Players react to Ancient, latest addition to CS: GO Active Duty Map Pool cover image

Players react to Ancient, latest addition to CS: GO Active Duty Map Pool

The community is divided over the new map, Ancient that recently replaced Train in the Active Duty Map pool. Some like it, some hate it and then there’s Olofmeister.

Valve added Ancient to replace Train in the CS: GO Active Duty Map pool in its latest update. While the community had been clamoring for a map pool change, the latest update was still a surprise. Train’s departure and Ancient’s addition has divided the CS:GO community. Some players give Valve the benefit of doubt with Ancient and are eager to explore the new-old Aztec-themed map. But there are several others who would have wanted to see some familiar maps make it into the active duty pool. 

Then there is the question of which map should have been shown the door. Mirage is one of the oldest untouched maps in Counter-Strike Global Offensive. But Valve decided to remove Train from the active duty map pool. 

Pro Players react to the map change

There are mixed reactions to Ancient’s addition to the Active Duty Map pool. Professional players will have to learn this new map, develop unique strategies and smoke angles ahead of the PGL Stockholm Major. Thankfully, ongoing RMR tournaments will still feature the old active duty map pool.

Na’Vi’s Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyliev was clearly shocked at Ancient replacing Train. With most of the pro players having little to no experience on Ancient, they will face some hurdles initially switching to the new map.

Train is Team Liquid’s perma-ban so it was no surprise to see Jonathan "EliGE" Jablonowski elated at Train’s removal. 

CS:GO commentator Mohan "launders" Govindasamy had a positive outlook on the new map. Valve will work on improving this map over time, similar to what they did with Overpass says Launders. 

But there were also a barrage of negative reactions to the new map. Several CS:GO players and community members expressed their outrage with Ancient’s addition.

There’s a lot that needs to be fixed in a new map. Extra Salt’s Aran "Sonic" Groesbeek lists out a lot of problems with Ancient and it ends with a ‘Bring back Train’ subtweet.

Time to knive some Noobs for Olofmeister

Meanwhile, Olof "olofmeister" Kajbjer Gustafsson is enjoying kniving down unsuspecting opponents in his matches.

DreamHack has already announced a showmatch on the new map on Sunday at 14:20 CEST before the DreamHack Masters Spring Grand Final. Two teams led by Chad "SPUNJ" Burchill and Alex "Machine" Richardson will face each other, exploring the new map. Some players might get lost, some might knife opponents (or teammates!) but CS:GO fans will be in for a treat on Sunday. 

There are many new changes as part of CS:GO’s May 3 update besides the changes to the CS: GO Active Duty map pool. This includes new chicken models, several new cosmetics with the Snakebite collection and a paid premium service in CS:GO 360 Stats

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