Valve is bringing Cache back to CS2, but Premier will have to wait

Valve will add Cache back to Counter-Strike 2 in the April 29 update, returning the classic map to Casual, Deathmatch, Competitive, and Retakes after years away from the regular rotation.

The map was originally created by Shawn “FMPONE” Snelling, and Valve said in its Steam announcement, “Welcome back, Cache,” with a reminder for players to clear Forklift before taking a fight. The return also marks a full overhaul from Valve after Cache left the pool in 2019 and later sat out the active map lineup for years.

A community remake of Cache had already shown up at ESL One New York 2019’s showmatch, but it never made its way into the Active Duty Map Pool. The map also ran into performance problems because of the thick foliage across the layout, which is part of why this new version looks much cleaner and far easier to read at a glance.

Valve bought the map outright from FMPONE in 2025, which set the stage for this rework. The April 29 update will still leave Cache out of Premier and the pro map pool for now, with that change expected after the IEM Cologne Major 2026.

Dust2, Office, and knife animations are also getting touched up

Cache is the headline, but it is not the only change arriving with the update. Dust2 will get the Xbox cover adjustment that briefly appeared earlier in March, giving players a new angle for A Short, and Valve said in the Steam update notes that the tweak was “on purpose this time.”

Office will also see a small collision fix around the tarps near CT spawn, while Stronghold and Poseidon will move to their latest Workshop versions. Valve is also updating some AnimGraph 2 knife animations for the Talon and Karambit, alongside a few other bug fixes across the game.

Cache’s return should give CS2 players plenty to test once the patch lands, especially if the classic routes and utility lineups come back the way long-time players remember them. Tell us what you think in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram.

Counter-Strike 2

Developed by Valve

For over two decades, Counter-Strike has offered an elite competitive experience, one shaped by millions of players from across the globe. And now the next chapter in the CS story is about to begin. This is Counter-Strike 2.

A free upgrade to CS:GO, Counter-Strike 2 marks the largest technical leap in Counter-Strike’s history. Built on the Source 2 engine, Counter-Strike 2 is modernized with realistic physically-based rendering, state of the art networking, and upgraded Community Workshop tools.

• Genre: Shooter, Tactical
• Platforms: Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows)
• Modes: Single player, Multiplayer
• Release: 2023-09-27
• Publisher: Valve
• Age Rating: PEGI 18 / GRAC 19+ / USK 18 / CERO Z / ESRB M / CLASS_IND 18 / ACB R 18+
• IGDB Rating: 67.5/100

Steam Official Site