All CS2 Operations: Everything You Need to Know

In the past decade, battle passes, seasonal events, and downloadable content have become standard in gaming. Almost every online game now features purchasable events that unlock exclusive items or rare skins. Games have shifted to a free-to-play model supplemented by cosmetic purchases. Popular titles like Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Valorant offer battle passes with new gear, maps, and cosmetics. Counter-Strike follows suit with its own rare CS2 Operations, each bringing new skins, rewards, maps, and occasionally new game modes. If you’re curious about Counter-Strike’s upcoming and existing Operations, read on to explore Valve’s highly anticipated seasonal events.

Players have been asking for new CS2 Operations for a while now, but Valve has not broken silence yet. 

What are CS2 Operations?

A CS:GO/CS2 Operation is essentially a large-scale update that introduces new nonrecurring content into the game. These Operations often include new maps, game modes, missions, and exclusive cosmetic items like skins and stickers. The cool thing about CS2 Operations is that they bring a brand-new case with a dozen of fresh weapon skins, a couple of player models, new maps and other customization items. Operations in CS2 provide an opportunity for Valve to bring purchasable exclusive content while keeping the base game free-to-play. Players have to buy an Operation pass to unlock rewards and loot, including skins, cases, graffiti and other items. 

CS2 Operations enrich players’ experience by adding quality of life features and cosmetics that allow expressing themselves. 

How Do Operations Work in CS2?

CS2 Operations are fairly simple, just like with any other live-service game that implements a battle pass system. Once the update goes live, and you buy and activate an Operation Premium pass, you gain instant access to missions and rewards available at the time. Embark on various missions and challenges to unlock exclusive loot, including skins and cases. As CS2 Operations are time-limited, players have to grind the missions within the duration of the pass in order to get every possible reward. It’s important to complete these events while they’re still active, since purchasing a pass after the Operation has ended won’t unlock any missions or rewards, aside from an Operation coin. Operations usually last up to three months, granting players access to two missions per week.

Last CS:GO and upcoming CS2 operations work similarly to any other live-service game with a battle pass system.

Are CS2 Operations Worth Buying?

It solely depends on your personal preference and your dedication to the game; whether you want to invest a one-time fee for some non-recurring content, including skins, cases, graffiti and many more. Plus, take into consideration that you achieve the rewards for completing the missions within the Operation. If you’re not sure that you can dedicate enough time to the CS2 Operation grind, you might want to hold off the purchase for the time being. However, we know that the fear of missing out is real, and considering that most of the CS:GO Operations were not that expensive, with the latest one being sold for only $5, you’re not really risking much if you decide to pull the trigger on a purchase.

These purchases are valuable if you want to grow your inventory and acquire a few collector’s items.

List of the CS2 Operations

The CS:GO era was kind to us, providing almost a dozen Operation events within eight years. Let’s hope that the Counter-Strike 2 era will be at least as fruitful as its predecessor. As we wait for the first CS2 operation, let’s take a closer look at the CS:GO Operations and see how they enriched our gaming experiences.

Operation Payback

Release date: April 25, 2013

The first-ever CS:GO operation that included seven community-made maps, and the overall design was pretty bare-bones compared to the recent operation events. Operation Payback was more of an attempt at a new format, with no addition of skin cases and missions. 

Operation Bravo

Release date: September 19, 2013

Now that’s where the fun began. Operation Bravo is the first iteration of a full-scale seasonal event with an introduction of a skin collection, available in the Operation Bravo case. Having found the right ingredients for the seasonal event, Valve also introduced missions and more maps to the pool. Three out of ten maps became fan favorite: Cache, Cobblestone and Overpass. Some of the most iconic CS:GO esports moments, including olofmeister’s hot defuse and s1mple’s double no-scope, are forever engrained in the minds of CS:GO fans.

Operation Phoenix

Release date: February 20, 2014

The Phoenix Operation was similar to its predecessor, also introducing a plethora of new maps, but unlike the Operation Bravo, the case drop was available exclusively to pass owners. Well, at least for a few months, until the June 11 update, when the weapon case drop became available for all. This case features some of the most iconic skins like AWP Asiimov and AK-47 Redline.

