More SMGs

Steyr TMP

TMP buy screen

TMP in action

Availability: Counter-terrorists only
Cost: $1250
Rounds per clip: 30
Rate of fire: 14 rps
Reload time: 2.15 Seconds
Avg. damage to unarmored chest: 20 health
Avg. damage to unarmored head: 78 health
Avg. damage to armored chest: 10 health, 5 armor
Avg. damage to armored head: 39 health, 19 armor

TMP spread

Following the most popular SMG comes one of the least popular. Although the TMP fires rapidly, it is the weakest gun in its class. For such a small gun, the TMP has a greater than expected firing recoil, making long range shooting nearly impossible. If not for its bad accuracy, the TMP would probably have been worth buying since it is the least expensive SMG. The silencer is the only saving grace for the TMP. It is the quietest gun in the game, the silenced USP, M4A1 and company included.

The only real strategy with this gun is to hide behind boxes where an enemy is sure to pass by. Go full auto (no burst fire) at his back and you'll end up killing him before he even realizes where the shots are coming from. This sort of tactic will definitely not work round after round. A moderately smart team will start checking behind the boxes.

FN P90

P90 buy screen

P90 ownage

Availability: Terrorists and Counter-terrorists
Cost: $2350
Rounds per clip: 50
Rate of fire: 14 rps
Reload time: 3.5 Seconds
Avg. damage to unarmored chest: 20 health
Avg. damage to unarmored head: 85 health
Avg. damage to armored chest: 18 health, 3 armor
Avg. damage to armored head: 60 health, 10 armor

3 fools Romerofied

P90 spread

There was a time when the P90 was the ultimate weapon in Counter-Strike. Four betas and one release later the gun isn't quite the same, and, consequently, it isn't used as much as it should be.

As the damage numbers indicate, any sort of armor is almost useless against the P90's 5.7 x 28mm high velocity ammo. In the real world these rounds can penetrate 48 layers of Kevlar. In Counter-Strike, they won't even go through a thin wooden door. Even still, the P90 shines brighter than any other SMG in most situations. Against unarmored enemies, the P90 isn't as powerful as other SMGs, but it is clearly the strongest against armored enemies.

As the bullet-spread screenshot shows, the P90 can get quite erratic in terms of accuracy when firing without bursts. This makes it most useful at very close range. Accuracy degrades very quickly the farther away you are from your target. The 50 round clip and extremely fast rate of fire put the P90 right up there with the automatic rifles in terms of how quickly groups of enemies can be killed.

The second in-game action shot shows this characteristic quite nicely. No matter how many enemies there are, if they are all close range, then you should never let go of the fire button. Just make sure to compensate for the recoil by aiming at their knees after the first six or so shots have been fired. The P90 provides a nice middle ground in price between the average SMG and the more powerful rifles for close range combat.