CS2: What We Learned From The First Officials On The New Train

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As a dedicated fan, I got an intriguing sneak peek into Train‘s contemporary gameplay style in the thrilling encounter between Falcons and ENCE. The Falcons clinched victory with a score of 16-12, demonstrating their refreshed lineup spearheaded by Nikola “NiKo” Kovač. Yet, delving beyond the final tally, this match provided valuable insights into Train’s current play dynamics.

Focus on the A Bombsite

In competitive Counter-Strike games (CTs), it seems they often choose a defensive strategy with one player on B site (1B) and four on A site (4A). This setup is primarily to protect the A bombsite. Effectively handling early attacks from the enemy, specifically at A Main, is crucial for CT success. The Falcons demonstrated this well by utilizing effective utility and disciplined tactics. Interestingly, ENCE also seemed ready for action right from the start, managing to make some strategic moves at opportune moments.

VAC#BLASTPremier @XKacpersky

— BLAST Premier (@BLASTPremier) January 15, 2025

As a gamer, I’d often hurl twice or thrice HE grenades into A Main, turning it into my signature tactic as Falcons. This move effectively thwarted swift T pushes, giving us the upper hand and keeping our opponents second-guessing. This strategy also laid the foundation for later moves toward A Main or Popdog, veiling our plans and leaving ENCE on tenterhooks.

Vulnerabilities of the A Bombsite

As a dedicated Counter-Strike fan, I’ve found myself grappling with the revamped A bombsite. Its minimal cover makes it tough to defend against strategic T-side attacks, giving the offensive team a clear edge. It seems that the current layout of Train heavily favors the attackers, as evidenced by the consistent success of early T-side pushes.

Some Counter-Terrorist (CT) squads, including Virtus Pro, have started immediately taking control of A Main directly from their spawn points as a strategy. This approach not only provides extra time but also saves utility for effective mid to late round counterattacks where it can be more potent. It’s evident that CT teams are still trying out various methods to address the current imbalance on the map.

Dynamics of the B Bombsite and the Role of Utility

On the B site, the peaceful environment of Brown Halls presents fewer aggressive opportunities for Counter-Terrorists (CTs). However, when taken advantage of, these infrequent risks can significantly impact the game. A typical CT strategy at this location often includes laying a smoke grenade on the stairs within the Brown Halls to boost the confidence of their single B-defender and occasionally set up a surprise attack.

.@somedieyoungCS cleans up for the QUAD #BLASTPremier @ENCE

— BLAST Premier (@BLASTPremier) January 15, 2025

The falcons skillfully employed a tactic repeatedly, utilizing the staircase as smokescreens multiple times to slow down ENCE, before unexpectedly attacking with great force, taking them by surprise.

So far, many teams are primarily deploying their resources on areas known as A Main and Popdog, leaving potential vulnerabilities elsewhere on the map. Consequently, this strategy choice provides chances for innovative T-side tactics and underscores the difficulties Counter-Terrorists encounter in ensuring even distribution of control across the entire map.

Potential Map Changes

It’s still a bit premature to make judgments about this issue. Valve will need to play more matches and gather more data for further analysis. However, some enthusiasts, like former player turned caster Chad “SPUNJ” Burchill, have already begun brainstorming potential adjustments to the redesigned map layout.

How about considering a hypothetical scenario: Suppose we place the T Spawn somewhere near the monkey-with-covered-eyes emoji on a train. In this imagined situation, Ivy might encounter more interactions or events… Let’s weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of such an arrangement.

— Chad Burchill (@SPUNJ) January 16, 2025

As a devoted fan, I find SPUNJ’s concept truly intriguing. It’s captivating to imagine the bustling gameplay in the Ivy-area, which currently lacks the intensity seen in CS:GO’s Train map’s A site. However, some might contend that this was primarily due to the densely packed and concealed nature of the A site back then.

Just like any new map, a train needs time to become well-rounded and competitive among other popular choices. Players are still learning its intricacies, and it’s likely that Valve will make adjustments before the BLAST.tv Austin Major in June. Until then, the gaming community can only anticipate updates that address its existing problems.

Currently, Train’s debut is proving to be enjoyable, while the Falcons’ victory gives us an exciting preview of what the future landscape could hold.

How do you like the new Train so far? What changes would you suggest?

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2025-01-17 13:10