The return of Anubis to the active CS2 map pool has sparked renewed discussion following an in-depth comment from donk. In a Team Spirit vlog, one of the brightest players of the modern scene not only supported the update but also explained why he considers the current version of Anubis fundamentally stronger than Train in terms of round structure and side balance.
donk’s position: why Anubis is a step forward
donk stated directly that, for him, the choice between the two maps is obvious. In his view, the Anubis update solves several systemic issues that had long affected gameplay quality:
I know for a fact that Anubis is better than Train. I think it’s a really good update. At the start of the round, the new window actually balanced the timings for both sides and fixed the situation where the T-side had to use an extra smoke to hold water — and that didn’t always work.
He identifies the new mid window as the key change. According to him, it forces teams to rethink map control from the very first seconds of the round and reduces the bias toward the attacking side.
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Slower pace and utility shortage
donk also placed strong emphasis on the pace of the game, which noticeably slows down after the update. In his opinion, this is a positive factor for balance:
The map’s pace will slow down significantly: rounds will end much later, and the T-side will have fewer grenades. This evens out the issue of A and B sites being so small, because you spend a molotov at the start of the round — to go into mid or cave — and you’re left with almost no mollies for the late round.
He further explained that one of the main problems of the old Anubis was the T-side’s ability to freely use two or three molotovs to clear positions on the site. Now, the situation has changed:
Anubis’ main issue used to be that the T-side could throw two or three molotovs and you had nowhere to stand on the site. Now you need an extra molotov at the start of the round, so that problem is less severe. Even with the new window, you just don’t have the extra nade to use it there consistently.
Community reaction: appreciation for both gameplay and personality
After the vlog was published, the discussion quickly moved beyond the update itself. In the comments, users reacted not only to donk’s thoughts on Anubis but also to his calm, structured, and very mature way of explaining things.
Among the most liked reactions:
- “I haven’t even watched the video yet, but I’m sure Miroslav carried it. Miroslav is prime.”
- “Thanks to whoever got Mirik talking — it’s incredibly interesting to listen to him.”
- “It’s really pleasant to listen to Miroslav: clear, well-structured speech always stands out.”
- “It’s so good listening to him — clear thoughts, no fluff.”
Some fans also highlighted the mental aspect and donk’s influence on the team:
- “He seems to infect everyone with his calmness — it genuinely boosts team morale.”
- “You can see how much better the guys handle themselves in stressful matches.”
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Context: Anubis as a symbol of the new CS2
donk’s comments fit neatly into the broader direction of CS2’s development — a game with a slower pace, stricter utility management, and a higher cost for decisions made at the very start of a round. In this sense, Anubis after the update looks not just like a returning map, but like an example of how Valve envision balance in modern Counter-Strike.
And considering the arguments from one of the scene’s key players alongside the overwhelmingly positive community response, Anubis’ return to the map pool increasingly looks like a deliberate and well-judged step forward.
