As CS2's first full season comes to a close, many players are beginning to realize that we are approaching almost a full year without CS:GO. However, many of CS2's mysteries remain unsolved, especially given the changes to the game's mechanics and external factors such as team roster changes and a busy tournament schedule ahead.
Backpackbrain did an in-depth analysis and shared their observations on their website, noting a noticeable shift in the CT side of the Nuke map. Whereas in CS:GO in 2023, CTs won roughly 55% of rounds, in CS2 in 2024, that figure has dropped to 51%. Despite this, Nuke was the most popular map in 2024. Previously, it was Inferno and Mirage.
The first factor to consider is the change in pistol rounds won from CT. CS2 has seen a significant drop in these numbers on the Nuke map, which can be attributed to changes in game mechanics such as spades and smoke grenades. Losing a pistol round often entails losing the next round as well, which greatly affects the final results.
Another important aspect is the change in weapon purchases. In CS2, M4A1-S and MP9 are bought more often, while AWP and M4A4 are used less often. These changes are due to the changing economy and the transition to MR12, which forces teams to make compromises: either sacrifice utilities for weapons, or vice versa.
Also worth noting is the impact of the new smoke grenades and their use on Nuke. Bursting smoke to get information has become commonplace, requiring additional resources from CT, putting additional pressure on the economy.
The user summarizes that the switch to MR12 and changes to the economy have significantly affected the balance on the Nuke map, making it more vulnerable to attacking strategies. This leads to the map becoming more popular as teams see it as more equal and less dependent on CT dominance.
In the current environment, Nuke is becoming a map where every team has a chance to win, and the importance of strategic planning and skillful use of resources is coming to the forefront. This is a new reality that all teams will have to adapt to.
Source: Backpackbrain
Comments