Since the release of CS2 more than 2 years ago, Valve hasn’t announced a single new operation. But if we go back to CS:GO, there’s plenty to talk about.
In this guide, you will discover the 11 Counter-Strike operations that were released by Valve during the CS:GO era.
Table of Contents
All Counter-Strike Operations
| # | Operation Name | Game | Start Date | End Date | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Operation Payback | CS:GO | Apr 25, 2013 | Aug 31, 2013 | First CS:GO operation, community maps, operation coin |
| 2 | Operation Bravo | CS:GO | Sep 19, 2013 | Feb 5, 2014 | Weapon cases, more structured missions |
| 3 | Operation Phoenix | CS:GO | Feb 20, 2014 | Jun 11, 2014 | Phoenix Case, popular competitive maps |
| 4 | Operation Breakout | CS:GO | Jul 1, 2014 | Oct 2, 2014 | Breakout Case, first Butterfly Knife |
| 5 | Operation Vanguard | CS:GO | Nov 11, 2014 | Mar 31, 2015 | Campaign-style missions, Vanguard Case |
| 6 | Operation Bloodhound | CS:GO | May 26, 2015 | Oct 1, 2015 | First operation with two cases |
| 7 | Operation Wildfire | CS:GO | Feb 17, 2016 | Jul 15, 2016 | Wildfire Case, Guardian missions |
| 8 | Operation Hydra | CS:GO | May 23, 2017 | Nov 13, 2017 | Co-op Strike, War Games, weekly progression |
| 9 | Operation Shattered Web | CS:GO | Nov 18, 2019 | Mar 30, 2020 | First modern battle-pass system, agents |
| 10 | Operation Broken Fang | CS:GO | Dec 3, 2020 | May 3, 2021 | Retakes mode, Broken Fang Case |
| 11 | Operation Riptide | CS:GO | Sep 21, 2021 | Feb 22, 2022 | Short matches, swimming, map updates |
| 12 | — No Operations Yet — | CS2 | — | — | Valve has not released a CS2 operation |
Key Info About Each Counter-Strike Operation to Date
Here’s what you need to know about the CS:GO operations that were released years ago:
Operation Payback (2013)
CS:GO’s very first operation focused on community-made maps and competitive variety. Players earned an operation coin that upgraded through play, setting the foundation for future operations.
Weapon Case Introduced: None
Operation Bravo (2013–2014)
Bravo expanded the operation concept with more curated maps and progression. It marked the beginning of operations being tied directly to new cosmetic content.
Weapon Case Introduced: Operation Bravo Case
Operation Phoenix (2014)
Phoenix refined the operation formula and brought several maps that later became competitive staples. It was also one of the most popular early operations due to its skins.
Weapon Case Introduced: Operation Phoenix Weapon Case
Operation Breakout (2014)
Breakout is iconic for introducing one of the most desirable knife types in Counter-Strike history. Missions were simple, but the cosmetic impact was massive.
Weapon Case Introduced: Operation Breakout Weapon Case
Operation Vanguard (2014–2015)
Vanguard introduced campaign-style missions that encouraged longer-term engagement. It experimented with more structured objectives across multiple weeks.
Weapon Case Introduced: Operation Vanguard Weapon Case
Operation Bloodhound (2015)
Bloodhound was the first operation to feature two different weapon cases, unlocked progressively by upgrading the operation coin.
Weapon Case Introduced: Falchion Case, Shadow Case
Operation Wildfire (2016)
Wildfire emphasized co-op Guardian missions and story-driven objectives. It also introduced a new map that later evolved into Cache’s remake pipeline.
Weapon Case Introduced: Operation Wildfire Case
Operation Hydra (2017)
Hydra significantly changed the operation structure with weekly progression, War Games modes, and Co-op Strike missions. It was the last “old-style” operation before a long hiatus.
Weapon Case Introduced: Operation Hydra Case
Operation Shattered Web (2019–2020)
Shattered Web marked the return of operations after two years and introduced the modern battle pass system, along with player agents.
Weapon Case Introduced: Shattered Web Case
Operation Broken Fang (2020–2021)
Broken Fang expanded on the battle pass format and introduced Retakes mode to official matchmaking. It also added new collections and gloves.
Weapon Case Introduced: Operation Broken Fang Case
Operation Riptide (2021–2022)
Riptide was the final CS:GO operation, adding short competitive matches, swimming mechanics, and major map updates. It represented the most flexible operation format to date.
Weapon Case Introduced: Operation Riptide Case
Conclusion
During the CS:GO era, Valve introduced around a dozen Counter-Strike operations and plenty of weapon cases. At the moment, we’re still waiting for the first CS2 operation.
FAQs
What is a CS:GO operation?
A CS:GO operation is a limited-time event that introduces missions, maps, cosmetics, and progression systems, usually tied to an operation pass and exclusive rewards.
Which CS:GO operation introduced the Butterfly Knife?
Operation Breakout (2014) introduced the Butterfly Knife, making it one of the most iconic and valuable knife additions in Counter-Strike history.
Do CS:GO operations still exist in CS2?
No new operations have been released since Operation Riptide (2021–2022). As of now, CS2 has not introduced a dedicated operation.
Are operation weapon cases still obtainable?
Yes. Most operation weapon cases are still obtainable through the Steam Market or trade, but they no longer drop in-game from missions.
Which CS:GO operation was the most impactful?
Many players consider Operation Breakout and Operation Shattered Web the most impactful due to major gameplay changes and highly desirable cosmetic additions.
