Operations in Counter Strike (Overview of all operations)

What are operations and how do they work?

An operation in Counter Strike is always a major update that brings new content to the game. The new content includes: Community maps, missions, an Operation Coin and a Weapons box with weapon skins.

An operation is best compared to a battle pass in other games. It remains in the game for 4-5 months, during which time certain tasks can be completed and rewards collected.

To take part in an operation, the Operations Pass must be purchased. Once the pass has been purchased, the operation is unlocked and you receive stars for completing tasks. These stars can be used to earn various rewards, such as crates from the operation.

Each operation also includes an operation coin, which you can issue in your profile. The coin can be bronze, silver, gold or diamond (only since Operation Hydra). In the past, the leveling up of coins was linked to the playing time, nowadays it is linked to the stars earned.

The cost of the Operations Pass

To obtain the content of the operation, the Operations Pass must first be purchased. The pass used to cost €5.99 and at times even just €2.99. For the latest Operations, the price of the pass was raised to €14.99. At the same time, the Battle Pass system was also expanded and there were significantly more rewards for active players.

Is it worth taking part in an operation

It is definitely worthwhile for active players to take part in the operation. The price of the Operations Pass is quickly recouped through the rewards. The content of the operations also offers a nice change from matchmaking.

The rewards of an operation

The rewards for an operation range from a simple weapon box to stickers and various agents. Various rewards can be collected by earning stars. With enough stars, even very rare and expensive skins can be purchased directly.

All past operations at a glance

In CS:GO, there were 11 different operations over a period of almost 10 years. Over time, the content of the operations has evolved. For example, the first Operation never brought a new crate into the game. But it did have its own campaign, which later operations no longer had.

In the following, we will discuss the special features of the respective operations.

Operation Payback

Operation Payback is the oldest and first Counter Strike operation. It was released in April 2013 and contained seven new maps and an Operation Coin. This coin could be upgraded by the time spent on the new maps (10 hours for silver, 50 hours for gold).

Payback is the only operation that did not bring its own weapon box into play.

Operation Bravo

Operation Bravo was introduced in September 2013, one month after the end of Operation Payback. The new operation also included seven new maps and an Operation Coin in bronze, silver and gold (the playtime for gold was reduced to 30 hours). This time, a new crate, the "Operation Bravo" weapon crate, was also added to the game with the operation. This crate contains, among other things, the legendary AK-47 Fire Serpent.

Operation Phoenix

Operation Phoenix was released in the same month that Operation Bravo ended (February 2014). The only change to the previous operation is that one more map has been added this time, i.e. nine new maps. The "Operation Phoenix" weapon box contains, among other things, the still coveted AWP Asiimov and the AK-47 Redline.

Operation Breakout

Operation Breakout was released in July 2014, bringing six new maps and a new weapon box to the game. The Operations Journal was also added, which contained tasks that had to be completed in order to upgrade the Operation Coins. Five tasks had to be completed for a silver coin and 15 tasks for a gold coin.

The Cobblestone collection, and with it the AWP Dragonlore, was also added to CS:GO with Operation Breakout.

Operation Vanguard

In November 2014, Operation Vanguard was added to the game with seven new maps and a weapon box. This time, stars were collected in the Operations Journal, which were responsible for Coin Progress.

Nothing else has changed in this operation compared to the previous one.

Operation Bloodhound

Operation Bloodhound was launched in May 2015, adding six new maps and a new weapon box with the Falchion knife to the game.

A new mode (Guardian) has also been introduced. In this mode, you fight alone or in co-op against waves of opponents.

Operation Wildfire

Operation Wildfire was released in February 2016 with seven new maps and a new weapon box. There were no changes in this operation compared to previous operations.

Operation Hydra

Operation Hydra was launched in May 2017 and seven new maps were added to the game. In addition, the diamond level was added to the Operations Coin. In addition to this change, the Wingman and Flying Scoutsman modes were added to the game.

Operation Shattered Web

Two years after the end of Operation Hydra, Operation Shattered Web was introduced in November 2019. It brought four new maps and a new weapon box to the game. What was special, however, was that agents were added to CS:GO. 

The price for the Operations Pass has been raised to 15 euros, but the Battle Pass principle has been introduced and players have received many more rewards for completing tasks.

Operation Broken Fang

Operation Broken Fang was released in December 2020 with 8 new maps and a crate. In contrast to the previous operation, nothing has changed in the operation principle.

Operation Riptide

Operation Riptide is the last CS:GO operation. It was released in September 2021 and contained five new maps and a weapon crate. Stars could also be earned here using the Battle Pass principle and spent on rewards.

The next operation in CS2

When the next and thus first operation in CS2 will be released, nobody knows yet. Valve is working hard to fix all the bugs in CS2. As soon as CS2 has a solid foundation, Valve will start developing new content in the form of operations.