CS2 update, July 9, 2026: Cache returns, C4 explosion reworked

• Premier Season Five has begun
• Added Cache to the Active Duty Map Pool
• Removed Overpass from the Active Duty Map Pool\
• Re-designed effective range and extent of C4 explosion damage on all official defusal-mode maps.
• Damage is now applied according to precomputed simulation values, baked into the compiled map.
• Explosion shockwave damage now rapidly expands from the center of the explosion instead of being applied instantly.
• Fixed case where picking up dropped weapons through the Buy Menu would fail to complete.\
• Added two new weapon collections based on the recent Call to Arms community announcement: Spy Tech + Arabesque
• Added two new sticker collections based on the recent Call to Arms community announcement: Fruits & Vegetables + Auto Racing
• Train 2025 and Sport & Field weapon collections are no longer available in the Armory
• Sugarface 2 and Elemental Craft sticker collections are no longer available in the Armory\
• Updated "Custom Paint Job Extended"
• Added option to include a dedicated overlay mask texture
• Added option to set unique overlay UV randomization separate from albedo UV randomization \
• Reduced the performance cost of showing the scoreboard.
• Fixed a case where material blending effects would disappear when you got too close (e.g. the dirt on the barrels in Inferno Banana).
• Increased sticker rotation precision to allow half-degree increments on application screen.\
• Added Instance.QueueAfterThinks
• Added Instance.OnWeaponDrop
• Added CSWeaponBase.GetOriginalOwner
• Fixed a crash when the name passed to Instance.RegisterCheatCommand collided with an existing command.
• Added file name and line number to errors caught during the CompileModule step of script loading.
• Removed support for deprecated vts assets.\
• Updated engine code to the latest version of Source 2\
• Removed community maps: Warden, Stronghold, Alpine, and Sanctum from all game modes
• Added community maps Boulder, Fachwerk, and Shelter to Competitive, Casual, and Deathmatch modes
• Added community maps Debris and El Dorado to Wingman modeCache
• Various clipping adjustmentsDust II
• Fixed pixel gap Outside Tunnel
• Clipping adjustment Outside TunnelInferno
• Clipping fix to prevent pixel boost at Top of Mid

The update brings significant gameplay and map changes. Cache returns to the Active Duty Map Pool, replacing Overpass, expanding the competitive rotation. The major shift is a complete rework of C4 damage mechanics: explosions now deal damage based on precomputed simulation values, and the shockwave expands from the center instead of applying instantly. This will impact bomb-planting tactics and site defense, especially on densely built maps.

For community server administrators, changes primarily affect maps. Four community maps (Warden, Stronghold, Alpine, Sanctum) are removed from all modes, while three new ones (Boulder, Fachwerk, Shelter) are added to Competitive, Casual, and Deathmatch. Wingman gets Debris and El Dorado. Server owners should verify map compatibility with the update. Script APIs were also updated with new functions (Instance.QueueAfterThinks, Instance.OnWeaponDrop, CSWeaponBase.GetOriginalOwner), enabling plugin developers to expand functionality.

C4 mechanics now require repositioning strategies on maps with angles and cover, particularly on Inferno, Dust II, and Cache, which received clipping fixes. Players must relearn bomb explosion survival, as the shockwave now propagates gradually rather than dealing damage instantly.