
Though still popular, the USP has been improved upon since with HK's more recent P30 and HK45 models. The USP has the distinction of being one of only a few weapons to appear every single Rainbow Six title to date, alongside the Beretta 92FS, MP5, and a Benelli M-series shotgun. A promotional picture from Heckler and Koch featuring the then-new USP (actually the same used in this guide's thumbnail) was featured on the box art for the very first Rainbow Six game. This holds true regardless of whether you use the P99, USP40, MK23, or 92FS. On normal difficulty, two shots to the torso will down an opponent usually three if you hit the arm or leg. If you need to use a pistol at medium or long range, I would recommend using a laser and shooting from the hip (believe it or not). Pistol sights are fixed and work best at close range. A solid early game pick, the USP offers a balance of size and power. The Heckler and Koch USP, or Universal Self-Loading Pistol, was originally built around the then-emerging. The latest incarnation of the P99 design is the Walther PPQ, which improves ergonomics and offers a shorter, more crisp trigger pull.

Keep your choice of pistol in mind if you plan on rappelling, as this will be your only offensive option. When on a rope, you will automatically switch to your pistol. Pistols in Rainbow Six Vegas 2 offer unlimited magazines, so if you need to conserve ammo, switch to your pistol for your less risky engagements. Despite its lower damage stat, it takes the same amount of shots on normal difficulty to down an opponent in close range as the MK23, USP40, and 92FS.

One of James Bond's signature weapons appears in Rainbow Six Vegas 2 as your first pistol available.
