Counter-Strike 2 launches the second season of Premier, and players can expect significant changes. The main highlight is the return of the legendary Train map, along with weapon balance adjustments. Additionally, Valve has introduced a new reward system for participating in Premier ranked matches.

What Changed

The second season of Premier will last until the conclusion of BLAST.tv Austin Major, with the main reward being the Premier Season Two Medal. Those who meet several conditions will receive this medal: having a clean account, playing and winning 25 Premier matches, and maintaining an active CS Rating until the season ends. An interesting feature of the medal will be its color, which will depend on the highest player rating in the season, and the number of stripes on the medal will reflect the number of victories (one for every 25, with a maximum of five).

Moreover, every participant of the first season who obtained a CS Rating will receive a commemorative medal with detailed season statistics. However, before the start of the second season, all player ratings were recalculated, and now it is necessary to play 10 matches to establish it anew.

Return of Train and Map Changes

The most notable change of the season is the removal of Vertigo from the active map pool and the return of Train. This legendary competitive map pool will be the site for professional matches and regular players alike. Small fixes have been made to the map, including the removal of one boost corner at site A and resolving lighting issues.

Weapon Balance Adjustments

Valve also made changes to the economy and weapon balance:

• The M4A4 now costs $2,900, matching the price of the M4A1-S.
• The FAMAS received improved accuracy and a reduced price of $1,950, which might alter force-buy round strategies.
• The MP9, MP5-SD, and MP7 are now less accurate when crouching, reducing their effectiveness in close combat.
• The AUG and SG scopes have become more convenient for long-distance shooting, with the aim dot becoming brighter for better visibility.

Interface Improvements and Technical Fixes

• A new dynamic radar zoom option has been introduced, adjusting the scale based on the location of teammates and other key elements.
• The brightness of the planted bomb on the interface has been increased for better visibility.
• The grenade list in spectator mode now follows the same order as weapon selection.
• A bug allowing the R8 Revolver to be sold after firing in secondary mode has been fixed.
• The demo playback system has been improved: files can now be played even if they were damaged or recorded during a live match.

Valve continues to work actively on CS2, and this update is one of the most significant changes recently. The return of Train will add freshness to the competitive scene, changes in weaponry will impact team economy, and the revamped reward system may make the Premier mode more popular.