The riot shield is back in CSGO, here's how to buy and use it
Fans of hostage game mode have a new tool at their disposal with the riot shield making its way out of Danger Zone.
As part of Operation Riptide, the riot shield is now available for purchase in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. It is only available in casual hostage mode and is still not available in competitive matches even though the weapon still appears normally in the heavy weapon buy menu in other modes. The change came with several unlisted buffs that improve the durability of the riot shield relative to what fans have seen from it before.
CSGO’s riot shield has been available for some time now in Danger Zone, where it functions as a defensive tool to keep players on the move. Its main purpose is to absorb enemy fire while equipped, but it can also absorb bullets when stowed away on the back. The shield can also be used as a melee weapon, which usually kills in three hits. All of these traits also apply to the new casual shield.
Casual riot shield buffed outside Danger Zone
In Danger Zone, the riot shield costs $500 and can only withstand a few bullets before breaking apart. The new casual hostage shield costs $1100 but has had its durability boosted to compensate. The casual CSGO shield also gained a grill in front of the peephole. The original Danger Zone shield has a blank hole that enemies can shoot through.
The armor absorption of the shield also appears to have been improved. The shield now takes about 40% less damage from pistols and 15% less damage from rifles, depending on the distance. Armor-piercing weapons like the AWP appear unchanged. That damage count includes blocked shots while the shield is unequipped.
Fans of Counter-Strikes past don’t have to worry about the OP riot shields of the past, though. Players don’t need to worry about players firing a pistol while blocking bullets.
How to buy the riot shield in CSGO
The riot shield can be bought from the heavy weapons buy menu, alongside shotguns and heavy machine guns, but only in casual hostage mode.
Casual hostage is a 10-on-10 game mode where the objective is to rescue captives held in the T spawn. The riot shield is only available to the CTs in this game mode for $1,100 and it takes the primary weapon slot. The casual hostage map pool includes Militia, Office, Italy, and Assault. It can also be played on two Operation Riptide maps, Insertion II and Agency. The casual mode unfortunately doesn’t contribute to
this week’s Riptide missions, but getting to try out the CSGO riot shield is plenty of incentive to play.
Read Also
Esports Betting
Here’s the complete Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 schedule
Hannan Mundia
The Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 has finally arrived, and here’s the complete schedule for the event to ensure you don’t miss anything. While it isn’t exactly the newest name in the esports scene, the EWC has quickly become a leading event for esports fans worldwide. It brings together professional players and fans from various games, combining them into one long event that everyone can enjoy. 2026’s Esports World Cup ...
Counter-Strike
XSE Pro League 2026 in China: Teams, format and prize pool
Owen Harsono
Counter-Strike is back after the IEM Cologne Major, as the XSE Pro League 2026 is the first notable event since then. 16 teams book flights to China to compete in the million-dollar event. Here’s everything you need to know about the XSE Pro League 2026 event. Top-tier Counter-Strike returns to the passionate grounds of China, as the event will take place in the city of Guangzhou. Teams will play in ...
Esports Betting
Will Valve add Cache in the CS2 Premier Season 5 Active Duty map pool?
Wasif Ahmed
Following the highly anticipated return of Cache to Counter-Strike 2 earlier this season, the competitive community has almost started believing that the legendary industrial map would soon make its way into the Active Duty map pool for Premier Season 5. This expectation followed a pattern set by Train, which Valve brought back late last year before quickly pushing it into the main professional tournament rotation. However, in a recent Twitter ...
Counter-Strike
IEM Cologne Grand Final: Team Falcons vs FURIA best betting predictions
Owen Harsono
Coming into the IEM Cologne Major, nobody would have expected a grand final series between Team Falcons and FURIA, but here we are. Will NiKo finally win his first Major, or will FalleN win another one before retiring at the end of the year? Here are our IEM Cologne Major Grand Final predictions. Tournament: IEM Cologne Major 2026 Stage: Grand Final Game: Counter-Strike 2 Format: Best-of-five Betting tip: Team Falcons ...
Counter-Strike
Team Spirit vs Team Falcons IEM Cologne Major: betting predictions and picks
Owen Harsono
We’re in for a treat, as Team Spirit will take on Team Falcons for a spot in the IEM Cologne Major grand final. Will NiKo finally get another shot at winning a Major, or will donk and company prevent him from accomplishing his lifelong goal? Here are our IEM Cologne Major Team Spirit vs Team Falcons predictions. Tournament: IEM Cologne Major 2026 Stage: Semi-Final Game: Counter-Strike 2 Format: Best-of-three Betting ...
Counter-Strike
Vitality vs Falcons betting predictions and best picks: IEM Cologne Major 2026
Owen Harsono
We’re treated to a possible grand final matchup here in the quarterfinal of the IEM Cologne Major, with Team Vitality taking on Team Falcons in an elimination match. These are two of the highest-profile teams in the game right now, but only one of them can continue their chase for the trophy. Here are our IEM Cologne Major Team Vitality vs Team Falcons predictions. Tournament: IEM Cologne Major 2026 Stage: ...
Counter-Strike
IEM Cologne Major 2026 playoffs preview: matchups & predictions
Owen Harsono
The top eight teams at the IEM Cologne 2026 Major are set. Most of the favorites easily secured their spots, but we also have promising underdogs sneaking into the bracket. To keep you up to speed, here’s everything you need to know about the IEM Cologne Major playoffs. We started with 32 teams and are now only down to eight. After a grueling Stage 3, teams have been seeded into ...
