Monday, February 2, 2026
Home Blog Page 16

CS2 Premier Season 4 Map Pool Revealed: Full List of Maps & Changes

Sonu Banerjee
-
0
CS2 Premier Season 4 Map Pool Revealed: Full List of Maps & Changes

Valve has revealed the map pool for the upcoming Counter-Strike 2 Premier Season 4 update, bidding farewell to one of the fan-favorite maps while welcoming back a familiar face from previous rotations.

The CS2 devs confirmed the fresh map pool of Premier Season 4 in a recent X post, while also announcing the end date of the current Season.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at everything you need to know about the CS2 Premier Season 4 map pool.

CS2 Premier Season 4 Map Pool

The upcoming CS2 Premier Season 4 update will reintroduce Anubis to the Active Duty map pool in the game, replacing Train.

Train will be leaving the CS2 Premier map pool after spending a full year in rotation. The map was initially added in January 2025, replacing Vertigo at the start of Premier Season 2.

Note that players will still be able to play Train even after its removal from Premier, as it will remain available in other game modes such as Competitive and Casual.

Valve further confirmed that CS2 Premier Season 3 is coming to an end on January 19, 2026, giving fans just over a week to grind for their desired rank goal. Players will be given a rank medal at the end of Season 3 based on their peak rank during the season, provided that they have at least 25 premier wins over the course of the season.

That’s everything you need to know about the end of CS2 Premier Season 3 and the map pool for the next season.

CS2 Premier Season 3 End Date Confirmed

Sonu Banerjee
-
0
CS2 Premier Season 3 End Date Confirmed

Valve has officially confirmed the end date for Counter-Strike 2 Premier Season 3, and it’s a lot closer than you may think.

Through a recent post on the official CS2 X handle, the devs confirmed the Premier Season 3 end date alongside announcing the fresh map pool for the upcoming Season.

Here’s everything you need to know about the CS2 Premier Season 3 end date, the new map pool, and more.

CS2 Premier Season 3 End Date

CS2 Premier Season 3 is coming to an end, and players only have just over a week left to finish their competitive grind and hit their MMR goal before the big reset.

As previously confirmed by Valve, CS2 Season 3 will conclude on January 19, 2026.

CS2 Premier Season 4 will bring a new map pool to the shooter. While the current roster of maps will still be playable in ‘Competitive’ and other game modes, the Premier map pool will now feature Anubis instead of Train.

Train was initially added to the CS2 Premier map pool in January 2025, replacing Vertigo. A year later, Train finds itself being removed once again, getting replaced by Anubis instead.

The detailed patch notes of the CS2 Premier Season 4 update have not been revealed by Valve at the time of writing. With the new CS2 Season, fans can expect gameplay changes to alter the current meta alongside other improvements.

Riot Games to Implement Bots Replacing AFK Valorant Players: Reports

Aritra Patra
-
0
Riot Games to Implement Bots Replacing AFK Valorant Players: Reports

As various insider sources revealed, Riot Games is working on an entirely new ‘bot’ system that can serve as a substitute for players who go AFK in the midst of Valorant games. It seems that the game developer is finally taking a different approach in addressing the problem of player misconduct that has long been an issue in its tactical shooter game.

The proposed system remedies one of the biggest complaints of the Valorant community. The hindering effects of an AFK teammate. As continued analysis of Riot’s own systems has shown, an AFK player undermines the matchplay experience of the other four players, deeming it unfair. The newly proposed bot replacement policy reflects a bold approach that may turn the entire model of handling AFK disconnections upside down.

According to insider information from Turkish sources, Riot has been examining a few ways of implementing this plan. One of the easiest ways to implement it would involve the automatic deployment of bots that would take control of an AFK player’s character once they joined an ongoing game. Another plan the company has been considering would entail players willingly being part of a queue system that would see them play along with bot players.

The crucial question still being unknown is the intelligence of these robots and their ability to cope with the skills of players and a constantly changing scenario of a match. The degree of the system’s success will depend on its ability to assist its human partners meaningfully instead of becoming an added burden for them.

