Goodbye Season 2, hello Season 3! Valve have just released an update for CS2 that turns the page on the last Premier season, and with it comes some significant changes to both map pool, some in-game mechanics, as well as skins trading.
Premier Season 3
The Premier seasonal grind is back on. Just like in Seasons One and Two, your highest CS Rating earned during the season determines the color of your Season Three Medal. For the grinders out there, every 25 Premier wins adds a bar to your medal. You can earn up to 5 bars.
To be eligible:
- Your account must be in good standing.
- You’ll need 25 wins in Premier this season.
- Your CS Rating must be active when the season ends.
Map Pool Changes: Overpass In, Anubis Out
In what will be a welcome (or devastating) change, depending on who you ask, Overpass returns to the Active Duty Map Pool for Season Three, while Anubis rotates out.
Gameplay Tweaks
Valve have made some pretty substantial changes to a key grenade, SMG, and the economy as a whole.
Incendiary grenades spread faster, making them more effective at halting rushes and taking map control.
The MP9 gets a nerf: its spray pattern is harder to manage, and jumping accuracy has taken a hit. Expect fewer mid-air headshots from aggressive CTs.
CT economy gets a rework: now, every T eliminated gives the CT side a shared team reward, even if they lose the round. This should smooth out some of the harsher loss streaks and allow for more consistent buys.
These adjustments are aimed at balancing aggression and economic momentum — particularly for CT sides that often found themselves strapped for cash after a few lost rounds.
More trade protections added
Valve has also introduced a new Trade Reversal Tool, which allows players to reverse all Counter-Strike item trades made in the last 7 days if their account was compromised or they were scammed.
You’ll find this feature under Trade History on your Steam account. While hopefully you’ll never need it, it’s a welcome step toward securing valuable in-game items from malicious actors. If you’re curious about the fine print, Valve has a full FAQ available.
Want to hit the ground running this season? With Refrag, it’s never been easier to learn new nades for Overpass in NADR and sharpen your skills as an anchor on B — the grind starts here.
