New CS2 update adds Overpass to Active Duty, removes Anubis in Premier Season 3

Well, guys. It wasn’t +Cache, but the new CS2 update has brought a map pool change, with Overpass returning to Active Duty in favor of the overly T-sided Anubis. The change comes as part of CS2 Premier Season 3, which is officially live.

That’s not all, though – there have also been a host of important gameplay changes which will affect the CT-side heavily – let’s dive into the specifics of the new CS2 update.

Anubis map pool stint comes to an end

After almost three years as part of the Active Duty map pool, Anubis is finally out in the new CS2 update. The map has, by the numbers, been the most T-sided map of all time in 2025, making a change necessary if it’s to come back in the future. In its stead, Overpass is finally back in CS2 Premier Season 3, making its return after well over a year out of the fray. During its time out, Valve has made some important visibility updates to Overpass, making its comeback in the new CS2 update seamless.

It’s sad to see Anubis go, but Overpass is a welcome addition, given that it’s one of the most tactical maps in all of Counter-Strike. The new CS2 update sets an interesting precedent – it appears that every Premier Season will feature a map pool change, resulting in more frequent updates than Valve has implemented in recent years. I like it – it keeps us all on our toes about what is happening in future CS2 updates.

It remains to be seen whether Overpass will make its return at IEM Cologne 2025, although teams won’t have long to prepare if it does. Embrace the chaos – after all, something has to stop this Vitality dominance.

CS2 gameplay update brings important CT-side changes

Maps are fun, but the gameplay changes in the new CS2 update are massive. First off, the Incendiary Grenade has received a much-needed buff, with its fire now spreading more rapidly. I’m not sure this will solve Ts simply running through them, but at least Valve is trying something.

Next, the MP9 has been nerfed, giving it “increased recoil magnitude and substantially reduced jumping accuracy.” At $1,250, it was arguably the best value-for-money gun in CS2 previously, so this one makes sense, although nerfing anything on the CT side at the moment feels like a risk.

Season Two: Episode Onehttps://t.co/Ht2AYTF18c

— CS2 (@CounterStrike) July 16, 2025

Last but not least, we finally got that CT-side economy fix in the new CS2 update! Now, CTs will receive a $50 team reward across the board for each terrorist eliminated in a round, a unique solution that may completely change how many buy rounds occur in the average CT side. Good or bad? Who’s to say. Let’s see how it pans out, though.

Item scam reversal is a game-changer for CS2 skin fans

Another big change here is the addition of “a new feature to help keep your Counter-Strike items secure.” Valve says that if “you lose control of your account or were the target of a scam by a bad actor, you may reverse all Counter-Strike item trades from the last 7 days.” Again, how this works in practice remains to be seen, but it’s interesting nonetheless.

You can read the full set of new CS2 update patch notes below or here on Steam:

New CS2 Update Patch Notes: July 16th, 2025

[ Premier Season Three ]

• Premier Season Three is now open for business

• Added Overpass to the Active Duty Map Pool

• Removed Anubis from the Active Duty Map Pool

[ GAMEPLAY ]

• Incendiary Grenade – incendiary grenade fire spreads more rapidly

• MP9 – increased recoil magnitude and substantially reduced jumping accuracy

• In Competitive modes, Counter-Terrorists now receive a $50 team award for each Terrorist eliminated in a round