It also comes at a time when Riot has been giving extra attention to the behavioral systems. Patch cycle after patch cycle has doled out harsher punishments, such as when competitive matches saw a 20% reduction in AFKs thanks to the stricter enforcement that came about in recent patches.

The studio conventionally tracked AFK behavior through advanced detection systems that tracked behavioral patterns across all matches and moved progressively through a series of penalties, starting with warnings, then ranked rating deductions, and finally to outright game bans for repeat offenders. However, these punitive measures have proven insufficient to fully eliminate the problem.

Realized, this bot-replacement system would place Valorant ahead in competition integrity. It’s supposed to maintain match balance and avoid those terrible, demoralizing 4v5 situations that have driven frustration throughout the player base.

Free Fire MAX Booyah Premier League Auction Live Updates: Teams, Players Bought & Purse Left

Aditya Parsutkar
-
0
Free Fire MAX Booyah Premier League Auction Live Updates: Teams, Players Bought & Purse Left

Garena India has officially announced the Free Fire MAX Booyah Premier League (BPL), a franchise-based tournament that blends competitive esports with creator-driven entertainment. The biggest highlight today is the BPL Player Auction, which is taking place live on January 10, 2026, from 4:00 PM IST.

The Free Fire MAX BPL Auction Live is being streamed on the Free Fire MAX Esports India Official YouTube channel, where fans can watch teams bid for players in real time. We are providing live updates on which team bought which players, along with purse details.

Free Fire MAX BPL Auction Live: Date, Time and Stream

  • Date: January 10, 2026
  • Time: From 4:00 PM IST onwards
  • Live Stream: Free Fire MAX Esports India Official YouTube channel

Each franchise has been given a fixed virtual purse to build their squads from a registered player pool that includes Free Fire creators and professional esports athletes.

Free Fire MAX Booyah Premier League Auction Live Updates: Players Bought by Each Team

(This section will be updated live as the auction progresses)

Garena India has revealed all Free Fire MAX Booyah Premier League (BPL) teams along with their owners and marquee players. Each franchise will now build the rest of its squad during the live auction.

Peak Panthers

Owners: Sid, Pahadi

Marquee Player: Jonty

Purse Left: ₹0.25 CR

Players Bought: JONTY GAMING (100.00 L), GODL.ECOECO7 (10.00 L), GG.ARUP (10.00 L), ASH (20.00 L), BADAL (30.00 L), KV18.AWMKING (100.00 L), GODL.NOBITA (10.00 L), OLDMONK (155.00 L), MR.JAY (10.00 L), S8UL-ADEEB09 (10.00 L), TSG-MANN (20.00 L)

Bermuda Blasters

Owners: Kullu, Assassins Army

Marquee Player: Rocky RDX

Purse Left: ₹0.30 CR

Players Bought: ROCKY RDX (30.00 L), BLACK FLAG ARMY (40.00 L), CHIRAYU GAMING (25.00 L), LOUISX5 (90.00 L), MADHU PENNEM (10.00 L), ROFANI (65.00 L), RONITH.02 (25.00 L), STRUGGLE (10.00 L), S8UL.ARMAN19 (10.00 L), DADDYCALLING (45.00 L), DG IGNITE (120.00 L)

Nexterra Nawabs

Owners: Ritik, Sooneeta

Marquee Player: TSG Legend

Purse Left: ₹0.15 CR

Players Bought: TSG LEGEND (50.00 L), TSG.ARJUN (15.00 L), RE-MOKHRIA (45.00 L), TUX.RAJU (35.00 L), ROSHAN (65.00 L), TSG DAKSH (65.00 L), JASH (25.00 L), RNTX PAVAN (25.00 L), DG HARSH (50.00 L), ABHI (30.00 L), SK_KILLER (80.00 L)

Alpine Aces

Owners: Badge 99, PN Ross

Marquee Player: Fozy Ajay

Purse Left: ₹0.10 CR

Players Bought: TG FOZYAJAY (120.00 L), DARSHANx26 (15.00 L), GNXJASS07 (40.00 L), TG-MAFIABALA (20.00 L), RTX DEOXYS (45.00 L), FIREEYES.. (10.00 L), MAMBASR (45.00 L), TM ANSH (10.00 L), CONCEPT (155.00 L), SENIOOOR.29 (10.00 L), XTYASIRGAMING (20.00 L)

