The day we’ve all been waiting for is here, as Valve finally implements the left hand viewmodel, and a way to swap back and forth, into CS2.

One issue Counter-Strike 2 players had at launch was the lack of console commands compared to CS:GO, including the ability to switch the viewmodel's handedness. Well, the April 25 release notes for CS2 inform that Valve has added a left hand viewmodel option to the game.

Here's how to use it, set a bind to switch back and forth, and the full release notes for the day.

How to switch CS2 viewmodel to left hand

Screenshot via esports.gg
Screenshot via esports.gg

The release notes for CS2 that went live on April 25 indicate a new setting labelled Preferred Viewmodel Left/Right Handedness.

We've got you covered on how to find that setting and make the switch to a left hand viewmodel:

  1. Open Counter-Strike 2
  2. Go to the game's Settings
  3. Select the Game submenu
  4. Navigate to the Item section
  5. Find the Preferred Viewmodel Left/Right Handedness option
  6. Select either Right or Left for your CS2 viewmodel

How to set a bind to switch viewmodel hand in CS2

Screenshot via esports.gg
Screenshot via esports.gg

Selecting a preferred handedness isn't the only new feature with the latest CS2 patch. You can set a keybind to swap between a left and right view throughout a match, making it easier to peek around corners.

Here's where to set that keybind:

  1. Open Counter-Strike 2
  2. Go to the game's Settings
  3. Select the Keyboard/Mouse submenu
  4. Navigate to the Weapon Keys section
  5. Find the Switch Viewmodel Left/Right Hand option
  6. Enter the keybind you'd like to use
    • Default keybind is H

Release notes for 4/25/2024

From the viewmodel, to hud and buy menu tweaks, and some weapon finish changes, we've got all fo the April 25 release notes for CS2.

Viewmodel

  • Adjusted viewmodel bob movement
  • Added "Preferred Viewmodel Left/Right Handedness" setting
  • Added "Switch Viewmodel Left/Right Hand" key binding (default: US keyboard letter H) to switch hands temporarily during gameplay
  • Viewmodel position setting and left/right hand state are now networked and visible to first-person spectators.
  • Deprecated "Couch" viewmodel position setting

HUD

  • Added "Radar Map Alternate Zoom" setting and "Toggle Radar Zoom" key binding to toggle between zoom levels during gameplay
  • Added a radar icon for the local player when free cam spectating
  • Added a grenade line-up reticle that appears shortly after pulling the pin. The timing can be configured for each grenade type independently
  • Changed weapon Swap text (when pointing at a dropped weapon) to always show the gameplay name of the weapon instead of any customized name it might have.
  • Added a kill feed icon for "in-air" kills
  • Added the scoreboard to the ESC menu
  • Added an icon to indicate bots on the scoreboard

Buy Menu

  • Added a "Dropped Weapons" panel, which shows (and allows the direct pickup of) weapons that have been dropped by teammates that are standing in the buy zone
  • Added the minimum amount of money that a player is guaranteed to have in the next round to the buy menu title bar. (thanks, Kadomos)

Gameplay

  • Increased Zeus movement speed and adjusted the attack cone
  • Increased Zeus kill reward from $0 to $100 ($50 in Casual)
  • Increased CZ75-Auto kill reward from $100 to $300 ($150 in Casual)
  • Reduced XM1014 kill reward from $900 to $600 ($300 in Casual)

Inventory

  • Lighting adjustments in Inspect background maps
  • Added Wear Category to the info tooltip in the Inspect screen
  • Added gameplay name in panels that used to only show customized name. E.g., Inspect screen, inventory tile

Maps

  • Replaced Overpass with Dust 2 in the Active Duty Group, current competition map pool, and Premier matchmaking
  • Baggage
    • Opened roll-up doors at spawns
    • Updated models for some conveyors
    • Solidified stairs
    • Various bug fixes
  • Inferno
    • Removed overhanging building at top mid
    • Removed overhangs at bottom of banana
    • Various map tweaks to improve player collision and readability
  • Overpass, Nuke, Vertigo, Mirage and Office
    • Bug and exploit fixes
    • Collision and line of sight adjustments
    • Minor performance improvements

Weapon finishes

  • AK-47 | Inheritance: Texture and mask adjustments
  • USP-S | Jawbreaker: Corrected ambient occlusion texture

Miscellaneous

  • Decoupled demo playback camera movement from playback speed. This allows moving the camera even if playback is paused
  • Added ability to launch practice matches and workshop maps with party members
  • Added Overwatch system to enable match demo review by trusted partners
  • Copenhagen 2024 Major sticker capsules are on sale now -75% off
  • Added ability to adjust brightness in windowed modes

Stay tuned to esports.gg for more esports news and Counter-Strike 2 coverage.