CS2 Volumetric Smoke Changes: Key Takeaways
- The CS2 volumetric smoke changes were implemented on day 1 of the beta-invite phase.
- Smokes now react to the environment and the things happening around them.
- The CS2 volumetric smoke changes are one of the main things that players are excited for.
Gone are the days when the smokes simply scatter through objects. CS2 introduced new smokes that react to the environment and can be interacted with by various weapons, objects, and items.
All CS:GO players are excited about this new update. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to the invite-only beta. So join us as we explain everything there is you need to know about the new CS2 volumetric smoke changes.
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Table of Contents
The Old CS:GO Smokes
If you’re new to CS:GO, you probably don’t know yet how exactly smokes work. So, let’s first talk about how CS:GO smokes work. Smoke grenades cost $300 in CS:GO. They instantly create a cloud of grey smoke that’s typically used to block vision and discourage pushes.
Each player can only buy a maximum of one smoke per round, for a total of five per team. However, players can pick up smoke grenades dropped by enemies to exceed this limit.
The cloud of grey smoke is opaque, aside from the edges, which allows a bit of light to pass through. While inside a smoke, a player’s vision will be greatly lowered, making it hard to see clearly.
Smokes also prevent detection from radars, making it a great way to hide from enemies. Smokes will last for a total of 25 seconds after they are deployed.
The smoke grenades will always scatter from the center toward the sides, regardless of where they are thrown. This is why they will cover cars, corners, and even barrels. They will simply pass through objects within the space and cover them up entirely.
Molotovs or Incendiary Grenades won’t work when thrown into already deployed smokes. Alternatively, you can also throw smoke grenades on fires created by the grenades to extinguish their effects.
The New CS2 Volumetric Smoke Changes
All of the previous smoke mechanics have changed in CS2. They were a huge highlight in the CS2 announcement video, and everyone from casuals to experts and even streamers were raving about the new smokes.
The new smokes now responded to their environment rather than just being there. They could be affected by light, the Zeus, grenades, and even gunshots. It was unlike anything that has ever been in CS:GO and added a whole new layer of strategy and playmaking to the game.
The new CS2 volumetric smoke changes made them more dynamic. They were now a part of the game and turned into 3D objects. This meant that they could form shapes, grow into containers, and crawl around objects, instead of simply passing through them, just like the old smokes.
One ways are now dead since smokes will look the same, regardless of the side you’re looking from. They will be more consistent than ever before and ensures that all of the smokes you throw will always be the same.
Any force applied to the smoke will dissipate them and move them for a bit. If you fire gunshots through smokes, you’ll create small holes as the bullet passes through them. The same goes for grenades, which completely diffuses the smoke screen before slowly going back to their original form.
Using the Zeus on an active smoke will allow you to create a shock cloud that kills anyone hiding in it. The smokes will also look slightly different, depending on the lighting available within each area.
Again, this change adds a whole new level of gameplay and unlocks a ton of new possibilities for CS2.