Solara Sultans

Owners: Munnabhai Gaming, Nonstop Gaming

Marquee Player: Vasiyo

Purse Left: ₹0.65 CR

Players Bought: VASIYO CRJ7 (45.00 L), RNTX.BLACK (175.00 L), TG MAFIA (15.00 L), HELLO TELUGU GAMERS (10.00 L), RIE HARSH (10.00 L), RAHUL GAMING (50.00 L), HTG.PARTEEK (50.00 L), HARD!K (20.00 L), VEXBHAGLI (30.00 L), KRISHNA (20.00 L), RGESOHAN (10.00 L)

Kalahari Knights

Owners: Desi Gamer, Kaashvi

Marquee Player: TG Delete

Purse Left: ₹00 CR

Players Bought: TG DELETE (20.00 L), ANSHUJR (100.00 L), INSANE ARENA (50.00 L), SRV SMARTY (45.00 L), TSG ABHEE (100.00 L), BOSS SPIDER (50.00 L), DG INSANE (10.00 L), HIMNISH (75.00 L), XDIVINE (30.00 L), TE ICONIC (10.00 L), GODL.NANCY15 (10.00 L)

Read More: Free Fire OB52 Update Release Date and Time

Free Fire MAX Booyah Premier League Tournament Dates

After the auction concludes, the Free Fire MAX Booyah Premier League 2026 main event will be held from January 26 to February 1. The tournament will take place at the EKA Arena Stadium in Ahmedabad, marking a major offline esports and creator-led event in India.

Where to Watch Free Fire MAX BPL Auction Live

Fans can watch the full auction live on the Free Fire MAX Esports India Official YouTube channel starting from 4:00 PM IST today. Stay tuned for live squad updates, final team lineups, and key auction highlights.

Revenant Esports Shares Esports Industry Outlook for 2026

Aditya Parsutkar
-
0
Revenant Esports Shares Esports Industry Outlook for 2026

Indian esports organisation Revenant Esports has shared its outlook for the global esports industry in 2026, highlighting strong market growth and increased focus on competitive performance, creator economy, and community engagement.

According to Rohit Jagasia, Founder and CEO of Revenant Esports, the global esports market is expected to see significant expansion in the coming years. Industry estimates suggest the market could grow to nearly $10 billion by 2033, up from around $2 billion in 2025, indicating positive momentum for esports worldwide.

Revenant Esports’ Focus Areas in 2026

Looking ahead to 2026, Revenant Esports plans to strengthen its competitive ambitions across multiple esports titles. The organisation aims to diversify its brand revenues, invest more in the creator economy, and contribute to long-term growth within the esports ecosystem.

Jagasia stated that consistency across global mobile and PC esports competitions will be a key priority this year. Revenant is also planning to expand its efforts in content creation, intellectual property (IP) development, and youth engagement through both online and offline events.

Revenant Esports enters 2026 after a strong 2025. The organisation recorded a top-four finish at the Brawl Stars World Finals and partnered with global brands such as Monster Energy, helping it gain international visibility.

The team has also built a strong roster of esports athletes across different titles and regions, which is expected to play a major role in upcoming international competitions.

Read More: KRAFTON India Awards 2025 All Winners List

Eyes on Global Esports Events

In 2026, Revenant Esports will be targeting global success in games such as BGMI, Valorant, and Brawl Stars, among others. These ambitions are further supported by applications for major global events, including the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026, along with continued investment in emerging talent.

Founded in 2021, Revenant Esports is one of the leading esports organisations in South Asia. Headquartered in India, the organisation currently has 45+ athletes across eight rosters, competing in various PC and mobile esports titles.

