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B1st Replaces ICY on Virtus.pro

Virtus.pro academy star Vladimir ‘b1st‘ Krasikov has been promoted to the first team of Virtus.pro. He is replacing ICY, who had a promising start with the organization after joining in December 2024, but failed to live up to the hype as the season progressed.

B1st has been a talking point in the CS community, especially after his performances with the VP Academy roster, making him the second player, after t00R0, to receive a promotion to the first team. VP slowly overhauled their roster, parting ways with electroNic and bringing in young talent to complement the trio of FL1T, Perfecto, and fame.

“After impressing in VP.Prodigy, b1st becomes the next young talent to join the main lineup,” said Virtus.pro on social media. “The team is already training to ensure his smooth transition ahead of IEM Chengdu 2025.”

Virtus.pro lineup is now:

  • Evgenii “⁠FL1T⁠” Lebedev
  • Petr “⁠fame⁠” Bolyshev
  • Ilya “⁠Perfecto⁠” Zalutskiy
  • Vadim “⁠tO0RO⁠” Arkov
  • Vladimir “⁠b1st⁠” Krasikov

The VP roster has not won anything significant since 2023, despite being one of the most feared teams at the beginning of CS2. Even with a plethora of roster changes, the team has failed to live up to the expectations, but the organization has not backed down and instead invested in an academy roster. Only time will tell if the fruits of their labour yield anything.

2XKO Patch 1.0.1.2 Brings Fixes for Ekko, Warwick, Yasuo, & More

Riot Games has announced a new update for its upcoming competitive fighting game, 2XKO, and it’s set to feature a range of bug fixes for multiple Champions alongside several other adjustments.

The 2XKO 1.0.1.2 Patch, which is scheduled to go live on October 21, 2025, brings with it several bug fixes involving Ekko, Yasuo, and Warwick, while also improving the game’s Champion Mastery system and the rotating shop.

As confirmed by Riot in a recent blog post, the 2XKO servers will be temporarily taken down for maintenance between 9 am and 1 pm PT on the same day as the devs roll out the new patch. Online play will be completely unavailable during the maintenance period, but players will be able to enjoy the game offline.

Without further ado, let’s check out the detailed patch notes of the 2XKO 1.0.1.2 update.

2XKO Patch Notes 1.0.1.2

Below, we’ve listed the full patch notes for the 2XKO 1.0.1.2 patch, as disclosed by Riot:

Collision

  • Champions no longer pass through each other unexpectedly, particularly when in the corner and using Assists.
    • This change was especially noticeable with corner-stealing moves, such as Ekko’s Phase Dive or Warwick’s Wrath of the Beast with multiple champions on-screen.
  • Champions no longer become “trapped” when at the center of the screen and pinned between two champions, and can now be pushed as normal.
  • Champions starting on the left (Player 1 side) and right (Player 2 side) now have the same corner priority properties when performing a corner steal with Assists.

Champions

Ekko

  • Fixed a bug where Arcane Ekko would sometimes leave behind a smoke effect after Attempt #37 (Ultimate).

Warwick

  • Warwick no longer flies away after Handshake Tagging out of Spinning Slicer in Freestyle Fuse. Goodbye, updog.
  • Warwick’s Ankle SwipePrimal Leap combos no longer drop on Yasuo.

Yasuo

  • Yasuo’s Turbulent Wind now applies damage scaling correctly, lowering his damage output for his common combos and routes.
    • Damage scaling applies on the second and third hit, totalling 20%.

Miscellaneous

  • Added a widget to the main menu that shows current server status and upcoming downtime.
    Fixed a bug that was causing crashes when entering the Champion Select screen.
  • Fixed a bug that was causing users to frequently disconnect from matches.
  • Fixed a bug where users were getting stuck on the rank promotion screen that appears at the end of rank-up matches. Pressing the confirmation button will now skip the animation properly.
  • Fixed a bug that was causing memory leaks when playing consecutive matches.
  • Fixed a bug where Ranked points were displayed incorrectly on the Grandmaster leaderboard.

