When Train will be added to Premier and pro map pool in CS2. When Valve will remove Vertigo

Update: Train will replace Vertigo between January 27 and February 2 with the start of the second season. Check the article below for more details.

Original text: On January 6, 2025, Valve officially announced the upcoming replacement of Vertigo in the CS2 Premier map pool. The development team confirmed Train will take its position sometime before the BLAST Major Austin tournament. While the exact deployment date remains unconfirmed, competitive intelligence suggests several potential windows for the map’s integration into Active Duty rotation.

Following the official announcement, prominent professional players including Ilya “m0NESY” Osipov and other Russian esports athletes revealed that the upcoming BLAST Bounty Spring 2025 competition will feature Train in its map selection. The tournament’s official information portal currently doesn’t display the complete map pool details. If these insider reports prove accurate, competitive spectators could witness professional-level Train gameplay starting January 14, coinciding with the closed qualifier commencement.

However, professional tournament adoption doesn’t automatically guarantee Premier mode implementation before these dates. Tournament organizers maintain flexibility in map pool selection when conducting Valve Regional Standings (VRS) sanctioned events. BLAST could potentially opt to include Train instead of Vertigo even preceding the official rotation timeline, particularly following Valve’s confirmation of its inclusion for their upcoming Major championship. Considering these factors, significant probability exists for Train’s arrival between January 7 and 14. Thursday (January 9) represents the most probable update day based on established weekly patch deployment rhythms.

The transition from Vertigo to Train introduces substantial strategic implications for both casual and professional players. Train’s classic layout emphasizes precise smoke executions, strategic positioning in connector areas, and coordinated team pushes through bombsite approaches. Unlike Vertigo’s vertical combat dynamics, Train requires refined crosshair placement discipline and methodical site execution strategies. Teams should prioritize learning key smoke lineups for A site upper and lower bombs, while developing effective retake scenarios for both planting locations.

Common adaptation mistakes include over-aggressive pushes through ivy corridor and insufficient map control in connector areas. Advanced players should focus on mastering pop-flashes for aggressive pushes and developing comprehensive eco-round strategies that leverage Train’s unique chokepoint advantages. For comprehensive strategic guidance, consult our Complete Guide to competitive map mastery.

BLAST Bounty Spring 2025 closed qualification matches will occur from January 14 through 19. The initial qualification phase will be conducted through online platforms, while the main championship event transitions to LAN environment in Copenhagen spanning January 23 to 26. The tournament organizer will implement an innovative competitive format, essentially functioning as a single-elimination bracket playoff system, with participating teams undergoing re-seeding procedures following each competitive stage.

This format innovation introduces additional strategic complexity, requiring teams to adapt their preparation methods and in-game decision-making processes. The re-seeding mechanism ensures competitive integrity while maintaining tournament excitement throughout each progression phase. For weapon-specific strategies on the new map, explore our Weapons Unlock guide for optimal loadout configurations.

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