Since the release of Counter-Strike 2, many players have been eagerly waiting for Cache to make its return. FMPONE kept the hype alive by sharing screenshots from different areas of the map, but it wasn’t until recently that it became available on Steam Workshop. Today, the CS.MONEY Blog is here to explain how to play on Cache, what’s changed, and whether we can expect it to join the competitive map pool soon.
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How to Play on Cache?
Let’s start with the most important question: How do you get Cache in CS2? It’s easy—here’s what you need to do:
- Head to the Steam Workshop link
- Subscribe to the map
- Steam will automatically start downloading it (it’s a hefty 1.8 GB)
- Launch the game, and choose maps from the workshop.
- Enjoy the game!
What’s Changed in Cache for CS2?
Overall, Cache is still the familiar map we know, but with less green in the color palette. It’s a bit more like the original Cache from CS:GO than the one we’ve seen before.
The map looks gorgeous, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be tactical surprises. One of the key changes is that the upper floor is now more open, which means we’re in for a lot of new, unexpected but highly effective smokes and flashes. There’s a ton of space to explore, and players will find plenty to do on this map.
Here are some misc changes:
- The A bombsite door can now be blown up with a grenade
- The CT side mid window is gone, but there’s still a gap for smokes and flashes to go both ways.
- Mid boosts are easier to be used by both sides now.
- Many skill jumps remain intact, so parkour enthusiasts will have plenty of opportunities to show off their moves.
- s1mple’s graffiti hasn’t made it over (yet?).
Some players have reported low FPS on Cache, but FMPONE is likely still optimizing the map, taking community feedback into account.
When Will Cache Join the Competitive Map Pool in CS2?
For now, the map is available on the Steam Workshop. As mentioned, players are still facing some optimization issues, including FPS drops while playing on Cache. So, right now, Cache is in the intensive testing phase.
After that, it’s possible that Valve will move Cache into the community map rotation, but it’s too early to say if it will make its way into the competitive map pool.
Complexity’s founder, Jason Lake, has even mentioned rumors suggesting that Valve might not add Cache to competitive play at all. The only thing we know for sure is that the competitive map pool will change after the Major in Austin.
So, the earliest we might hear about Cache’s competitive future is late June or July. Does this mean we’ll see Cache in the second major of 2025? Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that just yet. Much will depend on the changes made to Cache and how the community reacts to the new version
For now, we can only wait for Valve’s announcements. But, hey—you can play on Cache right now, and no one can stop you from having fun. That’s the most important thing in gaming!