KRAFTON India honors India’s Gaming Champions at the Inaugural KRAFTON India Awards 2025 with iQOO

Aditya Parsutkar
-
0
KRAFTON India honors India’s Gaming Champions at the Inaugural KRAFTON India Awards 2025 with iQOO

Marking a defining moment for India’s rapidly evolving gaming industry, KRAFTON India hosted the inaugural KRAFTON India Awards 2025, presented by iQOO, at JW Marriott, Juhu on 9 January 2026. The invite-only ceremony brought together leading gaming creators, Esports athletes, commentators, casters and ecosystem stakeholders, alongside KRAFTON India’s leadership as well as senior industry executives and partners.

The Awards mark the first time a global gaming publisher has instituted a dedicated, homegrown awards platform in India. Conceived as more than a one-time celebration, the KRAFTON India Awards presented by iQOO are created to recognise sustained excellence and impact across content creation, competitive Esports, community initiatives, and game development, honouring achievements from the past year and reflecting the full breadth of India’s gaming ecosystem.

Commenting on the significance of the initiative, Sean Hyunil Sohn, CEO, KRAFTON India, said, “the KRAFTON India Awards reflect our broader commitment to India’s gaming journey. As we look ahead to 2026 and beyond, our focus is on building an inclusive ecosystem that supports creativity, talent, and community across gaming, and creates meaningful opportunities for Indian talent to grow and be recognised. This is about strengthening the foundations that will shape the future of gaming in India.”

Presented by iQOO and co-powered by Flipkart, the inaugural edition underscores the increasing convergence of gaming, digital culture, and commerce. The platform reinforces KRAFTON India’s long-term commitment to building a credible, inclusive, and globally competitive gaming and Esports ecosystem, supported by partners that share a vision for the growth of India’s digital entertainment economy.

KRAFTON India Awards 2025 Winners

Recognising trailblazers across content creation, competitive Esports, community leadership, and game development, the inaugural edition honoured individuals and teams who helped shape India’s gaming landscape over the past year.

1. Influencer of the Year

Awarded to the creator who consistently delivers engaging content, strong influence, and meaningful impact within the gaming ecosystem.

Winner: Jonathan (Jonathan Amaral)

2. Best Content Creator of the Year (Male)

Awarded to the creator who consistently delivers engaging content, strong influence, and meaningful impact within the gaming ecosystem.

Winner: Joker ki Haveli (Gulrez Khan)

3. Best Content Creator of the Year (Female)

Awarded to the creator who consistently delivers engaging content, strong influence, and meaningful impact within the gaming ecosystem.

Winner: Payal (Payal Dhare)

4. Rising Creator of the Year

Recognizing an emerging BGMI creator or player who has shown significant growth, originality, and promise within the gaming community.

Winner: Admino (Tanishk Singh)

5. Fans Choice: Favourite Creator of the Year (Male)

A 100% fan-voted award for the most beloved KOL or content creator of the year.

Winner: Jonathan (Jonathan Amaral)

6. Fans Choice: Favourite Creator of the Year (Female)

A 100% fan-voted award for the most beloved KOL or content creator of the year.

Winner: Payal (Payal Dhare)

Read More: BGMI 4.2 Update Release Date India: Check BGMI New Update Date

7. iQOO Esports Team of the Year

Honors a team that has had an incredible year of competitive performance, consistency, and impact in the Esports ecosystem.

Winner: ORANGUTAN

8. Esports Player of the Year

Most outstanding professional Esports player with exceptional performance, skill, and influence during the year.

Winner: Levi (Mohit Kumavat)

9. Best IGL (In-Game Leader) of the Year

Given to the player who has shown exceptional leadership, strategy, and decision-making as an in-game leader.

Winner: Aaru (Arman)

10. Rookie Esports Athlete of the Year

Recognizes an emerging talent who has shown significant promise and performance in their debut year.

Winner: Devotee

11. Esports Commentator of the Year (Hindi)

The most outstanding caster who has brought excitement, clarity, and insight to Esports broadcasts.

Winner: Ankibot (Ankit Pandey)

12. Esports Commentator of the Year (English)

The most outstanding caster who has brought excitement, clarity, and insight to Esports broadcasts.

Winner: Nekrou (Neeraj Sangle)

13. Esports Host of the Year

The most charismatic, engaging, and professional host who elevated Esports events and broadcasts.

