Skins for rent and huge changes to Vertigo. Details of the big patch for Counter-Strike 2
Large patches for Counter-Strike 2 are released extremely rarely, but aptly. Once again, Valve surprised the community with unexpected changes. In general, they are extremely important for the game, but everyone is waiting for the anti-cheat update, which still does not come out. However, the patch for CS2, which was released on the night of May 24, changed not only the gameplay mechanics, but also the skins market. Point A on the Vertigo map has undergone a global rework, now the map is more focused on CT dominance. The economics of protection itself also underwent changes; it became more suitable for the MR12 format. And for skin lovers, a new mechanic has appeared – the ability to rent skins from the Kilowatt case. In this material we will discuss all the global changes in the large-scale patch for Counter-Strike 2.
Renting skins
The new patch will definitely appeal to fans of beautiful skins. Players now have the opportunity to rent the entire Kilowatt collection instead of trying to pull the coveted skin out of a case. To do this, you will still need the container itself and the key to it, but instead of opening the loot box, you can get all 17 skins, except for the knife, for your use for a week. So far, this opportunity is only available for one case in the game, so there has not yet been a global impact on the skins market, but the Kilowatt container itself has risen in price several times. Skins from the collection will expectedly begin to fall in price, because any player can get them for a while, spending a minimum amount on it. This is a very cool update for ordinary players, but traders and owners of expensive equipment are clearly not pleased with it. If this mechanic takes root, it may become traditional for all new cases and we will see dramatic changes in the market for colorings for Counter-Strike 2.
Vertigo
Vertigo was one of the most unloved map not only by casual gamers, but also by many esports players. Global changes have been afoot for a long time, but no one expected them to be like this. The biggest complaint about this location was that the attack has too much of an advantage. But in the new patch, Valve has redesigned the most problematic area on the map – site A. Previously, terrorists could easily and with minimal cost occupy a point and plant a bomb, even in a 5v5 situation. Now this will no longer be possible, because the defense has received more space to defend positions. Additional passages have appeared, namely a bridge leading from the “nine” to the “cement” and an additional opening from the center of the map.
It’s difficult to say whether these changes will have a positive impact on Vertigo. Almost no one liked the map update; new problems may arise. After all, it is now impossible to play on the attacking side; the defense has gained too much of an advantage.
Immediately after the update was released, most professional players criticized the new Vertigo. We collected the reactions of some representatives of the esports scene:
“That’s why you remove the overpass, so that later you don’t give a shit about vertigo?” – David n0rb3r7 Danielyan, Virtus.pro.
“Just delete this map already, please.” – Nikola NiKo Kovac, G2 Esports.
“Okay, the new Vertigo is a complete ***.” – Vladislav nafany Gorshkov, BetBoom Team.
“About vertigo, it seemed that it was the most balanced map, and now I don’t even know, A has so many holes, now it will be very difficult for Tshniks to enter.” – Vladislav Krad Kravchenko, AMKAL Esports.
“As for vertigo, it seems like a thrill, but there is a fear that it will be a full CT map and they will take 3 rounds for the Teros.” – Robert Patsi Isyanov, PARIVISION.
“Vertigo is so bad that they need to update it every 2 years. Just delete it at that point please.” – Guillaume neL Canelo, insider.
“Valve removed part of vertigo? Have them remove the rest and get back to me.” – Duncan Thorin Shields, analyst.
Economy
Ever since the release of Counter-Strike 2, players have believed that the old economy does not fit the shortened MR12 format. Valve ignored this problem for a long time, but now they have finally started working on reworking it. So far, the changes have affected only the defense side, but there is still more to come. In the new patch, the developers have reduced the price of the M4A4 – now you have to pay $3000 for it, not $3100. The incendiary grenade has also become cheaper – $500 instead of $600. Terrorists now receive less money for planting a bomb ($600, rather than $800), which will also have a positive effect on CT’s win rate.
Incendiary grenade
The incendiary grenade itself has also undergone changes. Now her visual treatment is different from Molotov. The very area of its distribution and the duration of combustion have decreased. Apparently, despite the lower cost, the fire grenade alternative remains more effective for terrorists.
Chickens
The big patch also affected our favorite birds, which have already become a distinctive element of the shooter. Chickens learned to squat, turn while walking, and climb hills. One of the data miners discovered new animations in the Counter-Strike 2 files for inspecting birds from the first person in the player’s hands, which may hint at the imminent appearance of the long-awaited pets.
Like all major updates to Counter-Strike 2, the new patch was not without criticism from the community and esports players. But, if few people liked the new Vertigo, the majority remained satisfied with the changes in the economy and the mechanics of renting skins. We are still waiting for the reworking of the financial component of terrorists, an updated anti-cheat and the first operation in CS2.