The CS2 Season 4 update dropped on January 21, 2026, bringing Anubis back to the Active Duty map pool with significant layout changes. But that’s not all — Valve also buffed the SMG meta, overhauled jump mechanics, and added new skin collections. Here’s everything you need to know.
Anubis Map Changes in Season 4
Anubis returns to competitive play, but it’s a different map now. Valve addressed the heavy T-sided balance with the biggest overhaul the map has ever received.
Complete List of Anubis Changes
| Area | Change |
|---|---|
| Mid | Bridge drop moved near Mid Doors |
| Mid Doors | Orientation reversed |
| Connector | New hole added between Connector and Back of B |
| Bombsite A | Crates moved up steps onto Walkway |
| Bombsite A | Scaffolding added to pillar |
How These Changes Affect Gameplay
Bridge & Mid Control:
The old bridge peek has been completely sealed off, but it’s been moved around the corner. This creates new angles — most notably a line of sight from bottom stairs all the way to front house. Players can also boost on this new position, and you can jump up on top of the windows to peek players behind the doors. The CT pillar serves as a reference point for how far back you need to worry about the jump-up angle.
With the reversed doors, CTs won’t have to fight as hard for bridge control, making this overall a CT-sided change — something desperately needed on this T-favored map.
Connector Hole — Major B Site Impact:
The new hole between Connector and Back of B is a massive gameplay change. From T-side, you can throw utility through it — a simple jump throw can drop a molly straight down and burn out the backside of Tetris. CTs can also bank mollies down to burn out connector positions.
This change arguably still favors Ts since it makes B site even harder to hold, but the mid changes should relieve pressure by allowing flank rotations.
A Site Changes:
The crates have been moved to a more favorable CT angle when defending A site, making the duel easier for defenders. The new scaffolding on the pillar can be used for bouncing utility.
If you haven’t played Anubis in a while, brush up on the Anubis smokes — many of your old lineups will need adjustment due to the layout changes.
SMG Buffs: MP7, MP5-SD, and PP-Bizon
The SMG category got meaningful upgrades across three weapons, making eco rounds and anti-eco plays more viable.
MP7 and MP5-SD Changes
- Increased damage — More reliable kills at close and medium range
- Reduced damage falloff — Better performance at distance
- Price reduced by $100 — Now more affordable for eco/force buys
PP-Bizon Price Drop
- Price reduced by $100 — Better value for its 64-round magazine
These changes could shake up the CS2 weapon tier list. The MP7 in particular becomes a stronger choice when you can’t afford a rifle.
Will This Break the MAC-10/MP9 Monopoly?
Currently, the MAC-10 and MP9 dominate the SMG meta. These buffs might finally give the MP7 and MP5-SD a place in the force-buy rotation. It’s worth familiarizing yourself with these weapons again — the increased damage and reduced falloff make them more viable at medium range than before.
Jump Mechanics Overhaul
Valve made significant changes to how jumping and bunny hopping work in CS2:
- Subtick landing precision — Landing time now calculated with subtick accuracy
- Stamina changes — Jumping and landing no longer affect stamina
- Bunnyhop improvements — Jump presses within
sv_bhop_time_windownow properly register - Legacy option — Private servers can restore old behavior with
sv_legacy_jump
These changes affect movement consistency, especially for players using bhop commands in practice. The subtick precision should make bunny hopping feel more responsive.
New Skin Collections: Harlequin & Achroma
Two brand-new weapon collections have been added to the Weekly Care Package drops:
| Collection | Style |
|---|---|
| Harlequin | Colorful, vibrant designs |
| Achroma | Black and white monochrome finishes |
Achroma is perfect if you’re building a minimalist loadout. Pair these new skins with the best cheap CS2 skins for a complete look.
Collections Removed
If you wanted skins from these collections, they’re no longer in the drop pool.
AK-47 Aphrodite — Limited Edition Armory Item
A new limited-time AK-47 skin is available in the Armory: the AK-47 Aphrodite. This Greek goddess-themed skin costs 125 Armory Stars — not cheap, but it looks impressive with its gold styling.
Some players have noted there are already several gold AK skins in the game, but the Aphrodite brings a unique mythological aesthetic. Grab it while it’s available — limited edition items don’t stick around forever.
Looking for other AK options? Check out the best AK-47 skins in the game.
Weapon Material Fidelity Upgrades
Valve increased material fidelity on 15 base weapons, improving how they look in-game:
| Weapons Updated |
|---|
| AK-47, AUG, AWP, Dual Berettas, Desert Eagle |
| Galil AR, MAC-10, MP7, P250, Tec-9 |
| USP-S, PP-Bizon, CZ75-Auto, FAMAS, MP9 |
This means default weapon models look sharper, and skins on these weapons may appear more detailed due to improved base textures.
New Community Maps
The map rotation received a refresh with five visually stunning community maps:
Competitive Maps
| Map | Setting | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Warden | Alcatraz Prison, San Francisco | You can see the Golden Gate Bridge in the background — one of the coolest community map concepts ever |
| Stronghold | Gibraltar | WWII bunkers mixed with colonial ruins, similar Cobblestone museum aesthetic |
| Alpine | Ski Resort (Hostage Rescue) | Snow-covered hostage map with cozy lodge vibes |
Wingman Maps
| Map | Setting | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sanctum | Ancient Temple with Volcano | Vibrant jungle temple with an impressive volcano backdrop |
| Poseidon | Greek Island Pool Resort | Luxurious pool area with a desert Counter-Strike makeover |
The map makers have pushed the Source 2 engine limits to create something truly unique and creative with each of these maps.
Removed Maps
- Golden, Palacio, Agency, Rooftop
Audio Improvements
Sound got some love in this update too:
- Reduced audio latency — More responsive feedback
- Higher fidelity knife sounds — Draw and inspect sounds improved
- Unique knife impact sounds — Different sounds for primary/alt fire and front/rear attacks
- Better ambient transitions — Sounds no longer restart when moving between zones
Competitive Rank Reset
Valve adjusted the underlying matchmaking rank values for Competitive mode. Your existing per-map Skill Groups have been expired and will display again after you earn the required wins.
If you’re grinding back your rank, read our guide on how to rank up in CS2 for tips.
Full Patch Notes Summary
Premier:
- Season 4 has begun
- Anubis added to Active Duty
- Train removed from Active Duty
Gameplay:
- MP7/MP5-SD damage increased, price reduced $100
- PP-Bizon price reduced $100
- Jump mechanics overhauled with subtick precision
Weekly Care Package:
- Added: Harlequin, Achroma collections
- Removed: Safehouse, Dust 2, 2018 Nuke, 2018 Inferno
Armory:
- AK-47 Aphrodite limited edition added
Maps:
- Added: Warden, Stronghold, Alpine (Comp), Sanctum, Poseidon (Wingman)
- Removed: Golden, Palacio, Agency, Rooftop
- Major Anubis layout changes
Season 4 is shaping up to be one of the most impactful updates yet. Between the Anubis overhaul, SMG buffs, and new skin drops, there’s plenty to explore. Check the CS2 update log for future patches, and browse cs2.ad to track skin prices.
