Let’s face it, the current map pool in Counter-Strike 2 is the worst map pool of all time. There’s at least three bad maps, and the removal of Overpass was a travesty considering how long Vertigo has been present.

The map that replaced it, Dust2, is painfully boring, and everytime we’re forced to watch pros play it we debate switching over to VALORANT instead. Okay, maybe not, that’s a bit far - but you get the point.

With that in mind, we wondered if CS pros shared the same views as the general player base, so at IEM Cologne 2024 we asked CS pros to name some of their least-favourite maps in Counter-Strike.

Which map is pros least favourite?

NertZ

NertZ doesn’t mince words. He believes Anubis is unbalanced, especially for Counter-Terrorists, who he feels are too restricted in movement and strategy. For NertZ, Anubis might look fresh, but it’s ultimately a frustrating experience that favors the Terrorists.

Anubis, by far. It's not even a discussion. You are too limited on the CT side, and the T side is too powerful to play.

hallzerk

Hallzerk has strong feelings about the map pool overall, but Vertigo, in particular, seems to have lost its charm. He once enjoyed Vertigo, but updates have changed it in ways that he finds less enjoyable, making it one of his least favourite maps to play on.

It's hard to pick one because all of them are so bad, but I'd have to say Vertigo, before the update it was one of my favourites, but after the update I feel like it's horrible. They ruined the map completely.

lux

For lux, it’s all about the design and feel of Ancient. The constant movement from different height levels on the map is something he finds unnecessary and strange. Although he used to be quite good on Ancient, it’s become one of his least-liked maps.

Ancient, we don't play it and I don't like the verticality on it. You just switch from high ground to low ground and it doesn't make sense for me on CS. I used to be good at it, but I don't like it.

VINI

VINI finds Dust2 repetitive and stale, but he also feels strongly about Vertigo, calling it “really, really bad.” It seems like the classic maps aren’t doing it for him, and he’s ready for a serious refresh.

Personally, it's Dust2, it's really boring. But nowadays, Vertigo is really, really bad.

SunPayus

SunPayus is another player who’s not a fan of Vertigo. He finds it awkward and uninteresting, without any redeeming qualities that make it fun to play.

The worst map is Vertigo, still. I think Vertigo just isn't good, it's boring and it's weird.

Brollan

Brollan’s team usually avoids Anubis altogether, but if he has to pick, Dust2 is his least favourite. He has his reasons, too, mentioning the frustrating B site setup, especially with the Doors that often leave players exposed.

We perma-ban Anubis so I could say that, but outside of that I think Dust2. We play a different Dust2 to how the Swedish scene does, so I'm more comfortable now, but I just don't like that you need to cross Doors to get to the B site.

mezii

Mezii has little patience for Vertigo, which he calls a “hate” map. Even with updates, the core of the map remains the same to him, making it feel repetitive and frustrating, especially for a Counter-Terrorist player on the B bombsite.

Vertigo, for sure, I hate the map. I wanted it out before and even now with the changes, it's a bit more fresh, but it still feels like it plays out the same with spamming smokes and the same things go on and on. I don't find it very enjoyable to play. I know the UK scene won't like that, but I have to be honest, Vertigo is just one of those maps. I play B bombsite on CT side as well and it's the worst bombsite in the world.

This map pool sucks

The big conclusion we can draw from asking CS pros for their least favourite map is that right now, the map pool sucks.

Although Dust2 got the most votes, the votes against Vertigo were incredibly passionate, which says a lot about how much people actually dislike the map. And, to be honest, both of those are fair, Dust2 never needed to return and Vertigo is terrible, so we hope Valve do something drastic soon.