CS2 UPDATE: New Collection, Charms, Operation Armory and More

On the night of October 3, Valve rolled out a significant update for Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), introducing various changes that have quickly become a hot topic in the community. While players were eagerly waiting for the launch of the first CS2 operation, this update instead delivered a mix of long-requested features and surprising improvements, sparking a lively debate among players.

What’s New: Key Highlights from the Update

Trade and Inventory Adjustments

The latest update introduces several adjustments to the way items are handled and traded:

• A seven-day trading restriction is now applied to all items purchased through the in-game store, Steam market, or trade offers.
• Players can now preview stickers, patches, and charms on their inventory items before purchasing or applying them.
• The option to delete weapon cases from the inventory has been removed.
• A new slider for customizing the wear level of stickers has been added, allowing players to choose how much they want to scrape their stickers.
• Players can instantly remove stickers from weapons, alongside the new scraping mechanic.

These updates give players more control over their inventory, providing more customization options and a smoother user experience when managing their items.

Weapon Charms Finally Arrive

One of the most talked-about features in this update is the long-awaited introduction of weapon charms. Charms, which have been a staple in games like Valorant, are now available in CS2. Players can attach these decorative items to their weapons, adding a new layer of personalization to their loadouts. Surprisingly, charms can also be attached to non-standard items, such as the C4 bomb.

The introduction of charms is expected to have a big impact on the in-game economy, particularly on the Steam marketplace. Initially, these items may command high prices due to their novelty, but as more charms become available and the hype settles, prices are likely to stabilize.

Character Animations and Movement Fixes

Valve also focused on improving character animations in this update, addressing long-standing complaints about how agents move in the game. The improvements include:

• Smoother running, walking, and crouching animations.
• Adjusted leg movement while climbing ladders, making character movement more lifelike.
• Fixes to awkward character poses during jumping or falling.

A major issue that was fixed relates to the "Michael Jackson peek," where character legs would splay out unnaturally during strafing. The updated animations now look more polished, closely resembling the movement style players loved in CSGO.

The Armory Event: New Skins and Battle Pass

In addition to gameplay and customization changes, the update also introduced the new "Armory" event, featuring three fresh skin collections: "Overpass 2024," "Gallery," and "Sports and Leisure." These skins are available through the purchase of a battle pass, which costs $15.99, allowing players to unlock and upgrade them over time. Up to five battle passes can be purchased and leveled up simultaneously.

Is "Armory" the New CS2 Operation?

The release of "Armory" has stirred speculation about whether it marks the beginning of a new operation in CS2. Some players point to the scale of the content—new skins, a battle pass, and themed missions—as evidence that it could be considered an operation. However, the absence of traditional features like community-made maps, weekly missions, and an exclusive operation medal leaves others questioning its official status.

For now, "Armory" seems to function more as a limited-time event focused on new skins and customization options rather than a fully-fledged operation. However, the depth of content is enough to keep players engaged for the foreseeable future.

Conclusion

Valve's October 3 update for CS2 brought a wealth of new content, from long-awaited features like weapon charms to significant animation improvements. Although players were expecting the arrival of the first operation, the "Armory" event and new skins offer plenty to keep fans busy. The community's response may be divided, but we got what we got:).