Changes to the Competitive CS:GO Landscape
The competitive CS:GO landscape is about to experience a shift with the return of the iconic de_dust2. The map has undergone a graphical rehaul and slight architectural tweaks, which will help, hurt, or alter the map pools of the teams we see at big offline tournaments. Another map will inevitably be removed to make room for de_dust2. Let’s take a look at how this will impact some of the top teams.
Teams that Benefit from dust2
SK Gaming
SK Gaming had success on the previous version of dust2, but decided to avoid it after being destroyed 16:0 by FNATIC. However, they decided to give the map another go after winning a major to replace cache in their pool. With the addition of dust2, SK Gaming has been able to expand their map pool and establish a solid record on the map, making them a strong contender for best dust2 team.
FaZe
FaZe, one of the most highly skilled teams in Counter-Strike history, will welcome dust2 to their map pool in theory. While they have struggled on cache, another skill-based map, dust2 provides them with more opportunities for success against all opponents in Bo3 play.
Astralis
Dust2 has historically been a difficult map for tactical teams like Astralis. However, the map rewards good team-play and coordination, which plays to Astralis’ strengths. With the return of dust2, Astralis will have another comfort map in their pool, aiding them in Bo3 series.
G2
G2 has one of the best map pools in the game, and dust2 has always been close to their hearts. With a star AWPer like kennyS, dust2 allows G2 to utilize his skills and add another comfort map to their pool.
Skill-based squads
Cloud9 and mousesports, both skill-based squads, are expected to benefit from dust2 returning. The map will provide them with the opportunity to potentially upset stronger teams and expand their map pool.
Teams that Are Hurt by dust2
Virtus.pro
Virtus.pro has always struggled with dust2 and it has been their perma-ban since the seven map pool became standard in CS:GO. Their overall map pool has already been suffering, and the return of dust2 and the possibility of another map leaving the pool makes VP a team wary of the 2018 map pool.
North
North has always found dust2 troublesome, even when they could get wins against top teams. The removal of dust2 from the pool should have made them a stronger team, but their under-performance in big games and shifting bans have prevented them from achieving greater success regardless of the map pool.
What Gets Removed?
Currently, it’s uncertain which map will make way for dust2. A future article will speculate on which maps may be leaving and how that would impact the map pools of top teams.