Counter-Strike 2

Flashbang

Utility, both sides.

Flashbang
Utility · both sides

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Full history

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Since you last played

Changed in 11 updates

11 balance changes across 11 updates, condensed below to what still matters.

0 buffs and 5 nerfs in total: trending weaker.

Biggest balance changes

  • ◆
    Damage Added flashbang assists for players who successfully flash an enemy which then gets killed by another player. Players who threw the flashbang will get an assist callout in the death notice. However if another player inflicted >40 damage to the victim for the assist, the flashbang assist player will not get the callout.adjusted 2 times across 2 updates, roughly even
  • ◆
    Ammo Added convar to support buying two flashbangs (ammo_grenade_limit_flashbang). This is disabled by default.
  • ▼
    Reduced the strength of the flashbang.
  • ◆
    Price Team equipment value now correctly accounts for cost of CZ75-Auto and for two flashbangs.
  • ▼
    Open vents no longer shield players from flashbangs
  • ▼
    Dropped weapons and other grenades no longer prevent flashbangs from blinding players.

Most recent change 13 November 2024

  • ◆
    Accuracy Updated the third-person animation that plays when a player is blinded by a flashbang. The animation now accurately represents the player's visibility level, and the pose will only show the player's arm covering their eyes when they are completely blinded.

Using the Flashbang now

Take two on a full buy, and throw before you peek.

Alternatives

Every Flashbang change, update by update

All 30 lines Valve listed for the Flashbang since Mar 2012, newest first, fixes and visual changes included. Last changed 29 May 2026.

  • ◆
    Added convar r_spectator_flashbang_opacity to control flashbang opacity for remote spectators.
  • ◆
    Flashbang effect for remote spectators now renders underneath the HUD. visual

  • ◆
    Adjusted particle effect sprite opacity for fully occluded flashbangs. visual

  • ◆
    Accuracy Updated the third-person animation that plays when a player is blinded by a flashbang. The animation now accurately represents the player's visibility level, and the pose will only show the player's arm covering their eyes when they are completely blinded.

  • ▼
    Flashbangs and HE grenades no longer prematurely detonate when they exceed their 'stuck bounce' limit

  • ◆
    Fixed a bug where the Refund All button in the Buy Menu would only refund a single flashbang grenade fix

  • ◆
    Fixed a bug where smoke grenades would sometimes appear lit as if a flashbang detonated inside them. fix

  • ◆
    Damage Fixed missing gamestate integration data regarding flashbangs and damage stats fix

  • ◆
    Draw time Flashbangs can be redeployed after thrown so that players can quickly throw multiple in sequence

  • ◆
    Fixed a bug where flashbang or grenade sound effect would remain if player died while having that sound effect active. fix

  • ▼
    Lowered volume of flashbang ringing and volume ducking effect. visual

  • ▼
    Hostages will no longer obscure flashbang traces, allowing players behind them to be blinded.

  • ◆
    Fixed a bug with flashbangs that were infinitely purchasable in Competitive Matchmaking – now all grenade types have buy limits matching their carry limits, and grenades carried over from the previous round count towards the buy limit. fix

  • ◆
    Damage Added flashbang assists for players who successfully flash an enemy which then gets killed by another player. Players who threw the flashbang will get an assist callout in the death notice. However if another player inflicted >40 damage to the victim for the assist, the flashbang assist player will not get the callout.

  • ◆
    Fixed flashbangs not blinding player through chain-link fences. fix

  • ◆
    Fixed an issue that caused players to not drop their 2nd flashbang if they are killed after throwing 1 flashbang during the round. fix

  • ◆
    Fixed an issue that caused players to not drop their 2nd flashbang if they are killed after throwing 1 flashbang during the round. fix

  • ▼
    Dropped weapons and other grenades no longer prevent flashbangs from blinding players.

  • ▼
    Open vents no longer shield players from flashbangs
  • ◆
    Fixed scissor gates blocking flashbangs fix

  • ▲
    Adjusted player flashbang reaction animation so the raised arm matches first-person blindness. visual

  • ◆
    Added player flashbang visual indicators with a progress bar that shows over players heads when you are watching via GOTV. visual

  • ◆
    Price Team equipment value now correctly accounts for cost of CZ75-Auto and for two flashbangs.

  • ◆
    Damage Flashbang blast and HE grenade explosion damage now travels through water volumes (thanks starix)

  • ◆
    Ammo Fixed ammo pickup mechanics not following the same rules are weapon pickups when it came to sounds – now when you pick up any ammo (like a second flashbang), it won’t make a sound when you walk over it and will when you run. fix

  • ▼
    Reduced the strength of the flashbang.
  • ◆
    Flashbangs now make a scorch on the ground to show where it went off.
  • ◆
    Spectators and observers now have a significant reduction in flashbang effect done to them.General Bug Fixes: visual

  • ◆
    Ammo Added convar to support buying two flashbangs (ammo_grenade_limit_flashbang). This is disabled by default.

  • ◆
    Grenade visibility - added self illum to colored stripe on thrown flashbang.