ESL Reveals 2028 CS2 Event Dates

ESL has been one of the greatest, if not the greatest, tournament organizers for Counter-Strike throughout multiple iterations of the game. They are known for hosting popular events, especially the Intel Extreme Masters and Pro League.

As they have continued to bring memorable events, ESL has laid out its plans for Counter-Strike for 2028, well in advance of the 2025 season’s conclusion. According to the Tweet, ESL plans to run 6 events in 2028 that will be part of the ESL Pro Tour for Tier 1 of competitive CS2.

Many critics continue to double down on the fact that CS2 is a dead game despite a thriving player base and competitive scene. Major TOs like ESL expanding their plans years in advance goes to show how much the industry has faith in what others consider to be running on its last legs.

ESL’s 2028 event schedule is as follows:

  • Event #1 – January 26-Feb 6
  • Event #2 – March 3-19
  • Event #3 – April 10-16
  • Event #4 – August 2-13
  • Event #5 – September 16-October 1
  • Event #6 – October 23-29

These events are announced for Tier 1 alone, but ESL has been known to be active in the lower tiers of competition, where we find lesser-known teams and academy rosters. While the announcement doesn’t cover said areas of competition, we can only assume that ESL plans to continue organizing events for up-and-comers.

ElectroNic Reunites with S1mple

Denis “⁠electroNic⁠” Sharipov has reunited with Oleksandr “⁠s1mple⁠” Kostyliev after agreeing to a move out of Virtus.pro’s bench to join BC Game.

Arguably one of the greatest duos to ever grace Counter-Strike, electroNic and s1mple shared the stage for 6 years in NAVI colors, winning some of the most notable honours and etching their names in the history of the game.

Since the release of CS2, both players have fallen below their usual standards, with s1mple going off the radar until his return to tier-1, marked by a brief stint with FaZe and Falcons. electroNic, on the other hand, spent his time on unsuccessful rosters until he was benched from his IGL role in Virtus.pro.

BC.Game has been quietly acquiring top talent in the hopes of building a roster that would reach tier-1 at some point. While signing s1mple was far from quiet, electroNic’s addition would definitely draw the world’s attention to them.

BC.Game are now:

  • Aleksandar “⁠CacaNito⁠” Kjulukoski
  • Oleksandr “⁠s1mple⁠” Kostyliev
  • Andreas “⁠aNdu⁠” Maasing
  • Denis “⁠electroNic⁠” Sharipov
  • Nemanja “⁠nexa⁠” Isaković
  • Luka “⁠emi⁠” Vuković (coach)

It is hard to when which tournament they plan to take part in next, but it goes without saying that this roster will be closely monitored by the CS community, given the names that will be donning BC.Game’s colors. Whether this will work or not, only time can tell, but till then, we can get a few more matches with s1mple and electroNic as teammates.

How to Increase Trust Factor in CS2?

If you are a serious CS2 player and want to rank up consistently, you definitely need a good Trust Factor. Otherwise, you will end up matching with blatant hackers. Improving your Trust Factor in Counter-Strike 2 relies on consistently positive behavior, reliable teamwork, and maintaining a clean competitive record. In this article, we will explain how to increase your Trust Factor in Counter-Strike 2.

What is the Trust Factor in CS2?

Trust Factor is Valve’s proprietary matchmaking metric designed to pair players based on behavioral and performance signals. A higher Trust Factor means:

  • More balanced matches, reducing the risk of disruptive teammates or opponents.
  • Shorter queue times, as you’re matched with well-behaved players.
  • Greater access to competitive lobbies and Prime-only servers.

Trust Factor considers multiple data points, including VAC history, reported behavior, and in-game performance.

How to Increase the Trust Factor in CS2?