Winner: Rohit Varghese

14. Fans Choice: Favourite Esports Player of the Year

A 100% fan-voted recognition honoring the most loved Esports athlete of the year.

Winner: Jonathan (Jonathan Amaral)

15. Social Impact Initiative of the Year

Recognises an initiative that leverages gaming to drive meaningful social change, community impact and positive real-world outcomes.

Winner: Pravara Medical Trust

16.KIGI Certificate Ceremony – Cohort 1 Teams

To formally recognize and celebrate the graduating teams from the inaugural KIGI cohort for their contribution to the gaming ecosystem.

Winners:

  • 1. ReDimension Games – Sojourn Past (action-adventure, PC/console).
  • 2. Shura Games – Spice Secrets (mobile puzzle-style).
  • 3. Dunali Games – Rookie Tales (tactical deck-builder RPG).
  • 4. Arjuna Studios – Gangster Carnival (battle royale with Indian flair

17. Communicator of the Year

The Communications Contributor of the Year award recognizes an individual who has played a pivotal role in strengthening storytelling, visibility, and industry communications within the gaming ecosystem.

Winner: Leah Iyechittera

Live streamed inside BGMI and on YouTube, the KRAFTON India Awards 2025 brought fans nationwide into the celebration as it unfolded. By combining jury evaluation with fan voting, the Awards reflected both industry credibility and community sentiment, underscoring KRAFTON India’s long-term vision to champion talent and strengthen India’s growing gaming ecosystem

KRAFTON India Awards 2025 All Winners List

Aditya Parsutkar
-
0
KRAFTON India Awards 2025 All Winners List

KRAFTON India hosted the inaugural KRAFTON India Awards 2025 at JW Marriott, Juhu, Mumbai, celebrating excellence across India’s gaming and esports ecosystem. The event marked KRAFTON India’s first dedicated awards platform in the country, bringing together creators, esports athletes, casters, hosts, and industry professionals. Check out all Krafton India Awards winners.

Presented by iQOO and co-powered by Flipkart, the awards night highlighted standout performances in content creation, competitive esports, community impact, and game development. The ceremony was also live-streamed inside BGMI and on YouTube, allowing fans across the country to witness the celebrations. The awards featured a mix of jury-decided and fan-voted categories, recognizing both performance-based excellence and community popularity.

KRAFTON India Awards 2025 Winners List

Influencer of the Year

Winner: Jonathan

Best Content Creator of the Year (Male)

Winner: JokerKiHaveli

Best Content Creator of the Year (Female)

Winner: Payal Gaming

Rising Creator of the Year

Winner: Admino

Fans Choice: Favourite Creator of the Year (Male)

Winner: Jonathan

Fans Choice: Favourite Creator of the Year (Female)

Winner: Payal Gaming

iQOO Esports Team of the Year

Winner: Orangutan

Esports Player of the Year

Winner: Levi

Best IGL (In-Game Leader) of the Year

Winner: Aaru

Rookie Esports Athlete of the Year

Winner: Devotee

Esports Commentator of the Year (Hindi)

Winner: Ankibot

Esports Commentator of the Year (English)

Winner: Nekrouu

Esports Host of the Year

Winner: Rohit Varghese

Fans Choice: Favourite Esports Player of the Year

Winner: Jonathan

Read More: BGMI New Season Date and Time January 2026: C9S26 End and Tier Reset

With its first edition completed successfully, the KRAFTON India Awards is expected to become a regular fixture on India’s gaming calendar, celebrating talent and contributions from across the rapidly growing gaming and esports industry.

Best Bowie Knife Skins in CS2

Sarjyo Mukherjee
-
0
Best Bowie Knife Skins in CS2

The Bowie Knife is one of the most popular knives in CS2, thanks to its unique animation and incredibly affordable price, making it a great value-for-money cosmetic to acquire in 2026. If you are planning to get your first knife in CS2 and eyeing a Bowie, then there is little that can go wrong for you. In this article, we will explore the best Bowie skins out there to help you make a decision.

