CS2 gets Arms Race mode, new maps, skin case and more

Valve has shocked and surprised many Counter-Strike 2 fans with the game’s first big update, out of the blue, without any warning. On Wednesday, 7 February 2024, almost as if it were an early Valentine’s Day gift, Valve dropped the “A Call To Arms” update! Here’s what you need to know.

CS2 Call To Arms Update details

So, first up, the fantastic Arms Race mode has been released in CS2 alongside the Baggage and Shoots maps. That’s only the tip of the iceberg, however, as Valve also unleashed a brand-new knife (Kukri), as well as a Kilowatt, a sticker capture, custom sticker placements, and a whole bunch of fixes/changes.

The download weighs in at roughly 8 GB for the CS2 Call to Arms update, and we are excited to report the new features are working fantastically well. Check out the highlights below.

Arms Race Has Returned!

Grab your guns and brace yourself for a chaotic race to the top. Get two kills with each weapon to reach the final stage, or steal your opponents’ progress with your knife (or now with the Zeus)! Work your way up to the knife stage and earn the final kill to secure the win. Go! Go! Go!

Custom Sticker Placement

Now’s your chance to create the perfect craft. Stickers are no longer restricted to a few preset positions—just drag and drop (and even rotate) to get your placement just right. And all weapons now support up to five stickers, so get creative!

The Kilowatt Case

CS2’s first weapon case! Featuring 17 community-designed weapon finishes and the all-new Kukri knife, the Kilowatt Case also introduces a shocking new entry to your loadout options. You’ll be stunned when you see it.

Kukri Knife

Introducing the Kukri knife, now available as a rare special item in the Kilowatt case. Used in traditional rituals such as weddings or stabbings, the Kukri knife features the twelve original knife finishes.

Zeus x27

In addition to getting its first weapon finish in the Kilowatt Case, the Zeus is getting a few other upgrades. It now supports name tags and stickers, and recharges in 30 seconds in all game modes.

Stickers and Music Kits

The weapon case isn’t the only new content dropping today. We’re excited to introduce the Ambush Sticker Capsule (featuring 21 community-created stickers) and the NIGHTMODE Music Kit Box (featuring six new Music Kits). Both are now available for purchase in-game.

XP Overload

When you have earned all of the normal weekly XP and have entered reduced XP gain, you’ll get something to show for it—an XP Overload icon will appear next to your name in your profile, the scoreboard, and kill-feed—and you’ll have at least one week to show it off. For every week you keep your XP-earning streak alive, your XP Overload icon will upgrade.

The Agony of Defeat

Let’s face it, losing a match isn’t something to celebrate. Agents with unique end-of-match animations now express both the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

If you want to take a look at the finer details, then check out the full CS2 Call To Arms update patch notes.

Header image via Valve.