The CS2 Active Duty Map Pool
For the long-awaited CS2 release, Valve made some change in the active duty map pool by adding a couple of entirely new maps and fixing the old ones. As it stands, there are currently eight active duty maps and three reserve maps:
Train
After a prolonged absence from the game, the Train has finally arrived! A beloved map that some of us played back in the CS 1.6 days is back in its former glory with a few twists. The train depot along with the freight cars now looks nothing like a previous iteration from CS:GO - it has a grittier and more realistic look of a train depot located somewhere in a post-soviet city. Both Popdog and Ivy underwent substancial changes, and it is certain that Train will be hotfixed a couple of times, looking back on a history of Vertigo’s changes. Overall, the map looks great and it is only a matter of time until it comes back to pro play.
Vertigo
Vertigo is a vertical bomb-defusal map, a quite controversial with the pro scene. Many pros have gripes with it due to it being heavily stronger on CT side. The fakes are harder to pull on Vertigo, as the player covering mid will definitely hear the running Ts. Nevertheless, this map is unique in terms of design and the amount of vertical surfaces, making it stand out drastically from the rest. Very fun to play, not so much to spectate.
Ancient
A relatively fresh bomb-defusal map, released back in 2021 and stylistically reminiscing of Aztec with the way it looks.
While Aztec was virtually unplayable due to it being weak sided for the attackers, Ancient was meant to fix those issues, simultaneously bringing back the charm de_aztec had. Being fairly new to some players, it is quite popular in CS2 community and in the pro play. On release, Ancient was a low fps mess with constant stuttering, but right now it is well polished and extremely fun to play.
Anubis
Yet another recent map when compared to the others, Anubis is a bomb defusal map set in Ancient Egypt. Originally, this map served as a Dust II replacement in the competitive map pool in CS:GO, and after a few revisions it was added to CS2 on August 2nd 2023. Despite it having the warmer palette like a few other maps, and the overall aesthetics may seem a bit similar, it is brighter and more detailed than Mirage and Dust. All the decorative elements such as intricate wall carvings and the pond connecting A and B sites bring together the vibe of Ancient Egypt. As for the map design, multiple pathways offer a decent variety of strategies for each side.
Dust II
The name known to the entire world, way beyond the Counter-Strike fanbase. Dust II is an iconic bomb-defusal map set in Morocco. Arguably the most popular map in the CS history, it was originally released alongside the CS 1.6. The map structure is pretty straightforward, with long openings and a lot of space. Having only a few complex positions like Tunnels, Short and Long Doors, this map is a great playground for players of different skill level. Dust is a fantastic map for long-range snipes, so make sure to dust off your best AWP and SSG skins next time you’re on a server. Having been deleted and brought back multiple times, it finally replaces Overpass in the Active Duty Group, current competition map pool and Premier matchmaking.
Mirage
Mirage is another extremely popular bomb-defusal map. Being available since 1.6, it really took off in the CS:GO days, and still remains among the top three playable maps in CS2. The map appears aesthetically similar to Dust II, but has its unique flair, and it is fairly balanced, allowing both attackers and defenders to approach each round with creativity and unpredictable flanks. Many players complain that the map is overused, but some speculate that it will be replaced by either Cobblestone or Train once they are fully reworked and ready for the pro play.
Inferno
Inferno is a staple CS map, one of the most iconic esports maps ever. Even though it’s as old as many current CS players, it still managed to find its way to the active duty map pool. It is pretty two-dimensional, except for Halls and Balcony, which makes it great for some XM1014 action, obliterating enemies on fast pushes in close range. Inferno is known for many iconic pro play moments, such as Happy’s Deagle Ace vs TSM. The map is well-studied, hence why more and more players avoid it and prefer to develop new strats on Ancient and Anubis.
Nuke
Nuke is, without a doubt, one of the more complex multi-layered maps in the game. Having been reworked a couple of times from its original release in 1999, it still remains in the pro play rotation, even though some players can’t stand it. Heavily CT sided, Nuke is favored for the defense players, making it hard for the attackers to have a few successful consecutive rounds. Shotguns and SMGs are great if you’re planning on the B site execution.
CS2 Premier and Competitive Maps
While the Competitive mode allows players to have a more mellow experience, Premier is centered around imitating the pro scene experience. The Premier mode has only seven maps, including Anubis, Ancient, Nuke, Mirage, Dust II, Vertigo and Inferno. You could play on all these maps plus Office, Overpass, Thera and Mills if you prefer the Competitive mode.
New CS2 Maps Added in 2024
In a recent update, Valve introduced two new maps for the Competitive mode:
Mills
Based in the Netherlands, Mills is a brand-new bomb-defusal map, featuring multiple corners and narrow streets. It is pretty big, so we doubt that it will make it to Premier.
Thera
Thera is a rework of Santorini, a fan-favorite map that was deleted from CS:GO ages ago. As the name of the previous map suggests, Thera is based on the picturesque views of Santorini, Greece. It also features lots of corners, narrow streets and it is quite three-dimensional.
Palais
Palais is a gorgeous community map located in the middle of Paris and it will be available in Wingman and Deathmatch. You and your mate thug it out on the picturesque rooftops of the French capital. Be careful around the edges!
Whistle
There’s another railroad-themed map in the latest update, but significantly less brutalist. Whistle is a brand-new Wingman map where you must plant the bomb at a cute train platform. Unlike Train, it is very bright and vibrant.
Basalt
Basalt is a revision of a CS:GO map located somewhere in Iceland. It is extremely beautiful and pleasant to play on. The more advanced lighting system in CS2 makes this map shine with vibrant colors and hues. Basalt is worth playing for the crazy visuals alone.
Edin
Another brand-new bomb defusal map is set in rainy Edinburgh. The new map’s name is pretty self-explanatory, hence the Edin moniker. Your target is either to protect or destroy heritage sites of a beautiful old city.
All Old Counter Strike Global Offensive (CS:GO) Maps
Over the years, there have been lots of maps that didn’t make it:
Dust/Shortdust
Aztec
Seaside
Biome
Breach
Rialto
Train
Cobblestone (both Train and Cobble are to return in the near future)
Workout
Zoo
CS2 Maps and Game Modes
CS2 offers a wide variety of game modes - from sweaty Premier to something way more relaxed like Arms Race. The two main game modes are definitely Premier and Competitive, both providing some sort of competitive environment, with the risk of losing your rank or your place in the ladder. A similar game mode for the duos is the Wingman, where you play 2x2 on the shortened versions of the active duty maps and a few dedicated Wingman maps. Make sure to check out our detailed guide on Wingman.
There is also a Casual mode, where your performance does not affect your rank or your place in the ladder. It is a similar experience to those old school days of playing 1.6 on public servers. There’s also a Deathmatch, where you can practice before jumping in Premier/Competitive. The Deathmatch is a great tool just to run and gun if you don’t want to wait for respawn and just have a non-stop action. And the last but not least, Arms Race is meant for practicing each type of weapon, where the objective is to secure two kills with each consecutive gun before reaching the final stage of having to secure a knife kill first.
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