05.03.2026 Update for CS2

Without giving it any official name, Valve released a new update on March 5, 2026. A lot of players will probably call it the “Inferno Update,” as developers almost removed the Graveyard on the A Bomb Site, significantly changing how that part of the map plays. But there is more, as two community maps were also upgraded, map developers received new tools, and the trading rules were loosened a bit. So, let’s go step-by-step.

Changes on Inferno

Veteran players will probably remember that there was no Graveyard on the Inferno map in the CS 1.6 version, which allowed A Site rushes either through Short or Apps be more effective. Of course, the game has changed a lot since then, especially with utility like Molotovs making it easier to stop rushing opponents. Still, players who tried to lurk or open the site from the Apartments had to deal with too many angles.

Probably, keeping this idea in mind, developers decided to widen the Balcony, giving more space for the attacking side. The railings are still there, though, which will make A Apps rushes not so effective, but it can be the reference for the 1.6 version, where they were an obstacle for the offense.

A slight additional change on Inferno includes a fixed clipping of the models near the small window on the Second Mid Balcony. And, most importantly, the way chickens tilt while moving was corrected too, although that change applies to all maps, not just Inferno.

Updates for Warden and Sanctum Maps

Valve also rolled out multiple updates for Warden and Sanctum, the two community-made maps currently in Competitive and Wingman. Over the past two months, their creators have been steadily fixing a wide range of issues, including clipping problems, collision bugs, background optimization, awkward angles, place names, and more. Now, Valve has pushed those improvements live to make the overall experience smoother.

Renewed Trading Rules

Owners of knives and Covert items can relax, as these trading changes do not break the system as the previous ones did. Thus, players can now continue using the listed items in their inventories and matches, although they still cannot modify them by adding or removing stickers or charms while the items are up for trade. Also, the Terminal max offer limit will now automatically reduce the displayed amount to exactly what the seller needs, which should make life easier for traders.

New Options for Map Developers

There is no need to dive into every single Map Scripting change here, since many of them are fairly technical and not especially relevant to the average player. What matters is that the new options and bug fixes should help map developers create new content and polish older maps more efficiently.