CS2 Updates: Release of Epic Changes and New Features

On June 7th, Valve released a massive Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test update with numerous changes to gameplay and interface, including adding a new map, reworked buy menu, and other new features. Read further to find out all the details about one of the biggest CS2 updates so far.

CS2 Updates and Changes

The first change that comes with the latest CS2 update is a brand new loadout system that allows you to select fifteen weapons from three categories, add those to your custom loadout, and use them in your matches.

New Loadout System

The loadout list includes five pistols with this number, including the starting one which you get every round for free, five “mid-tier” guns, which are submachine, and five assault and sniper rifles.

Any 5 pistols, any 5 mid-tier weapons, and any 5 rifles. Today's Counter-Strike 2 update introduces a revised loadout system where players select 15 weapons from 3 categories on CT and T-side to bring with them into matches. Including the M4A4 and M4A1-S. pic.twitter.com/enl7mW9qnT

— CS2 (@CounterStrike) June 6, 2023

There are separate loadouts for the T side and the CT side, and you will never have to worry about picking between M4A1-S and M4A4, as you can add them both to your in-game loadout.

F*ck switching crosshairs / settings mid game.
Switching M4's mid game >>>

— NIP CS (@NIPCS) June 6, 2023

Refunding Weapons

Other changes that await you in Counter-Strike 2 are a reworked buy menu interface and the long-awaited ability to refund your accidental purchases during buy time. The buy menu wheel was replaced with a grid, and detailed descriptions of weapons are removed.

Bought the wrong thing? Meant to buy a different weapon, armor, or grenade? Sell your purchase back and buy again (during buy time). pic.twitter.com/7KJ4WN82XU

— CS2 (@CounterStrike) June 6, 2023

Mirage In, Dust 2 Out

Dust 2 is gone again. However, this time it is replaced by Mirage on official Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test matchmaking servers. Oneway Connector smoke no longer works, and you can’t jump on Ninja now.

MIRAGE NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD 😍 pic.twitter.com/CO9C4q9llb

— NIP CS (@NIPCS) June 6, 2023

FIRST EVER WINDOW JUMP IN CS2 pic.twitter.com/v9CDGIMdgc

— HEROIC (@heroicgg) June 6, 2023

Here is a video edit with clips from the Ohnepixel’s stream with him reacting to the new Mirage map.

New instant window smokes for the Counter-Strike 2 version of Mirage have been found already, so watch this video to learn them if you are a lucky player with Limited Test access.

VAC Live Is Now Live

A new VAC feature was also introduced: from now on, it will permanently ban cheaters and end the match after the current round unless it’s the final round and the cheater has already lost.

This will ensure a fair gaming environment for all players and will not impact the other players’ ranks. Additionally, players who were not part of the same group as the banned player will still receive experience points for the match.

New CS2 Workshop Tools

As promised, Valve also delivered new Counter-Strike 2 Workshop Tools that will help community contributors by easing the process of creating customized cosmetic items, such as weapon finishes and stickers, and community maps.

Source Filmmaker community… the day has come, welcome aboard to @CounterStrike ! pic.twitter.com/5rEiIA6Gu6

— ‎Gabe Follower (@gabefollower) June 7, 2023

Changes To The Sub-Tick System

The sub-tick system was updated as well to make it more precise and less “floaty’. To do this, developers fine-tuned weapon aim punch recovery to be latency-independent during sub-tick recovery on the client. Also, releasing movement keys now correctly conveys their sub-tick timing.

Updated Smoke

The controversial volumetric smoke received improved lighting and rendering when smoke overlaps multiple distinctly lit regions. Now, you will create larger holes in smoke when you shoot with a shotgun, and the high-explosive grenade effect times on smoke have been reduced.

Other changes

FAMAS now has a different firing sound.

The new FAMAS sounds great! https://t.co/Acz0on45pF pic.twitter.com/BJNNJFkyND

— Aquarius (@aquaismissing) June 6, 2023

Now, when a chicken dies in a Molotov fire in Counter-Strike 2, it gets cooked.

An unnoticed Counter-Strike 2 feature:

If a chicken dies to a fire it gets COOKED 🔥 pic.twitter.com/MA0QgbJsHk

— Aquarius (@aquaismissing) June 7, 2023

CS2 Update Reactions

Here are a few Twitter reactions of esports clubs, organizations, players, and content makers to the latest CS2 updates.

Just realized I can't use the "damn my bad I already bought kevlar and Deagle" excuse anymore pic.twitter.com/HH79yG64Sm

— Hac1 (@DonHaci) June 6, 2023

W 🔥 pic.twitter.com/tvx6bJ72st

— FACEIT Counter-Strike (@FACEITCS) June 6, 2023

it's getting closer.. https://t.co/me8Z5Ibwbn

— FACEIT Counter-Strike (@FACEITCS) June 7, 2023

WORLDS FIRST MIRAGE CS2 MATCHMAKING BAN 😈 pic.twitter.com/vYF0aQ6r5V

— JOISPOI24 (@JOISPOI24) June 6, 2023

never dropping AWPs again 😌 pic.twitter.com/TYKLXPPCBq

— NIP CS (@NIPCS) June 7, 2023

RIP BOZO TO ALL MIRAGE HATERS 💀 pic.twitter.com/AZ6GiZxPX7

— NIP CS (@NIPCS) June 6, 2023

thanks for listening to our feedback 🙏

now we just need that hoverboard

— HEROIC (@heroicgg) June 7, 2023

Exciting times ahead pic.twitter.com/1pSl87dDdx

— NAVI (@natusvincere) June 5, 2023

bet pic.twitter.com/LimVcahuC7

— BIG (@BIGCLANgg) June 6, 2023

pic.twitter.com/W4YuTqYyTy

— ropz (@ropz) June 6, 2023

THIS IS EPIC

— NadeKing (@NadeKing) June 6, 2023

What, okay cool, can I test? pic.twitter.com/0I5zDzmKqp

— Sprout (@sproutGG) June 6, 2023

Me when my teammate asks me to drop them an AWP but I don't have it equipped pic.twitter.com/R2UT5q6kzT

— Lenovo Legion UK & Ireland (@LenovoLegionUKI) June 6, 2023

didn't think it was difficult to throw a molotov pic.twitter.com/MVV2mE9XSQ

— WOOF (@heyimwoof) June 7, 2023

"WE" pic.twitter.com/h53CvT5LSk

— FACEIT Counter-Strike (@FACEITCS) June 6, 2023

While most of the community’s reactions were positive, not everyone liked the new CS2 update. What is your opinion?

Valve will add any old shite to the game and you'll all lap it up. Nevermind the shit economy, worst map pool in history, trash he grenade, tick-rate issues and so on.

They waved a shiny penny! pic.twitter.com/ozrjBItylT

— Thorin (@Thorin) June 6, 2023

Explore Hellcase Blog for more content about Counter-Strike’s skins and other cosmetic items, in-depth game guides, and esports news. Also, stay tuned for more CS2 updates!