ESL Forbids Keyboard Automation from CS2 LAN Events

On the other hand, while such features are currently allowed in online tournaments, it may not be for long as Valve has also made its stance very clear on the matter as they work towards effective detection. The CS2 official account tweeted shortly after ESL’s announcement: “Recently, some hardware features have blurred the line between manual input and automation, so we've decided to draw a clear line on what is or isn't acceptable in Counter-Strike.“

“If you have a keyboard that includes an input-automation feature (e.g., "Snap Tap Mode"), be sure to disable the feature before you join a match in order to avoid any interruption to your matches,” the account further added, specifically referencing the controversial features.

What’s so controversial about keyboard automation?

Razer’s Snap Tap and Wooting’s SOCD are the most controversial when it comes to keyboard automation. Specifically, Razer’s Snap Tap mode allows for instant directional changes in CS2, eliminating the need to master movement-related skills like counter strafing, arguably doing it even better than some professionals. To achieve this, Snap Tap eliminates delays by registering only the last key pressed, enabling instant movements for faster reactions. Wooting’s SOCD works similarly, with SOCD referring to “Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Direction.”