How to Increase Trust Factor in CS2

To increase your Trust Factor, follow the steps mentioned below:

  • Avoid Cheating and VAC Bans
    • Cheating or trying hacks instantly damages your Trust Factor. VAC bans are permanent and greatly lower your standing. Only using authentic software and not taking unsafe downloads is of utmost importance.
  • Respect the Rules
    • Avoid map glitching, unauthorized config usage, or other actions that go against Valve’s Terms of Service. Adhering to community guidelines shows you are reliable.
  • Communicate Constructively
    • Utilize in-game voice and text chat to communicate tactical intelligence instead of arguments or harassment. A single useful callout can counteract multiple unfavorable interactions in the Trust Factor calculation.
  • Reduce Toxicity
    • Steer clear of cursing, personal insults, or intentional griefing (e.g., teamkilling, blocking teammates). Positive interactions across the board indicate teamwork and sportsmanship.
  • Take part in Official Events and Workshops
    • Playing Valve-sponsored game modes or workshop maps demonstrates active, involved participation. It also varies your play, providing more behavioral information for the Trust Factor system.
  • Report Responsibly
    • Use the report feature sensibly. Reporting obvious griefing, cheating, or harassment allows Valve to uphold integrity without distorting information through unnecessary complaints.
  • Play Full Matches
    • Leaving matches or constant AFKing reduces your Trust Factor. Stick with playing out rounds-even if the result appears fixed-to show sportsmanship.
  • Balance Skill and Challenge
    • Continuously beating foes by an outlandish margin could initiate detrimental matchmaking signals. Gradually seek improvement, and try switching to a skill-proportionate lobby if winning or losing streaks become outlandish.
  • Secure Your Account
    • Turn Steam Guard on, use secure passwords, and don’t share logins. Hacked accounts can earn actions you didn’t do, hurting your Trust Factor.
  • Check VAC and Game Ban Status
    • Log in to your Steam account periodically to check for bans. Dealing with payment issues or community infractions quickly avoids lingering negative flags on your record.
  • Prime Matchmaking
    • Associating a confirmed phone number and becoming Prime status not only opens Prime-only servers but also increases your base Trust Factor – Valve considers confirmed players more trustworthy.

            Building and maintaining a high Trust Factor in CS2 is a gradual process rooted in fair play, positive communication, and consistent participation. By integrating these practices into every match, you’ll enjoy more reliable matchmaking, cleaner games, and a more rewarding overall experience.

            How to Play 1v1 in CS2?

            1v1 is something CS2 players often turn to when settling arguments, but the game itself does not offer any dedicated game mode that allows players to do so. While seasoned players know all the workarounds, newbies will have a more difficult time finding out how they can set up 1v1s with their friends.

            As mentioned before, CS2 offers no direct methods to set up 1v1; there are a few workarounds. In this article, we will discuss every possible way you can set up a 1v1 with a friend and settle your argument then and there.

            How to Play 1v1 in CS2?

            Head over to the Counter-Strike Workshops, where you can find a plethora of maps developed for 1v1 matches. These maps are smaller, uniform, and offer a fair ground for both players to have the best conditions for a 1v1.

            How to Play 1v1 in CS2

            These maps are typically less graphics-heavy and can run fairly well on most low-end systems, but there is a major drawback. One of the players must be the one hosting the server, and the other one should be joining, which will make the networking conditions unfavorable for the latter unless the match is being hosted on a LAN server.

            To set up a 1v1 in a workshop map, follow the steps mentioned below:

            • Download a Map from the CS Workshop.
            • Pick a 1v1 map to your liking and download it.
            • Invite your friend to your lobby and start the map.

            Community Maps are a great way to enjoy 1v1 matches, but there are a couple of caveats to it. Not every region has 1v1 community servers within an acceptable ping, and even if there are said servers, it is hard to find empty ones so that you and your buddy can enjoy your 1v1 in peace.

