with very good aim, as a headshot grants an instant kill, even if the target is wearing a helmet and he is at full health.
  • This weapon has a good effective range, especially in games prior to Source, so it may be an ideal sidearm for players equipped with shotguns or low-damage SMGs.
  • The Desert Eagle is a good backup for snipers due to its high damage. Use the sniper rifle for long range engagements and switch to this weapon if an enemy gets too close.
  • This pistol is often used to “wall-bang” surfaces unlike most of the other handguns. Before Source, this is the only pistol that can penetrate through walls, whereas other pistols do not; so try to wall-bang in order to kill an enemy player that is hiding. This information is false in Global Offensive where only the shotguns and the HE cannot deal damage through walls.
  • Its ability to score one shot kill makes it a good weapon for players equipped with Tactical shields, the shield user is more likely to survive enemies that have a primary weapon as he will only need to expose himself for only a brief period.
  • Unless when at close proximity, avoid spraying bullets. The Desert Eagle has a low magazine size and lacks accuracy when firing several rounds consecutively except in Source.
    • Be sure to reload often due to the small magazine size.
  • In Global Offensive, the damage per bullet has increased. However, the spread has increased as well thus making the Desert Eagle less effective for spraying bullets at longer ranges and forces the user to shoot the gun at a slower rate than in previous games.
  • When using this weapon, always go for headshots as much as possible. One shot to the head is already enough for the opponent to get killed, as these are called “Juan Deags”. This weapon can also be used to kill an opponent with 2-3 body shots. If you miss the headshot but you hit the body, go finish them off with another shot or two to the body.

Countertactics

  • To counter the slower firing rate and small magazine size, use fully automatic weapons at close range.
  • Rifles can be used to kill its user at long range.
  • Take advantage of the Desert Eagle’s low magazine size and go on the offense when the user is forced to reload.
  • Strike the user with two or more teammates but don’t bunch up. Users with the Desert Eagle can easily kill targets in enclosed areas provided with the right circumstances, also the Desert Eagle is capable of scoring two collateral kills in early games.
  • At close to mid range:
    • The P250, Five-SeveN, and Tec-9 can easily outperform a Desert Eagle user, since these guns all have moderate damage and rate of fire. Remember to aim for the head because there is a good chance that the opponents are trying to do the same.
    • Submachine guns and shotguns are excellent to counter users. Using pump shotguns or low-damage SMGs might be a risky choice.
    • Avoid enemies with this pistol when your health is less than 50 HP as a close-range hit to the chest or stomach (in addition to a headshot) can score a kill.

References

Counter Strike Wiki

Achievements

    • Counter-Strike: Source
    • Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Weapon
Night Hawk .50c Expert css Night Hawk .50c Expert
Kill 200 enemies with the Night Hawk .50c