After much hype, Counter-Strike 2 is finally out for select players to enjoy, and with its official reveal comes newly updated maps. We have listed the confirmed maps already available in the new version, along with a look at other legacy maps from CS:GO which were not included.
The hype has been real for Counter-Strike 2 in recent weeks, and finally, the community’s wishes have been granted as Valve has officially announced the new version of CS:GO.
Counter-Strike 2 brings massive changes to the fundamental gameplay of CS:GO. Namely the physics of the smoke, server tick rates, and of course map upgrades.
This new game, therefore, brings massive changes to Counter-Strike’s legacy maps, with varying levels of updates for each. In Valve’s announcement video for Counter-Strike 2, they grouped the new maps into three categories: Touchstone, Upgrades, and Overhauls.
Touchstones are legacy maps that have not only been in Counter-Strike for the longest but also maps that are relatively unchanged in Counter-Strike 2. The changes these received in the new version are minimal with mostly just visual upgrades and lighting improvements.
Upgrades are maps from CS:GO that received major updates to lighting and textures, utilizing Source 2’s improved graphics as much as possible.
Overhauls are essentially complete rebuilds of CS’s oldest maps, be it from CS:GO or even older. These maps feature new textures, lighting, structures, and possibly updates for how the map plays.
Here is the full list of maps that are confirmed for Counter-Strike 2 so far.
All Maps in Counter-Strike 2
- Active Duty Pool
- Deathmatch, Hostage, and Bomb Defusal maps
- Maps in the Counter-Strike 2 limited test
Active Duty Pool
Maps in the Active Duty Pool are maps that at some point were available to play in the Competitive queue, and used in CS:GO tournaments. Some of them were moved to the Reserve Pool, but others are still playable today.
The only maps that were once in the Active Duty Pool which did not make an appearance are Cache and Anubis. Vertigo has since been found in the game files.
It is unknown at this stage if Valve will be remaking Cache for Counter-Strike 2. Anubis is the newest addition to the Pool, so it will most likely make an appearance too.
Dust II
Counter-Strike and Dust II go hand in hand. When fans of FPS games think Counter-Strike, Dust 2 is most likely what they first think of, and of course, it is in the newest iteration of the game.
Dust 2 is classified as a Touchstone map, where its biggest updates come in its lighting. Everything else stays the same.
Mirage
A Counter-Strike Fan favorite, the map that was initially made for esports play in the Cyberathlete Professional League in CS 1.6, has become a mainstay in Counter-Strike. Being the only map to be played in every single CS major since its release. And of course, it makes a return in CS2.
Mirage is classified as a Touchstone map, where its biggest updates come in its lighting. Everything else stays the same.
Train
Yes, the classic CS 1.6 map, created by one of Counter Strike’s creators, Train, is finally back since its demotion to the Reserve Map Pool in May 2021.
Train is classified as a Touchstone map, where its biggest updates come in its lighting. Everything else stays the same.
Nuke
Nuke has been a mainstay in competitive play since CS 1.6, and the move to Counter-Strike 2 has not changed that, as
Nuke is classified as an Upgrade map, where its biggest update comes in the form of new lighting physics and textures made for the map.
Overpass
One of the most unique maps in the pool, being one of the few maps in the Active Duty Pool which was specifically made in CSGO, it won’t be missing in the shift to Counter-Strike 2.
Overpass is classified as an Overhaul map, where it received a complete rebuild from the ground up, from textures, lighting, structures, and even gameplay changes.
Inferno
One of the oldest maps in the game, making its first appearance in CS 1.1, it is an absolute classic when it comes to Counter-Strike, and yes, it’s coming along to Counter-Strike 2.
Inferno is classified as an Overhaul map, where it received a complete rebuild from the ground up, from textures, lighting, structures, and even gameplay changes.
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Ancient
One of the newest maps in the Active Duty Pool, the spiritual successor to Aztec, Ancient was inserted into the pool to much controversy and dismay from players at the time. But it will make another return with minimal changes.
