In Counter-Strike: 2, mastery of maps is crucial for success. With a multitude of diverse maps available across various game modes, it becomes essential for players to acquaint themselves with strategic nuances of each terrain in order to gain an advantageous position against their adversaries.
You will find below a complete list of competitive, casual, and deathmatch maps in Counter-Strike 2 so far.
The Active Duty Map Pool – (Premier Map Pool for CS2)
The Active Duty Map Pool, also referred to as active duty maps, is the backbone of competitive CS2. The latest update to the map pool was on the 25th of April, 2024, as shown in the newest Counter-Strike 2 release notes.
The competition map pool, Premier matchmaking, and Active Duty Group now feature Dust 2 instead of Overpass as of the latest patch.
It consists of seven distinct battlegrounds that serve as arenas for professional tournaments and are favored choices among both casual and pro players. Each map has its own unique gameplay and strategic elements.
Why is map knowledge important in CS2? Knowing the layout, choke points, bomb sites, and effective grenade throws for each map gives you a significant tactical advantage. It’s the key to becoming a true master of the game.
1. Mirage
Mirage, a favored option among players, boasts a well-balanced and adaptable battleground that accommodates both casual enthusiasts and seasoned competitors.
The map’s distinct layout and strategic markers necessitate a solid grasp of the game’s mechanics, rendering it a beloved choice for those seeking an exhilarating challenge.
Mirage, stemming from its origins in the Cyberathlete Professional League, has firmly established itself as a prominent force within the competitive gaming scene.
This enduring presence guarantees players an electrifying and captivating gameplay experience, which can be further enhanced with CS2 skins.
Mid: The central area of the map, is crucial for controlling both sites.A Site: The area for planting the bomb on the A side, including:
- Default: The standard bomb plant spot on A.
- Triple Stack: The three-box stack provides cover on A.
- Ninja: A hidden spot next to the triple stack, often used for flanking.
B Site: The area for planting on the B side, including:
- Bench: The bench area offering cover on B.
- Van: The vehicle provides additional hiding spots.
- Back Site: The area behind the bombsite, often where defenders hide.
A Ramp: The sloped path leading to the A site.Tetris: The stack of boxes at the top of A Ramp.CT Spawn: The spawn area for the Counter-Terrorists on the A-side.
2. Vertigo
After an 18-year absence, Vertigo is back, reintroduced as a divisive map that prioritizes gathering information and vertical gameplay. Its layout compels players to adapt and formulate new strategies, with emphasis on clever utility usage and swift rotations.
While opinions about Vertigo may be polarized, there’s no denying that mastering this map demands a profound grasp of the fundamental principles of Counter-Strike.
Vertigo is an excellent choice for players who want to push their limits. It provides a unique environment where they can test and refine their skills.
A Site: The top level where the bomb can be planted, including:
- Default: The common bomb plant spot on A.
- Elevator: The area near the elevator shaft, provides vertical cover.
B Site: The lower level site for planting, including:
- Default: The common bomb plant spot on B.
- Pillar: The central pillar offering cover.
- Back Site: The area behind the bomb site for defense.
Mid: The central area connecting both A and B sites.
Stairs: The staircase leading between levels.
Ramp: The sloped path leading up to the A site.
3. Nuke
Nuke, a fundamental component of Counter-Strike dating back to 1999, represents a challenging dual-level map that has maintained its CT-sided dominance despite several updates and adjustments.
This distinct layout necessitates players’ meticulous positioning and seamless coordination since even the slightest misstep can lead to a detrimental loss in an individual round.
Nuke’s gameplay presents a challenge, making it an exceptional option for players who seek to enhance their skills and outsmart adversaries.
- Outside: The area outside the map leading to the B site; is important for control and sneaky plays.
- A Site: The elevated platform where the bomb can be planted; requires coordination to defend.
- Ramp: The slope leading down to the B site; often used for aggressive pushes or defensive setups.
- Heaven: The upper area above A site; provides a vantage point for defenders.
4. Ancient
Ancient, the newest addition to the active duty pool, showcases a distinct green color palette. It features a layout that initially favored the CT side. However, recent updates have balanced the map, emphasizing the importance of mid-control in competitive gameplay.
As I step into the newest battleground, Ancient reveals itself as an exhilarating challenge for those striving to maintain their edge amidst fierce competition.
A Site: The primary bomb plant area, including:
- Default: The standard bomb plant location.
- Temple: The area near the stone structures for cover.
B Site: The secondary bomb site, including:
- Default: The common bomb plant spot on B.