Bowie is a big knife, and many consider it to be kind of in your face, but if you are getting your first knife, then you would much rather enjoy one like it. It has a unique switching animation and a pretty slick inspect animation, and several of the less desirable patterns can be found at a pocket-friendly price. All of this makes Bowie a great choice for those who are looking to get their first knife.

1. Bowie Knife | Gamma Doppler

With its vibrant colours and eye-catching patterns, the Gamma Doppler lineup is arguably the most desired skin type among knives in the CS2. The elegant colors make it classy as well as unique enough to stand out, and it is a treat for the eyes. Gamma Doppler brings along a lot of boasting rights, but attracts quite a few scammers.

2. Bowie Knife | Doppler

Just like Gamma Doppler, the regular Doppler is just as gorgeous and often less expensive than the former. It also boasts unique patterns within the skin, which at times appreciates the value of the knife significantly. With its unique colours, the knife looks like it has been carved out of a precious gemstone, which makes it a joy to stare at between rounds.

3. Bowie Knife | Marble Fade

With a burst of colours that pop when inspected, the Marble Fade serves as a cheaper alternative to some of the more expensive skins, making it a highly desirable one among first-time skin buyers. If you have the budget, then Marble Fade is one of the most respected skins within the community.

4. Bowie Knife | Fade

The eternal love for all CS fans, Fade skins rank among the cleanest and most aesthetically pleasing knives, which come with a hefty price tag. One can never go wrong with a fade skin, and if you get this as your first skin, then be ready to attract the gaze of your teammates.

5. Bowie Knife | Tiger Tooth

Bowie Tiger Tooth is a very safe and unique option for players looking to get their first knife, especially with its price tag. Make sure to have your shaders set to “High” to get the most out of the precisely crafted aesthetics of the skin.

All of these skins make up some of the best Bowie skins out there, and given how they have historically appreciated, investing in one of them may be a wise decision over a long period of time. The above-mentioned Bowie knife skins are the best ones out there.

Will Valorant’s New Bandit Pistol Change the Competitive Meta?

Sonu Banerjee
-
0
Will Valorant’s New Bandit Pistol Change the Competitive Meta?

Valorant’s Season 2026 Act 1 update is here, bringing with it a ton of exciting content to the tactical shooter, including a fresh Battle Pass, a brand-new game mode, and a lot more.

However, the biggest highlight of the new Valorant Act is undoubtedly the introduction of the Bandit pistol, the newest addition to the game’s arsenal that has already sparked heated debates within the community about its potential to disrupt the current competitive meta.

For the uninitiated, the Bandit is a 600-credit pistol that aims to fill the void between the Ghost and the Sheriff in the Valorant arsenal. It can take down enemies wearing a light shield or a regen shield with a single headshot, and at close range, it is also capable of one-tapping opponents with heavy shields.

On paper, the Bandit seems absurdly overpowered as it outperforms the Ghost by a significant margin in terms of raw firepower, while only being slightly pricier. Many players also see the Bandit as a decent alternative to the Sheriff, as it has a higher magazine and a much faster fire rate to compensate for its slightly lower damage at mid to long ranges.

But how does it fare practically? Can the Bandit be the next big meta pistol that will take over not only pistol rounds, but also anti-ecos and force-buys? Let’s find out.

Valorant Bandit Stats

To better understand how the Bandit stands in the current Valorant meta, we first have to take a look at the gun’s detailed stats.

The Bandit has the same run speed, equip speed, and reload time as the Ghost, giving it a solid edge over the Sheriff, which falls behind in all three areas. Meanwhile, its magazine size, fire rate, and first-shot accuracy all sit somewhere between the Ghost and the Sheriff.

Valorant Bandit Stats

With a medium wall penetration, the Bandit isn’t nearly as good as the Sheriff if you’re looking to wallbang opponents through certain covers.

So, Is the Bandit Broken or Balanced?

Bandit’s Impact on the Pistol-Round Meta

While many players seem to think that Bandit will completely “take over” pistol rounds, it’s highly unlikely that it will replace either the Ghost or the Sheriff as the go-to pick for most Agents.