Ancient is classified as an Upgrade map, where its biggest update comes in the form of new lighting physics and textures made for the map.
Cobblestone
Although the consensus on Cobble is still in debate, it still has its fans in the community, and they were distraught by its removal in 2019. But it seems to be making a reappearance, with its Terrorist spawn entry being shown in Source 2.
It is unknown what classification Cobblestone received, but it is expected to be included in the full game at launch.
Vertigo
Deathmatch, Hostage, and Bomb Defusal maps
This section comprises a whole host of fan favorites, to infamous, maps. There are a lot of maps showcased, but there were a notable few which were a mainstay in CS’s history but did not appear. Here are some notable missing ones:
Here are the ones that did appear in the reveal video.
Tuscan
Here is one for the old-school fans. The Bomb Defusal map was a mainstay in CS 1.6, receiving plenty of play in the esports scene during its prime. But during the shift to CSGO, Tuscan was left behind. It was temporarily released in CSGO, but was not meant to be played regularly.
Tuscan is classified as an Overhaul map, where it received a complete rebuild from the ground up, from textures, lighting, structures, and even gameplay changes.
Italy
The fun, awkward, and classic hostage map which has been around since the game’s beta in 1999 has been shown with an entirely new look to it. Most likely never going to be put in the Active Duty Pool, it’s nice to see it updated for a new iteration once again.
Italy is classified as an Overhaul map, where it received a complete rebuild from the ground up, from textures, lighting, structures, and even gameplay changes.
Baggage
Yep, it’s coming back. Arms Race (aka Gun Game) fans will be happy to see the classic return once again. It made its first appearance in CSGO specifically made for the Arms Race game mode. The teasing of this map possibly means Arms Race is coming with the port.
Baggage is classified as an Upgrade map, where its biggest update comes in the form of new lighting physics and textures made for the map.
Other maps that didn’t appear in the teaser videos but have been found in the game files include:
Shoots
Office
Canals
Lake
Shortdust
Maps in the Counter-Strike 2 limited test
Maps in the Counter-Strike 2 limited test are maps currently available to play for players that made it into the beta of CS2 with all the graphical enchantments of Source 2.
The only map available since the beta’s launch is Dust 2, but some data miners suggest that this might change in an upcoming patch.
Dust II
It comes as no surprise that Counter-Strike 2’s beta launched with the most popular map in the entire franchise. Players’ familiarity with the layout serves as a great benchmark for new gameplay additions and quirks of CS2.
On the other hand, some players noted that Dust 2 doesn’t feature many reflective surfaces or other areas that push the graphical capabilities of Source 2 to its limit, therefore more maps should join the testing pool to test the new build’s stability across different PCs.
Mirage, Overpass, Nuke, and Ancient
Unless @CounterStrike devs change their minds, one (or more) of the following maps will be added to the Limited Test next: Mirage, Overpass, Nuke and Ancient.Which one do you think should be added first, and which one would benefit from the new voxel based volumetric smokes? pic.twitter.com/gRYn8N8cSy
— Aquarius (@aquaismissing) March 26, 2023
Counter-Strike 2 data miner Aquarius suggested in one of his latest Tweets that the code hints at Mirage, Overpass, Nuke, and Ancient coming to the limited test “unless devs change their minds.”
Whether any of them actually make it into the test remains unconfirmed as of the time of writing, but comments under the Tweet suggest that players would really like to see Overpass or Nuke make it into the beta.
In the meantime, be sure to brush up on all things Counter-Strike 2 with our other guides here:
How to play Counter-Strike 2 limited beta test | Is Counter-Strike 2 going to be free to play? | What is sub-tick in Counter-Strike 2? | All smoke changes in Counter-Strike 2 | Can you play Counter-Strike 2 on Linux or macOS? | Can banned CS:GO players play Counter-Strike 2? | What will happen to my CSGO skins? | Will Counter-Strike 2 come to Steam Deck? | Valve officially reveals Counter-Strike 2 | Everything we know about Counter-Strike 2