- Cave: The area leading to the site, often used for ambushes.
Mid: The central area with crucial control points.
Tunnels: The pathways connecting sites and mid areas.
Pillars: The vertical structures offering cover on both sites
5. Anubis
Anubis, the latest addition to the CS2 reserve pool, is a community-created map with a maze-like layout. Despite its intricate design, this map offers players versatile gameplay that challenges their adaptability and game sense.
Anubis, a recently added map in the competitive pool for CS2 now will become a map for the reserve map pool. It brings excitement and challenge to players seeking to expand their knowledge of game maps.
A Site: The area for planting on A, including:
- Default: The primary bomb plant spot.
- Water: The area near the water feature provides cover.
B Site: The main bomb plant area, including:
- Default: The common bomb plant spot on B.
- Back Site: The area behind the bombsite for defense.
Mid: The central area is crucial for map control.
Catwalk: The elevated pathway connecting A and B.
Tunnels: The hidden paths used for flanking or sneaky plays.
6. Inferno
Inferno, a timeless classic within the realm of Counter-Strike, boasts a rich history. Its enduring popularity arises from the perfect equilibrium it offers in gameplay, allowing for both calculated strategic moves and bold aggressive plays.
Inferno has garnered a dedicated fanbase and holds a rich history, making it a cherished choice for players seeking to master the essentials of CS2.
- Banana: The path leading to the B site; crucial for control during pushes.
- A Site: The area for planting on the A side, with notable spots like default and pit.
- Balcony: The ledge overlooking the A site; a common place for defenders to hide.
- Mid: The central pathway between A and B, is important for map control and rotating.
7. Dust 2
Dust 2, a cherished map in Counter-Strike 2, has officially replaced the Overpass in the Active Duty Group. This announcement enhances the competitive map pool and Premier matchmaking experience.
Renowned for its balanced gameplay and strategic depth, Dust 2 remains a community favorite. Key areas like Tunnels, Mid, and Long require tactical control and effective team communication, with Mid being crucial for accessing both bomb sites.
To achieve success teams must master Dust 2 callouts and strategies for competitive play.
- Mid: The central area between A and B sites; is essential for map control.
- Long A: The long path leading to the A site from T spawn; critical for executing A pushes.
- Catwalk: The raised area that leads to the A site; often contested during rounds.
- Bombsite A: The primary area for planting the bomb on the A side, with key cover spots like the default box and triple stack.
- Bombsite B: The main area for planting on the B side, features an elevated platform known as the “B platform” and a common hiding spot in the back of the site.
Related: Learn CS2 Maps Callouts in full detail
New CS2 Maps
Four new maps were added to CS2 in November, 2024, as disclosed in the release notes. These include Basalt, Edin, Palais, and Whistle.
Basalt
Edin
Palais
Whistle
Maps Removed from Past Map Pool Update
The latest changes to the map pool were made by Valve in November, 2024.
Thera
Thera is a bomb-defusal map that logically blends into the picturesque environment of the historical 3000-year-old Santorini, Thera, Greece. This eruptive round island renders it not only one of the most appealing gamescapes but also one of the most functional ones.
Credits go to the profound research of Mapcore, Celery, Leplubodeslapin, Yanzl, JimWood, and ConnorJC.
A Site: The main bomb plant area, including:
- Default: The common bomb plant spot on A.
- Pillars: The structures providing cover.
B Site: The secondary bomb site, including:
- Default: The primary bomb plant location.
- Back Site: The area for hiding behind the bomb site.
Mid: The central area is crucial for controlling movements.
Rooftop: The elevated areas for players to gain vantage points.
Read more about the new map Thera here.
Mills
Mills might be a familiar map name for the OG Counter-Strike players, as it was one of the most popular maps during the 1.6 era. Inspired by the old cpl_mill from 1.6, this is a small map based in a small village in the Netherlands, according to the official Steam page of the map.
A Site: The main bomb planting area, including:
- Default: The standard bomb plant location.
- Warehouse: The covered area near the A site.
B Site: The secondary bomb site, including:
- Default: The common bomb plant spot on B.
- Back Site: The area behind the bomb site for defensive plays.
Mid: The central control area.
Graveyard: The hidden area providing cover near mid.
Memento
Memento is a small map for the Wingman mode and is being played on an Italian wedding set right in front of a large lake.
A Site: The primary bomb planting area, including:
- Default: The common bomb plant spot.
- Barrel: The barrels offering cover on A.
B Site: The secondary bomb site, including:
- Default: The primary bomb plant location.
- Stairs: The area leading to the B site.
