Valve’s latest Counter-Strike 2 update lands with a mix of new cosmetic content, gameplay refinements, and spectator improvements, alongside a shuffle of the map pool. There’s also a hefty batch of technical upgrades to map scripting for creators, but most players will be drawn to the more visible changes.
Fresh Additions to the Armory
Cosmetics once again take center stage. Players now have access to two new charm collections: the Missing Link set, created by talented community artists, and the Dr. Boom set, which brings a more playful flavor. Stickers also see a strong refresh with the release of the 2025 Community Stickers collection, boasting 29 designs crafted by the community, as well as a follow-up to the popular Sugarface line with nine new themed designs. To balance these additions, Valve has cycled out the Gallery Case, Graphic Collection, and Character Craft stickers.
Gameplay Adjustments
Several subtle but impactful tweaks shape the gameplay experience. Deaths caused by C4 explosions now correctly show up on the scoreboard, a small but long-requested fix. The Zeus-x27’s power in Deathmatch has been toned down with limits placed on streak bonuses, preventing abuse. Sniper rifles benefit from sharper mechanics with the correction of pixel offset issues and the introduction of inaccuracy representation inside scopes. Even charms have become livelier, now giving a slight jolt when a player makes an audible footstep.
A Better Spectator Experience
Spectating has also received attention in this patch. Camera transitions now move smoothly along the shortest path when switching between players, making broadcasts and replays feel less disorienting. The in-game loadout view has been upgraded to display glove wear and pattern details, and it will close automatically when a match ends to keep things clean and organized.
Map Pool Shake-Up
As is tradition with CS2 updates, maps have been rotated. Jura, Grail, Dogtown, and Brewery have been removed from all game modes, while Palacio and Golden step into the Competitive, Casual, and Deathmatch playlists. Wingman players can look forward to two new battlegrounds, Rooftop and Transit. On top of that, Ancient and Shoots have received various clipping fixes for smoother navigation.
Miscellaneous Fixes and Tools
Beyond the bigger headlines, the patch includes smaller quality-of-life improvements. The MAC-10 and R8 Revolver have seen adjustments to skinning, a crash tied to missing bullet impact effects has been resolved, and the Hammer Workshop Tools gain new deformers such as lattice and simple bend, giving creators even more freedom to experiment.
Map Scripting Upgrades
While less visible to everyday players, map scripting has undergone a significant overhaul. Improved error handling, new callbacks for actions like player jumps, grenade bounces, and weapon reloads, and expanded entity controls all give modders and custom map creators far greater flexibility. These behind-the-scenes changes may not make headlines, but they lay the groundwork for more complex and creative community content.