Operation Breakout

Release date: July 1, 2014 

The fourth operation began on July 1, 2014, and lasted until October 2. This time, Valve changed their approach by implementing fewer maps, but introducing three collections and the Operation Breakout case. The coin progression system was also changed, making players complete additional tasks from a journal. The Cobblestone case within the Operation introduced the legendary AWP Dragon Lore, probably the most recognizable weapon skin in the history of CS:GO. 

Operation Vanguard

Release date: November 11, 2014

Operation Vanguard consisted of seven maps, one of them being the now iconic de_train, a familiar map to all CS 1.6 veterans. Hopefully, Valve and community map creators will find a way to revive it somehow, alongside Cache and Cobblestone. What made the Operation Vanguard special is the implementation of campaigns. A traditional operation-themed case and 6 community maps were also introduced. Hmm, is this where Riot Games drew inspiration for their anti-cheat software?

Operation Bloodhound

Release date: May 26, 2015

Operation Bloodhound marks the addition of Guardian, a brand-new PvE game mode, where players have to fight off hordes of AI enemies in waves. The operation also included six maps and six skin collections. This was also the first time Valve introduced Falchion knife to CS:GO.

Operation Wildfire

Release date: February 17, 2016

Operation Wildfire introduced nine maps including a reworked Nuke, a map begging for an overhaul at the time, and all that for $6. Players could also duke it out on a picturesque Santorini map, one of our personal favorites. A new co-op game missions made the Operation experience much more fun to experience with a buddy. As for the loot, the Operation repeated collections from Operation Bloodhound, aside from a dedicated Operation Wildfire case.

Operation Hydra

Release date: May 23, 2017

Operation Hydra may very well be one of the most significant events in CS:GO history, thanks to the introduction of Wingmanand Flying Scoutsman game modes. Alongside Arms Race, these three game modes embarked the era of War Games in CS:GO. Skin-wise, Operation Hydra marked the return of popular collections such as Cobblestone, Gods & Monsters, Cache. Also, Valve implemented a brand-new Diamond coin, achieved by completing missions and earning 25 stars.

Operation Shattered Web

Release date: November 18, 2019

Players waited for a next event for almost two years and the result was Operation Shattered Web. Despite being one of the most stylish and beautiful CS:GO operations, Shattered Web felt a bit poor compared to previous iterations, as there were no campaign missions this time, and there were only three maps. However, Operation Shattered Web made up for a lackluster map pool with a new battle pass system, alongside some unique skins and stickers in a new collection.

Shattered Web featured a lot of unique community-made skins.

Operation Broken Fang

Release date: December 3, 2020

Operation Broken Fang went for $15 and consisted of eight maps, two new game modes, a brand-new case, stickers, patches, graffiti and three new entirely new collections. The cool thing about this event is that players could choose whichever type of item they could spend their stars on, including stickers, cases, agent skins etc.

A content-rich event with lots of content and a new way to select the rewards. 

Operation Riptide

Release date: September 21, 2021

Riptide is the last operation in a long and fruitful history of CS:GO. This event brought back some of the previous collections, introduced a short competitive mode, added tons of skins and agents and a plethora of new maps. Overall, this is a lovely send-off of our beloved franchise that, hopefully, will set the tone for the upcoming events in Counter-Strike 2.

The last CS:GO Operation that will set the tone for all the upcoming CS2 events. 

How Much Do CS2 Operations Cost?

We can only speculate at this point, because there’s no official information on Valve’s part in regard to new operations and their potential cost. However, looking back on the last two CS:GO operations, it’s safe to assume that they’ll cost $15 or less. Even though the price of an Operation Pass ranges from $5 to $15, it is highly unlikely that Valve will make the next operation pass cheaper than the previous two. 

The cost of a first CS2 Operation is yet to be announced. 

Wrapping Up!

Operations in CS:GO were an integral part of the game, providing fresh content, challenges and rewards, all of which kept players’ interest for months. It is obvious that CS2 needs the same treatment, or even more unique operations with innovative game modes, updated rewards and exquisite skin collections. Although we didn’t get an Operation in time for a Copenhagen Major, we are sure that mad scientists at Valve are preparing something special. Read our blog for insights on upcoming gaming trends and seasonal events.