            To set up 1v1 in a community server, follow the steps mentioned below:

            • Head over to the Community Map browser.
            • Type ‘1v1’ in the Search Box.
            • Look for a server with the best ping and preferably with no players.
            • Join and share the IP with your friend. (For IP, enter “status” in the console)

            If you want to set up your own server, follow these steps:

            • Launch CS2
            • Click on ‘Play’.
            • Head over to ‘Matchmaking’ > ‘Private Matchmaking’.
            • Click on ‘Share Code’.
            • Send the code to your friends.
            • Ask your friends to click on the ‘Manually Enter a Code’ button from the left-hand side menu of ‘Private Matchmaking’ and paste your code. 
            • Once your friends are in the lobby, hit ‘Go’.

            These are the most common ways of setting up 1v1s in CS2. While they may not be ideal solutions, there is little outside of this that you can do. 3rd party websites also offer 1v1 maps, but that is a topic for another article.

            How to Watch Demo in CS2?

            Counter-Strike 2 has dramatically enhanced the demo-watch experience over its predecessor, turning what was previously a maddening feature into a highly effective tool for player development and analysis. No matter whether you are watching your own play, learning from pro matches, or producing content, becoming proficient with the demo system is crucial to anyone serious about CS2.

            Demos are in-game recordings that record all actions from matches in .dem format, from which you can replay them from the perspective of any player. Unlike regular screen recordings, demos give you total freedom to see what each player was doing at any given time, from any angle. This makes them extremely useful for detecting mistakes, following enemy behavior patterns, learning tactics, and even finding cheaters.​

            How to Watch Demo in CS2?

            The easiest method of viewing your recent matches is directly through CS2’s internal interface. Go to the “Watch Matches and Tournaments” tab at the top left of the CS2 main menu. Here, you can look at your previous 8 matches in Premier, Competitive, and Wingman modes.​​

            Sadly, CS2 only keeps these 8 latest matches, so download demos shortly after playing if you wish to save them. When you’ve discovered the match you’d like to watch, tap the green “Download” button, bottom right. Once downloaded, the demo will be in the “Downloads” tab at the top, where you can view it from the beginning or skip to certain rounds by clicking on them in the interface.

            Note: Download your demos as soon as possible after playing to prevent loss of access.

            Marvel Rivals Announces PvE Zombie Mode: Release Date & Details Revealed

            NetEase has answered the prayers of many in the Marvel Rivals community by announcing a brand-new PvE Zombie mode for its hero shooter.

            The new Marvel Rivals Zombies game mode was announced shortly after the game’s October 16 update. For the uninitiated, the latest Marvel Rivals update surprise-dropped a new in-game voice changer feature that lets players tweak how they sound in voice chat without having to rely on third-party software, adding an extra layer of fun to team comms.

            The announcement video for the Marvel Zombies mode, which was dropped in collaboration with Marvel Animation, revealed the first looks at the new game mode while also confirming its release date.

            Marvel Rivals Zombie Mode Release Date

            As already confirmed by NetEase, the Marvel Zombies game mode will officially be added to Marvel Rivals with the game’s next update, which is set to hit the live servers on October 23, 2025.

            Alongside adding the new PvE game mode, the update is also expected to bring additional rewards and cosmetics for players to enjoy.

            Marvel Rivals Zombie Mode Details Revealed

            Marvel Rivals Executive Producer Danny Koo and Head of Streaming, Television, and Animation at Marvel Studios, Brad Winderbaum, disclosed the details of the new Marvel Rivals Zombie game mode in their latest announcement video.

            “In this Marvel Zombies-inspired mode, you get to play as Thor, Blade, Magik, Jeff, and The Punisher, taking on endless waves of zombies,” Koo said when explaining this new PvE mode coming to Marvel Rivals. “You’ll have to survive the horde, go toe-to-toe with Zombie Namor and The Queen of the Dead as bosses, and fight to save the world from getting totally zombified.”

            The heroes in this mode have been slightly reworked from their original versions, each featuring unique abilities designed to help them survive the zombie hordes.

            Lastly, the developers also offered fans a sneak peek at the Marvel Rivals PvE Zombie mode, available to watch in the official announcement video.