Ancient replaces Train in the CS: GO active duty map pool

Valve has released a new update that brings changes to the Active Duty Map pool, a new cosmetic collection and chicken models. Ancient replaces Train on the Active Duty lineup with a few changes. The Aztec-themed map brings back nostalgic memories from the years gone by. There are also new cosmetic items for CS:GO players to choose from in the Snakebite collection.

Premier matchamking, which allowed players to pick/ban maps will continue after the end of Broken Fang. Players can ick and ban maps, choose their starting side and work together to win 16 rounds. After the latest update, Premier Competitive is still an option in the Competitive tab and Retakes has a new home among the Wargames.

The CS:GO community has long-demanded a change to the active duty map pool to spice things up. Valve has been regularly adding new maps although there have been very few changes to the active duty map pool.

Ancient features many similarities to the classic Aztec map that has been a part of Counter-Strike for many years. In fact, Ancient uses several of the same assets as Aztec including the wooden bridge, the pyramid styles, textures and patterns. The map’s skybox’s name is hr_aztec in the game files. Valve’s Aztec remake is now a part of the Active Duty map pool. 

Old-time CS:GO fans will surely be nostalgic watching professional teams compete on Azte...Ancient. The map became a part of Counter-Strike Global Offensive in December 2020 as part of Operation Broken Fang. Valve has tweaked the map a bit ahead of its induction into the Active Duty map pool.

Here are the most recent changes to to the map:

Besides the new map addition, Valve announced the end of Operation Broken Fang. The game developer has also released a new case with seventeen new skins. 

Several weapons such as the M4A4, USP, P250, Galil and others have received colorful new cosmetics as part of the Snakebite Collection.

Valve has confirmed that the ongoing RMR events will feature the old map pool. The North America, Europe and CIS regions will field regional Major Ranking events in the next few weeks. 

Active Duty maps are the most balanced and competitive maps in rotation. All official Valve events use this map pool including at the Majors and the several RMR events.

CS:GO’s active duty map pool is as follows:

Besides Ancient’s addition to the Active Duty map pool, Mocha and Grind are now available to play in competitive scrimmage. Calavera and Pitstop are now available to play in Wingman. And finally there are new chicken models for professional players (TACO) to shoot at in CS:GO matches. CS: GO players can read the patch notes here.

Stay tuned to esports.gg for the latest CS:GO news and updates.