CS:GO Riptide Update: Weapon Balance, Dust 2 Changes, and More

Besides launching the new Operation Riptide for CS:GO, VALVE have also released a major update featuring adjustments to game modes, weapon balance, maps, and more.

The update introduces multiple new ways to play the game. Now it is possible to create a private Premier match on official servers via a Queue Code that can be generated and shared to friends. Members of Steam Groups can also utilize this feature to play with each other. The developers have also added another option to the Competitive mode – now you can select to play its shorter version of 16 rounds. On top of that, now there are also multiple types of Deathmatch – “Team vs Team”, “Free For All”, and “Classic”.

The Demolition and Arms Race modes have also been adjusted. In Demolition, the number of rounds has been reduced to 10; the players no longer swap teams mid-game. Meanwhile in Arms Race players now receive a health-shot after three kills. In both modes, the developers also adjusted weapon progression.

Among the biggest gameplay changes is that now players can drop grenades just like weapons. Deagle now deals less body damage, while M4A1-S – more. Meanwhile, the price of Dual Elites has been reduced to $300. Besides that, Riot Shield is now available to CTs in Casual Hostage games.

As for the maps, the developers have introduced a small but important change to Dust II – now, it is impossible to see the middle gate from the T base. Besides that, the developers have improved visibility into B back site from upper tunnels. At Inferno, the gate at top of banana is now solid.

The developers have also adjusted the list of maps available in the matchmaking. The following maps are no longer available: Grind, Mocha, Pitstop, Calavera, Frostbite. Meanwhile Basalt and Insertion II have been added to Competitive, Casual, and Deathmatch. The list of Wingman maps now also includes Ravine and Extraction, while Danger Zone now can also be played at County.