Valve has made some changes to the game, so if we’re not careful, we could still be blown to bits by the explosion.
Even small changes can have huge consequences in Counter-Strike 2. There aren’t many games in which the introduction of smoke grenades that fill the entire area is considered a major new feature. However, in the game’s intense battles, real 3D smoke cover can change the outcome of the game. With the arrival of Season 5, Valve implemented another small yet significant change. They altered how the bomb works, giving players a better chance of survival after the explosion.
When the bomb explodes, a devastating shockwave spreads from the bomb site across the map. This doesn’t make much of a difference if you’re standing close to the bomb; you’ll die either way. However, Valve explains that the shockwave dissipates at corners and doesn’t penetrate walls. With clever positioning, you can survive the explosion and preserve your valuable gear for the next round. But how will you know if your hiding spot will save your life? Valve has thought of that, too. As the bomb counts down, your health bar will flash to indicate how much damage you’ll take at your current position when the explosion occurs. The impact of the shockwave has been pre-calculated for every defusal route, so it will presumably be the same every time.
Although Valve has not yet released any videos showing the new bomb technology in action, Gabe Follower has. The video provides a detailed look at the changes in Season 5, as well as some footage of the shockwave. The video also discusses a new feature currently in closed beta testing: a console command that allows players to detonate grenades remotely by shooting them. We can imagine the chaos such a system would cause in a Counter-Strike match, so it will be interesting to see if Valve decides to make it more widely available. The new season introduces two new weapon and sticker collections: one with an Arabian theme and the other inspired by espionage.
There is also a new map, Cache, which replaced Overpass in the active map pool. Five community-created maps have also been added for various game modes.
