What are null binds and why did FACEIT ban then unban them?

FACEIT continues to change its rules and regulations to ensure players have a fair and enjoyable experience. However, while some decisions are seen as favorable, others are met with criticism from fans, such as the one to ban and then subsequently unban nill bunds in FACEIT.

Today, we’re here to go through everything you need to know about null binds in FACEIT. This includes what they are, why FACEIT banned them, and whether they’re still banned. We’ll also add some context regarding null binds to ensure you know why they’re so controversial and why the fanbase is divided when it comes to them.

So, without further ado, here’s everything to know about null binds. 

What are null binds

It’s important to know what null binds are to understand why companies like FACEIT would ban them. Null binds are special binds that players can create using console commands that allow them to disable inputting multiple keys simultaneously in the game. Although this may seem like a downgrade, it’s helpful when used in the A and D keys since users use those two keys to strafe and counter-strafe.

Through null binds, players can hold A and D simultaneously and move in a direction instead of stopping in one place, which helps to move and strafe against opponents. 

Some context regarding null binds

Null binds have been controversial for years among various types of CS players. Those who play movement game modes like KZ and Surf have been discussing these binds for a long time because those who use them have an unfair advantage against those who don’t use them. Players using them can perfectly air strafe, letting them navigate in the air quickly and gain speed, which are two essential metrics needed to win in those game modes.

In the normal 5v5 competitive game mode in Counter-Strike, null binds allow players to counter-strafe with pixel precision. When up against opponents, they can spam A and D to accurately hit shots while avoiding enemy fire or use a key to peek and the other key to go back into cover immediately. Due to this, they’ve been banned from most Counter-Strike 2 competitions.

Why did FACEIT ban null binds?

While null binds have been around for a long time, FACEIT decided to ban them because of their sudden popularity. Ever since Razer unveiled Snap Tap, players have been looking for alternatives, which led them to discover null binds. Null binding is technically cheating because it changes in-game files for an advantage, whereas Snap Tap is an external purchase that doesn’t require file manipulation.

For the uninitiated, Snap Tap is a feature in modern Razer keyboards that allows them to do the same thing as null binds but on a driver level, leading to an online discussion regarding whether it should be legal in competitive games.

FACEIT and other competitive platforms for CS2, like ESEA, have also banned the usage of null binds. It’s worth noting that official matchmaking doesn’t prohibit the usage of these binds, but there’s a chance that Valve may not allow it after FACEIT and ESEA’s decisions.

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Are null binds still banned in FACEIT?

FACEIT has clarified the null bind issue in a new blog post when they state players can use null binds in regular FACEIT games again, even if they can be severely punished for doing the same in the ESEA league.

“We’ve been closely monitoring the discussion around snap tap/SOCD and will be allowing players to use these features on FACEIT. We understand the controversy surrounding these features is fierce, and have not taken these decisions lightly,” said FACEIT.

It’s odd that the FACEIT higher-ups chose to ban null binds and then took their word back before the rules could even get implemented properly. The CS2 fanbase has been torn over this weird issue, especially since null binds are accepted by some but hated by others.