Mid: The crucial central area for map control.
Alley: The narrow path connecting sites.
Read more about the new Memento CS2 map here.
Assembly
A Site: The main bomb plant area, including:
- Default: The standard bomb plant spot on A.
- Boxes: The stack of boxes providing cover.
B Site: The secondary bomb site, including:
- Default: The common bomb plant location on B.
- Back Site: The area for defensive plays behind the site.
Mid: The central control area.
Warehouse: The covered area connecting sites.
More about the new CS2 map Assembly.
Other Maps and Game Modes
Not only does CS2 provide Active Duty and Reserve Map Pools, but it also offers various game modes and maps to accommodate different playstyles and preferences. These include Casual, Deathmatch, and Wingman. Each mode features its distinct map selections and gameplay experiences.
Casual Maps in CS2
The newest maps added to the Casual map pool are Basalt, Edin, Palais, and Whistle were added in the release notes for November, 2024.
- Mirage
- Overpass
- Vertigo
- Ancient
- Inferno
- Nuke
- Anubis
- Dust II
- Office (hostage map)
- Basalt
- Edin
- Train
This brand-new version of Train will be very fun to play.
Deathmatch Maps in CS2
- Italy
- Baggage
- Shoots
- Office
- Canals
- Lake
- Shortdust
- Basalt
- Edin
- Train
Wingman Maps in CS2
Wingman maps offer a unique twist on regular maps. They are smaller versions that exclude one bomb site. These maps are available in both ranked and unranked mode, providing players with a more focused and fast-paced gameplay experience.
The wingman game mode’s map pool was last updated on June 25, 2025, with the addition of Memento and Assembly.
Becoming a skilled Wingman in Maps requires delving into the game’s mechanics and embracing new challenges with open-mindedness and adaptability.
Below are the maps available in Wingman mode:
- Overpass
- Vertigo
- Inferno
- Nuke
- Palais
- Whistle
Arms Race Maps in CS2
The Arms Race game mode was added by Valve in February 2024, along with now three maps as they added the long-awaited Pool Day in a recent update:
- Baggage
- Shoots
- Pool Day
Pool Day
The latest Arms Race map is “Pool Day,” which is a remake of the 1.6 map, fy_pool_day. Arms Race and Deathmatch modes are best intended. However, Pool Day is only available in Arms Race game mode so far.
Leplubodeslapin’s 2023 product is a tribute to the original project by Squall in 2001. It has also been enriched by Nicoreda, Etienne “Wenceslas” Bednarz, and the Mapcore community.
Leaked Maps in CS2
There’s no official confirmation that Valve will release entirely new maps for CS2.
One mentionworthy leak is Cobblestone Winter Edition: This name sparks the imagination. A winterized version of the popular “Cobblestone” map could have offered a unique tactical twist.
These names hint at potential game modes like Arms Race or Demolition, adding variety to the existing pool.
Workshop Maps in CS2
While Counter-Strike 2 has a well-established competitive map pool, the Workshop feature opens doors to a vast universe of player-created maps.
The Workshop is a platform within Steam where players can create and share custom content for various games, including CS2. This allows for an ever-expanding library of maps beyond the official competitive pool.
Learn more about Workshop Map in CS2.
Summary
In my experience, the diverse and captivating world of CS2 maps opens up endless opportunities for players to enhance their skills and gain a competitive advantage.
By mastering map knowledge, strategic control, and specific tactics for each map, you can elevate your gameplay and emerge victorious in challenging battles.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Counter-Strike: 2, players can explore a variety of maps through different game modes. Currently, there are around 15 – 16 official maps in the game. But more will be added in the coming months and years.
When it comes to CS2, players often have their own preferences and skill levels when choosing popular maps. Mirage, Inferno, and Dust II are commonly favored options. It is crucial to grasp the unique features and strategies of each map to increase your likelihood of success.
The current CS2 competitive map pool features seven maps: Mirage, Inferno, Nuke, Dust 2, Vertigo, Ancient, and Anubis.
CS2 Majors are played on the current Active Duty Map Pool: Mirage, Vertigo, Nuke, Ancient, Anubis, Inferno, and Dust 2.
In the world of CS2, determining the best map is a subjective matter. Each player holds their own unique preferences and playstyles. However, Mirage undeniably captures the hearts of many due to its impeccable balance in gameplay, adaptability, and captivating design.
Utilize online resources like interactive maps, watch pro-player matches, practice in offline servers, and analyze your gameplay.
The most recently released maps in CS2 are Basalt, Edin, Palais, and Whistle.
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