New CS2 update brings back forgotten CS:GO feature

Guys, I think we’re officially back. You’ve seen the Reddit threads for the launch of CS2, clamoring for the return of item rarity glow in-game. A feature so inconsequential that many won’t have even noticed it was gone in the first place. Now, with the new CS2 update, it’s finally back, just 20 months after the game’s initial launch.

I jest. Ultimately, it’s the little features that add up to craft the entire Counter-Strike experience, and item rarity glow is a feature many players have been begging Valve to add since the release of CS2. After all, it was in CS:GO, so why shouldn’t it be in the newer game? And nowadays, skin fans are essential to the CS community, so it makes sense to cater to their desires with new updates.

If you’re here and have no idea what I’m talking about, check out the screenshot below, with the glow around the item in-game now based on its rarity.

Item rarity glow needs to be enabled in new CS2 update

Unlike the CS:GO implementation of the feature, players need to actually go ahead and enable item rarity glow in the new CS2 update. To do this, head to the “Game” tab in your CS2 settings, and scroll down to the “Hud” subheading. You should see a new setting titled “Glow Weapon with Rarity Color.” Make sure this is selected “Yes,” and you’re good to go!

It’s an admittedly small new CS2 update, but given how it’s clearly important to many, I’m glad Valve has finally added it, albeit a little late.

The other highlight change in the latest CS2 update is a fix for a bug where “weapons purchased with ‘Buy & Throw’ could be refunded after firing.” This bug was recently highlighted at PGL Astana 2025, where several pros abused the bug to get free Scout shots at the beginning of rounds. The glitch was allegedly cleared by PGL for use at the tournament, and it remains to be seen if it remains in the build used for the remainder of the event.

You can find the full patch notes for the new CS2 update here.

New CS2 Update Patch Notes For May 13th, 2025

• Fixed a bug where weapons purchased with “Buy & Throw” could be refunded after firing.

• Season Two world and regional leaderboards are now populated.

• Added HUD “Glow Weapon with Rarity Color” setting.
• Minimally scraped stickers now cover over the gap on the front grip of the AK-47.