Anubis (CS2 map)

Overview

Anubis is a bomb defusal map within Counter-Strike 2, officially integrated into the game's competitive map pool. The map's design draws inspiration from ancient Egyptian architecture, featuring waterways, narrow corridors, and open bomb sites. Its layout is structured around three primary lanes that connect the Terrorist and Counter-Terrorist spawns to two distinct bomb sites, A and B. This multi-lane design encourages varied strategic approaches, allowing teams to execute pushes, rotate players, and establish control over key areas. The map's central canal system provides unique movement options and potential for flanking maneuvers, setting it apart from other maps in the competitive rotation.

Anubis was initially introduced to the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) workshop in April 2020 and gained official recognition by Valve, eventually replacing Dust II in the active duty map pool in November 2022 as noted in official Counter-Strike updates. Its inclusion marked a shift in the competitive landscape, requiring professional teams and casual players alike to adapt to its distinct flow and tactical demands. The map's complexity and balance have been subject to ongoing analysis within the community, with discussions often focusing on optimal grenade usage, timing for site takes, and defensive setups as observed in community forums like Reddit. The map is best suited for players who prioritize strategic coordination, utility usage, and adaptable team play, rather than solely relying on individual aim duels.

For developers and technical buyers interested in game level design, Anubis serves as an example of a modern competitive map that balances visual theme with gameplay mechanics. Its design incorporates elements that promote both direct engagements and indirect utility usage, such as smoke grenades and flashbangs, to control line of sight and manipulate enemy positions. The map's distinct areas, including the A site's open temple and the B site's more confined chambers, offer different tactical challenges for both attacking and defending teams. Understanding the flow and choke points of Anubis is critical for competitive success, making it a staple in esports tournaments and high-level matchmaking.

Key features

• Three-Lane Layout: Provides multiple paths for both attacking and defending teams, facilitating diverse strategies and rotations.
• Central Canal System: Features navigable waterways that allow for unique flanking routes and require players to manage their sound cues carefully.
• Distinct Bomb Sites: Bomb Site A is an open, multi-level area with several entry points, while Bomb Site B is more enclosed, favoring close-quarters engagements and precise utility usage.
• Complex Mid Control: The middle section of the map offers critical control points that impact rotations and access to both bomb sites, making mid-control a high-priority objective.
• Verticality: Incorporates varying elevations, particularly around Bomb Site A and some mid-sections, creating opportunities for advantageous angles and challenging defensive positions.
• Utility-Heavy Gameplay: Designed to reward effective use of smoke grenades, flashbangs, and incendiary grenades for controlling space, blocking vision, and clearing angles.
• Egyptian Theme: Visually distinct ancient Egyptian aesthetic with detailed textures and environmental elements that contribute to immersion without hindering gameplay clarity.

Pricing

Anubis is an official map included with the purchase of Counter-Strike 2. There are no additional fees or subscriptions required to access or play on the Anubis map once Counter-Strike 2 is owned.

Common integrations

As a game map, Anubis does not offer typical programmatic integrations like APIs or webhooks. Its integrations are primarily within the game engine and related community tools:

• Counter-Strike 2 Game Client: Fully integrated into the official game client for matchmaking, casual play, and custom servers.
• Steam Workshop: While Anubis is an official map, the Steam Workshop platform allows community members to create and share custom maps, skins, and other content, extending the game's ecosystem via the Steam Workshop for CS2.
• Esports Platforms: Integrated into various esports tournament platforms (e.g., FACEIT, ESEA) for competitive play, leveraging the game's server infrastructure.
• Demo Review Tools: Compatible with in-game demo recording and third-party analysis tools that parse game data to review matches played on Anubis.
• Streaming and Content Creation Software: Works with standard streaming software (e.g., OBS Studio, Streamlabs Desktop) and video editing tools for content creation based on gameplay on Anubis.

Alternatives

While Anubis is a specific map, alternatives in the context of Counter-Strike 2 refer to other official bomb defusal maps that offer different strategic experiences:

• Inferno: A classic CS2 map known for its narrow chokepoints and distinct Italian village aesthetic, often favoring aggressive play and intricate utility usage.
• Mirage: A balanced and widely played map with a desert theme, characterized by its open mid-control and clear bomb sites, suitable for various playstyles.
• Nuke: A unique multi-level map set in a nuclear power plant, known for its vertical gameplay and emphasis on sound cues and site retakes.
• Overpass: Features an open park and canal design, offering long sightlines and complex bomb site layouts that encourage strategic rotations and utility plays.
• Vertigo: A high-rise construction site map with significant verticality and tight angles, demanding precise aim and coordinated pushes.

Getting started

Accessing and playing on Anubis in Counter-Strike 2 primarily involves launching the game and selecting the map through the in-game interface. There is no programmatic setup required for players or server administrators to run Anubis on an official server.

To play Anubis:

1. Launch Counter-Strike 2: Ensure you have the game installed via Steam.
2. Select Play: From the main menu, choose the 'Play' option.
3. Choose a Game Mode:
• For competitive play, select 'Competitive' and ensure Anubis is checked in your map preferences.
• For casual play, select 'Casual' or 'Deathmatch' and choose Anubis from the available maps.
• To practice or explore, select 'Practice' or 'Workshop Maps' (though Anubis is official, it can be practiced offline).
4. Start Matchmaking/Game: The game will then place you into a match on Anubis based on your preferences and chosen mode.

For server administrators or those setting up custom games, Anubis can be loaded using standard console commands. The map filename is de_anubis.

// Example: Loading Anubis on a dedicated server or local practice server
map de_anubis

// Example: Setting up a competitive match on Anubis with a specific configuration
exec gamemode_competitive
map de_anubis

These commands are executed within the game's developer console or a server's configuration file. The map command loads the specified map, while exec gamemode_competitive applies competitive rulesets, including round timers, economic settings, and team sizes.