Valve has announced the launch of the third Premier Season for its popular shooter, Counter-Strike. With the new season, players can expect a rank reset, a major change to the map pool, and various tweaks to game mechanics. Additionally, a new security feature has been added to help protect player inventories.
Active Duty Map Pool Updated: Overpass In, Anubis Out
One of the most significant changes this season is the shake-up in the Active Duty Map Pool. Overpass, a long-time staple of competitive CS:GO, has been reintroduced with the latest update. In its place, Anubis, which has been in the pool since November 2022, has been removed from the rotation. This move marks the first change to the competitive map pool since the beginning of the year. As an Aurora fan, this change is a bit of a letdown. Anubis was always our best map, and our run on it earlier this year was incredible.
Gameplay-Defining Changes
Season Three doesn’t just alter the map pool; it also introduces some key updates that affect the game’s core dynamics:
- Economy Update: The Counter-Terrorist (CT) side has received a new economic adjustment. Now, win or lose, CTs will receive a shared team reward of $50 for each Terrorist (T) player eliminated in the round. This change is aimed at balancing the CT economy, especially during close losses.
- Weapon and Equipment Adjustments:
- Incendiary Grenade: The fire from the CT’s Incendiary Grenade now spreads faster, allowing for more effective area denial against rushing Ts.
- MP9: The popular SMG, the MP9, has been nerfed. Its recoil is now harder to control, and its jumping accuracy has been significantly reduced.
New Security Measure: Trade Reversals
Valve has rolled out a new feature called “Trade Protected Items” to enhance the security of player accounts and their valuable inventories. With this system, users who lose control of their account or fall victim to a scam can reverse all Counter-Strike item trades made within the last 7 days. This feature can be accessed from the “Trade History” page on their Steam account.
The Grind for the Season Three Medal Begins
As with every season, players will once again be grinding to earn a Season Three medal. The color of the medal will correspond to the highest CS Rating achieved during the season, and bars will be added for every 25 Premier match wins. To be eligible, you’ll need an account in good standing, 25 Premier match wins, and an active CS Rating at the end of the season.
When Will Season 3 End?
Valve hasn’t officially announced an end date for the season. Season 1 ran from September 27, 2023, to January 29, 2025—lasting about a year and a half. Season 2, in contrast, lasted for six months. It’s likely that Valve is trying to align the seasons with the Majors. Therefore, I speculate that the season will conclude after the Budapest Major, likely around late December 2025 or early January 2026.