The AWP is a powerful bolt-action sniper rifle available to both teams. It is infamously renowned for being able to one-shot kill enemies anywhere but the legs, regardless of armor, making the AWP a solid weapon for wallbanging. The AWP also has extreme accuracy when scoped, particularly when crouched as it has the 3rd highest accuracy in the game. The ability to scope along with the extreme accuracy and sheer one-shot power make the AWP devastating at long ranges, particularly in the hands of a skilled shooter.

However, where the AWP excels in accuracy and power, it suffers in overall handling. The AWP slows players down considerably, particularly in Global Offensive, making the AWP unwieldy at closer ranges in the hands of a novice player. The weapon also has terrible accuracy when not using the scope or firing while moving, so scoping in and standing still is a necessity at all times to retain a competitive edge. Additionally, the sound that results from firing is loud and easily recognizable; the moment a shot is fired, the enemy team is aware of an AWP being on the battlefield. Thus, the enemy team will change their tactics in attempts to take down the AWP as top priority by flanking the user or using other tactics to against the user.

In addition, this weapon is bolt-action, which results in a slow rate of fire. A missed shot can leave the user vulnerable while chambering another bullet and allowing enemies to use that opportunity to counter the user or escape. The last downfall is the weapon's lack of economic efficiency—it is expensive and the kill reward is low (in Global Offensive). Therefore, getting killed while holding this weapon may cause huge problems for the user's team as the enemy may take the advantage by taking this weapon and use it on the user's team.

This weapon is generally considered a "high risk, high reward" weapon because it is powerful but very slow in terms of rate of fire, reload speed, and movement speed.

The AWP is not available for the Counter-Terrorists to purchase in Assassination maps. They can, however, get one from fallen Terrorists.