Here’s why: while the Bandit’s price tag is pretty justified, if not slightly on the lower end, most Agents can’t afford it during pistol rounds.

Take agents like Sage or Omen, for instance. The former must dedicate 300 credits to her wall, which is a must-buy on pistol rounds, leaving her with only 500 credits to spend. The latter faces a similar issue, as he needs to get a smoke alongside a flash or teleport, leaving him with less than 600 credits either way.

Sure, you can sacrifice a crucial piece of utility to get a slightly better gun, but then you’d be more reliant on your mechanical skills rather than tactical play.

Agents like Jett or Reyna, however, will be extremely happy about the addition of the Bandit. Jett can now pick up an Updraft or a smoke alongside the new pistol, while Reyna can get an extra Dismiss charge.

This means that the usage of the Bandit during pistol rounds will likely be limited to certain Duelists in the game. However, unlike the Ghost, the Bandit also finds meaningful value beyond pistol rounds.

A Viable Option Against Light & Regen Shields

Previously, the best counter to the Light Shields and Regen Shields was the Outlaw. The 2400 credit Sniper is capable of taking down opponents without a Heavy Shield with a single body shot at all ranges, but occupies your primary weapon slot.

With the addition of the Bandit, players now have a reliable counter to light and regen shields in their back pocket, so to speak, giving them the flexibility to dedicate their primary slot to another weapon or even leave it empty in certain situations.

The new Valorant pistol might also drastically change the anti-eco and force-buy meta, as the mere presence of the Bandit makes purchasing a half-shield Bulldog or Outlaw after a pistol round win a lot more risky.

You might think that you’d be safe getting a Heavy Shield, and that is true to an extent, but note that the Bandit is capable of shredding fully-armored opponents with a single headshot at close ranges. Players might need to think twice about pushing close-quarters areas like the Bind Halls or Haven’s Garage without clearing them with proper utility first.

Should You Buy the Bandit?

So, when exactly should you be getting the Bandit?

As mentioned earlier, the Bandit is a tough buy for most Agents during pistol rounds. Additionally, it is only useful in cases where your opponents are getting Light Shields with a Classic. These factors make Bandit a questionable choice for Agents that are more reliant on their utility, but still a viable option for Duelists who can get away with it.

Outside of pistol rounds, you’ll need to be tracking your opponents’ economy to get a better idea of when they’re likely to compromise on heavy shields. If you’re low on cash but feel like your enemies might under-invest in protection, the Bandit can be a great option to wreak havoc on lightly armored opponents.

PaiN Gaming Signs Vsm and Piriajr

Aritra Patra
-
0
PaiN Gaming Signs Vsm and Piriajr

PaiN Gaming has locked in Vinicius “vsm” Moreira and Guilherme “piriajr” Barbosa for their Counter-Strike 2 squad. The high-octane duo benches David “dav1deuS” Maldonado and Franco “dgt” Garcia to reserves.

Vsm previously played for Flamengo and Vivo Keyd Stars. The 26-year-old CS2 pro dominated GamersClub Série A (three titles) and hit the CBCS Masters Xeque Mate final.

Piriajr is the 23-year-old damage machine from Fluxo/Bounty Hunters. ESL Challenger League S49 and CCT S2 Series 8 victory and BLAST.tv Austin Major Stage 1, prove his big-stage mettle.

PaiN Gaming Current Team:

  • piriajr
  • Snow
  • nqz
  • biguzera
  • vsm
  • Coach: rikz
  • Bench: dav1deuS, dgt

PaiN bets big on these Brazilian stars to crack tier-1 ceilings, blending vsm‘s precision with piriajr‘s firepower. Kraków could crown Brazil’s next CS2 dynasty.

1...151617...1,969Page 16 of 1,969

EDITOR PICKS

Opinions

POPULAR CATEGORY

ABOUT US

TalkEsport is world's premier stop for esports scores, news and coverage! In the industry since 2009, TalkEsport has garnered immense authenticity and credibility, making it the top destination for Esports!

Contact us: [email protected]

FOLLOW US

© TalkEsport Media & Broadcasting (P) Ltd. All Rights Reserved 2012-2025.