- Siemka
Article
17:38, 07.03.2025

The Counter-Strike 2 map pool has always been a hot topic in the community. Every time a new map replaces an old one, players and teams react differently. Some welcome the change, while others struggle to adapt. With the recent addition of Train and the removal of Vertigo, we asked pro players for their opinions on whether the current seven-map system should be expanded or changed.
Is the current map poolgood enough?
Most pros believe that seven maps are enough. Jonathan "EliGE" Jablonowski was very clear on this: "No, seven maps are enough." The idea is that too many maps would make it harder for teams to practice and prepare properly. A wider map pool could spread teams too thin, reducing the quality of gameplay at the highest level.

Rafael "saffee" Costa also agreed that the map pool is fine as it is, though he suggested some small tweaks: "Maybe some tweaks, like adjusting Mirage, but overall, it's good." Mirage has been in the pool for a long time, and some believe it needs some updates to stay fresh.
However, not everyone shares this opinion. Rodrigo "biguzera" Bittencourt was very direct in his response: "It’s the worst map pool ever. Vertigo was one of our best maps, and I hate Train. For me, it’s the worst map. Maybe I just hate some of the current maps, but I need to adapt." Losing a map that your team is strong on can be frustrating, especially when its replacement doesn't fit your playstyle.
Train vs. Vertigo – A controversial swap
The removal of Vertigo and the return of Train was one of the biggest changes in the recent CS2 updates. Martin "stavn" Lund supported this decision: "I think the recent addition of Train was good. Some maps need minor fixes, but it was time for Vertigo to go, even though we were strong on it."
On the other hand, Ali "Wicadia" Haydar Yalçın had mixed feelings about the change: "As a team, we really like Vertigo. Train is still fine for us. Maybe they should remove Mirage and add Cache or bring back Cobblestone." It seems that while some teams liked Train, others still miss Vertigo and would rather see different changes.


What maps should be added next?
Since Train is back, the big question is: what map should come next? The pros had different answers. saffee suggested Tuscan or Cache: "Tuscan would be great. Maybe Cache as well. The Train update was good." Many players have fond memories of Tuscan, a classic map that hasn’t been in the active pool for a long time.
Stavn had a different idea: "I’d bring back Overpass—I really like it. Maybe Cache as well." Overpass was a staple in the competitive scene for years, and its removal left many fans disappointed.
EliGE also backed Cache but wasn’t sure if it should replace Train: "Train isn’t great. I’d bring back Cache, though not necessarily in place of Train."

Should Valve add more than seven maps?
While most pros agree that seven maps are enough, others believe that having more variety could be beneficial. Adding more maps could make tournaments more unpredictable and allow for different playstyles to shine. However, it would also mean teams need to prepare for more maps, which could be challenging.
The debate over the CS2 map pool will never end. Some players want new maps, while others want to keep the current system. The recent changes have brought both excitement and frustration, and it will be interesting to see what Valve does next. Will they add Tuscan, Cache, or even bring back Cobblestone? Only time will tell.
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