On July 16, 2025, Valve released a major update to CS2: Overpass replaced Anubis and returned to the Active Duty map pool. This adjustment coincided with the eve of IEM Cologne and was of great strategic significance. At the same time, the CT economic system introduced a new team reward mechanism, and the performance of MP9 weapons and incendiary bombs was optimized, which improved the diversity of competition at the tactical level.
Comparison of important data on map rotation
1. Active Duty seven maps
Before the update, the map pool included: Train, Dust II, Mirage, Nuke, Ancient, Inferno, Anubis. After this replacement, the map pool is adjusted to: Overpass replaces Anubis, maintaining the seven-map structure.
2. Overpass history and CT tendency
In January 2025, Overpass was temporarily replaced by Dust II and entered the Reserve map pool.
In CS:GO and CS2 league data, Overpass is often regarded as one of the strongest CT-oriented maps, with a CT win rate of more than 55%.
3. Anubis performance and controversy
Since joining the Active Duty map pool in November 2022, Anubis has caused controversy due to its obvious T-side advantage (about 58.2%).
The CT win rate is only about 41.8%, and the strategic balance is biased, resulting in high-level competition being regarded as one of the “tactical single” maps.
Highlights of equipment and economic adjustments
CT team bounty mechanism
Introducing “+50 USD reward for each T-side kill”, which can be obtained even if the round fails. It is expected to effectively encourage the CT side to participate in the battle style more actively, while weakening the negative psychology after Anubis is abandoned.
MP9 and incendiary bomb changes
MP9: Jump accuracy is significantly reduced, recoil is greater, which helps to curb the abuse of aerial movement.
Incendiary Grenade: The flame spreads faster, providing a stronger counter to the CT side in terms of space control and stationary pressure.
Community and professional response
Community voice
From the r/GlobalOffensive discussion thread, some players expressed doubts about the map rotation, believing that Dust II, Mirage, and Inferno appeared too frequently and should be optimized more. However, some people supported the return of Overpass as a “reasonable and more tactically profound” choice:
“Really disappointed … wish Valve would remove one of Dust2, Mirage or Inferno.”
“Overpass is a great map though.”
Professional competitions and future trends
Whether IEM Cologne will adopt this map rotation has not yet been officially confirmed, but combined with the update time, Valve is very likely to apply it to professional competitions at the same time, giving Tourney teams an opportunity to prepare in advance.
Professional teams need to restructure the allocation of training resources for Overpass and Anubis, especially after the adjustment of strategy and economic chestnuts, the map selection will become more flexible.
Overall impact assessment and future prospects
1. Tactical and game ecology level
Map balance optimization: Overpass’s CT tendency may bring a more robust game structure and combat excessive T-side map preference.
Economic system improvement: +50 US dollars reward encourages CT side to actively participate in the battle, injecting new impetus into the overall round rhythm.
Equipment adjustment refinement: The tuning of MP9 and incendiary bombs in the confrontation rhythm and space control will affect many medium and low-speed endgame actual combat.
2. Professional competition and player behavior
Overpass returns to high-frequency rotation, and professional teams will invest more resources in retraining.
Player matchmaking behavior may turn to Overpass, and the community environment will quickly form a second wave.
IEM and other major map selections are expected to attract more audience attention and extend the enthusiasm for viewing strategy discussions.
Conclusion
Valve’s CS2 update achieved a reasonable balance of the map ecology by replacing Overpass with Active Duty and removing Anubis. The matching CT economic mechanism and equipment adjustments also help improve round diversity and competition depth. In the short term, professional players and players need to re-adapt in the short term; in the long term, this strategy is expected to push CS2 towards a more competitive state. The next few rounds of Major or Pro League competitions will be the key nodes to test whether this round of changes is successful.
A good set of equipment is very suitable for the Overpass map. You can choose to buy it directly from the official store or open case on a trustworthy and reputable website.