Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and its successor Counter-Strike 2 became the favorite shooters of millions of players around the world. It must be said that part of this fame was brought to them by the release of various operations. Operations are time-limited events that bring new missions, maps, skins, and other interesting content to the game that are available through an operation pass. Players can complete missions, earning rewards such as unique weapon skins and operation coins. This structure allows the game to be fun and constantly evolving. In this guide, you’ll explore the list of operations, discover their features and the most popular skins from these operations. Let’s get started!
A Journey Through All CS Operations
Operation Payback
Maps: 4 Hostage Rescue and 3 Bomb Defusal
Launched in April 2013, Operation Payback was the first of many CS operations. It introduced seven community-created maps and a new form of currency called “Operation Payback Coins” which had three levels: bronze, silver and gold. These coins could be upgraded by completing missions. A player had to spend 10 hours in the game to get a silver coin and 50 to get a gold one.
Maps: 2 Hostage Rescue and 8 Bomb Defusal
Following the success of Operation Payback, Operation Bravo was released in September 2013. It featured an expanded map pool and more challenging missions. This operation presented a collection of skins for Counter-Strike. To get the gold coin you now had to spend 30 hours in the game. Notable skins from Operation Bravo include:
AK-47 | Fire Serpent
SCAR-20 | Emerald
Maps: 4 Hostage Rescue and 4 Bomb Defusal
Operation Phoenix, launched in February 2014, continued the trend with eight new maps and a series of missions that offered Phoenix Coins as rewards. Popular skins from this operation are:
AWP | Asiimov
AK-47 | Redline
USP-S | Guardian
Maps: 2 Hostage Rescue and 4 Bomb Defusal
In July 2014, Operation Breakout brought six new maps and introduced the concept of mission drops. Coins were now only available for completed missions: 5 for silver and 10 for gold. The most popular skins in this operation are:
AWP | Dragon Lore
M4A1-S | Cyrex
Desert Eagle | Conspiracy
Maps: 2 Hostage Rescue and 5 Bomb Defusal
Operation Vanguard, released in November 2014, introduced new gameplay elements such as cooperative missions and a campaign system. The coin system changed: now you had to earn stars (3 for silver and 4 for gold) instead by completing campaign missions. The most desired skins included:
AK-47 | Wasteland Rebel
P2000 | Fire Elemental
M4A4 | Griffin
Maps: 1 Hostage Rescue and 5 Bomb Defusal
Operation Bloodhound, launched in May 2015, continued the campaign system with new challenges and maps. Now 9 stars were required for Silver and 14 for Gold. Popular skins from this operation are:
AK-47 | Aquamarine Revenge
AWP | Hyper Beast
M4A1-S | Hot Rod
Maps: 1 Hostage Rescue, 6 Bomb Defusal and 1 Co-op
In February 2016, Operation Wildfire brought seven new maps and the Wildfire Campaign. It added a new version of Nuke. Players coveted skins like:
AK-47 | Fuel Injector
AWP | Elite Build
Desert Eagle | Kumicho Dragon
Maps: 2 Hostage Rescue, 5 Bomb Defusal, 1 Wingman and 1 Flying Scoutsman
Operation Hydra, launched in May 2017, was unique with its introduction of special event game modes. This operation added a Diamond Coin: 5 stars for Silver, 18 stars for Gold and 25 stars for Diamond. The most popular skins included:
M4A1-S | Mecha Industries
Five-SeveN | Hyper Beast
AK-47 | Orbit Mk01
Maps: 1 Bomb Defusal, 1 Danger Zone and 1 Flying Scoutsman
After a two-year break, Operation Shattered Web was released in November 2019, bringing agents, graffiti, and new skins like:
AWP | The Prince
Tec-9 | Decimator
AK-47 | Wild Lotus
Maps: 2 Bomb Defusal, 1 Danger Zone, 2 Wingman, 2 Co-op and 1 Hostage Rescue
In December 2020, Operation Broken Fang introduced a new competitive mode and weekly missions. Players earned stars by completing weekly missions. Top skins from this operation were:
M4A1-S | Printstream
AK-47 | Panthera onca
Glock-18 | Neo-Noir
Maps: 2 Wingman, 1 Bomb Defusal, 1 Hostage Rescue and 1 Danger Zone
Operation Riptide, released in September 2021, offered new missions and updated gameplay mechanics. As the last CS operation before transitioning to CS2, Operation Riptide was significant for many players. It capped off an era of continuous innovation and content updates, making it a memorable part of the counter strike operations history. Players cherished skins such as:
Desert Eagle | Ocean Drive
M4A4 | Red DDPAT
M4A1-S | Imminent Danger
New CS2 Operations: What to Expect
Recent data mining efforts have revealed some exciting potential updates that could be coming with a new CS2 operation. Although Valve has yet to officially confirm these features, the leaks suggest a significant content drop that could introduce a variety of new in-game cosmetics and gameplay elements. Here’s what we might expect:
- Keychains: One of the most talked-about potential additions is weapon keychains. These small, customizable items could be attached to your weapons, adding a personal touch to your gear.
- Customizable Agent Skins: Another exciting prospect is the ability to customize agent skins in a much more detailed way than before. This could include options to change clothing, headgear, and other accessories, allowing players to create a truly unique in-game character.
- Colored Agents: Alongside customization, the leaks suggest that players might soon be able to choose different colors for their agents. This feature could offer both aesthetic diversity and strategic advantages, depending on how players choose to blend in or stand out during matches.
- Potential New Maps and Modes: Beyond cosmetics, the data mining hints at new maps being in development, possibly tied to the operation’s storyline or theme. These could include revamped versions of classic maps like Cobblestone or entirely new environments. Additionally, new game modes or challenges might be introduced, offering fresh gameplay experiences.
While Valve has yet to officially confirm these details, the data mining hints at some exciting changes on the horizon that will likely keep players engaged and eager for more.
The Ever-Evolving CS Operation List
The CS2 operation list is a testament to Valve’s commitment to keeping Counter-Strike fresh and engaging. Each operation not only introduced new maps and missions but also enriched the game’s ecosystem with unique skins and rewards. The last CS operation, Riptide, marked a significant milestone, showcasing the game’s evolution over the years.
With each operation, players are given new reasons to return to the game, ensuring that CS2 remains at the forefront of competitive gaming. Whether you’re reminiscing about the early days of Operation Payback or eagerly anticipating the next update, the complete list of all CS operations highlights the dynamic nature of the Counter-Strike series.