Nova vs M249
The M249 leads in 8 of 13 stats, giving it an overall advantage over the Nova.
Side-by-Side Stat Comparison
| Stat | Nova | M249 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,050 | $5,200 |
| Kill Reward | $900 | $300 |
| Damage | 26 | 32 |
| Armor Penetration | 50% | 80% |
| Fire Rate (RPM) | 68 | 750 |
| Magazine Size | 8 | 100 |
| Reserve Ammo | 32 | 200 |
| Reload Time | 0.55s | 5.70s |
| Move Speed | 220 u/s | 195 u/s |
| Range Modifier | 0.70 | 0.97 |
| Wall Penetration | 1 | 2 |
| Headshot Multiplier | 4.00x | 4.00x |
| DPS (Raw) | 29 | 400 |
DPS & Time to Kill
DPS is calculated as damage x RPM / 60. TTK assumes consecutive body shots against armored targets.
Nova
29
Raw DPS
M249
400
Raw DPS
Time to Kill (Armored Body Shots)
| Target HP | Nova Shots | Nova TTK | M249 Shots | M249 TTK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 HP | 8 | 6176ms | 4 | 240ms |
| 125 HP | 10 | 7941ms | 5 | 320ms |
| 150 HP | 12 | 9706ms | 6 | 400ms |
Key Differences
The Nova is $4,150 cheaper than the M249, making it a better budget option.
The M249 deals 6 more base damage per shot.
The M249 has a higher fire rate at 750 RPM vs 68 RPM.
The M249 delivers more raw DPS (400 vs 29), meaning faster kills on paper.
The M249 has a larger magazine (100 rounds vs 8), giving more sustained fire before reloading.
Players move faster with the Nova (220 u/s vs 195 u/s).
The M249 has higher armor penetration (80% vs 50%), making it stronger against armored opponents.
When to Use Each Weapon
Nova
- Choose the Nova on eco or semi-buy rounds when your team has limited funds.
- Use the Nova for aggressive play or rotations — its higher move speed lets you reposition quickly.
- If the round looks favorable, the Nova's higher kill reward helps build economy faster.
M249
- Buy the M249 on full-buy rounds when economy allows, since it costs more.
- The M249 excels at holding long angles where each shot counts due to its higher per-bullet damage.
- The M249's faster fire rate makes it effective in close-range duels and spray-downs.
- The M249's larger magazine is ideal for holding rushes or clearing multiple enemies without reloading.
- The M249 is the better pick against fully-armored opponents due to its superior armor penetration.
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Nova better than the M249 in CS2?
It depends on the situation. The Nova has a lower price point, while the M249 fires faster. The M249 leads in 8 of 13 stats, giving it an overall advantage over the Nova.
When should I buy the Nova over the M249?
Buy the Nova when your economy is tight — it saves you $4150. Consider the M249 when the round calls for faster fire rate.
Which has more DPS: Nova or M249?
The M249 has higher raw DPS. M249: 400 DPS vs Nova: 29 DPS. Keep in mind raw DPS doesn't account for accuracy or recoil.
What is the TTK for Nova vs M249?
Against a 100 HP armored target, the Nova needs 8 shots (6176ms) while the M249 needs 4 shots (240ms). Real TTK varies with accuracy, headshots, and distance.
Related:Nova StatsM249 StatsAll HeavyWeapon Compare ToolDamage CalculatorRecoil PatternsEconomy CalculatorWeapons DatabaseAll Tools