By teasing the first big update for 2025, Valve has unveiled exciting details about Counter-Strike 2's upcoming second Premier Season, set to kick off later this week.
The update will introduce new content, gameplay changes, and rewards to celebrate the transition from Season 1. It only took Valve 16 months, but this week, Season 1 of CS2's Premier Mode will finally conclude.
Premier Season One Wrap-Up and Commemorative Medals
With Season One drawing to a close, players who earned a CS Rating during the inaugural season will receive a special Premier Season 1 Medal. This medal isn’t just a token - it includes detailed statistics from the season. Players can view their CSR progress, playtime graphs, and map-specific performance stats by clicking on the medal in their inventory.
This reflective tool provides an opportunity to review highs and lows, helping players pinpoint areas for improvement as they gear up for Season 2.
PREMIER SEASON 2 WILL BE RELEASED NEXT WEEK! pic.twitter.com/uqqHuuyksx
— CS2 NEWS (@cs2newsupdate) January 25, 2025
Before Premier Season 2 begins, there will be a single day of downtime for recalibration. Players' CS Ratings will be adjusted based on their Season 1 performance. When Season 2 starts, players must re-establish their CS Rating by winning 10 matches in the new season.
Changes for Season Two: New Map Pool and Weapon Updates
Season 2 will come with notable adjustments:
- Map Rotation: After already being introduced in Pro play, Train makes its comeback in Active Duty, replacing Vertigo in the 7-map-pool.
- Weapon Balancing: The FAMAS receives a much-needed buff, improving its standing and crouching accuracy. Additionally, both the FAMAS and M4A4 will see price reductions, enhancing their viability in competitive matches.
Valve already confirmed that the M4A4 will now be priced at $2900, same as the M4A1-S. The FAMAS will likely drop to about $1800, making it a more viable option, opposed to the meta-MP9, for CT low-buy rounds.
Great question, Erik: https://t.co/rGzpjiuGzf pic.twitter.com/k1uesVqnUC
— CS2 (@CounterStrike) January 25, 2025
Premier Season 2 Medal and Rewards
At the conclusion of Season 2, which will coincide with the BLAST.tv Austin Major in June, qualifying players will earn the Premier Season 2 Medal. This medal reflects each player's achievements:
- Color: Tied to their highest CS Rating during the season.
- Bars: Represent total wins, with one bar awarded for every 25 wins (up to a maximum of five).
Here are Premier Season Medal rarities#cs2 #cs2news #cs2update pic.twitter.com/4VWlADi8Wh
— VideoPower (@VideoPower_cs) January 25, 2025
To earn the medal, players need to meet the following requirements:
- Have an account in good standing.
- Achieve 25 Premier match wins.
- Maintain an active CS Rating by the season's end.
With these updates, Valve aims to keep the competitive scene fresh and exciting. The changes to the weapon meta, the return of Train, and the introduction of new season-long goals are sure to energize the community as players aim for glory in Premier Season 2.
Grab your gear, polish your strats, and prepare for another thrilling season of Counter-Strike 2!