molodoy took part in a blind ranking format and ranked ten Counter-Strike maps without knowing which one would appear next. As a result, the highest positions went to two classic and at the same time most popular maps — Dust II and Mirage, while Vertigo ended up at the very bottom of the list.
Dust II received first place
molodoy placed Dust II highest — one of the most recognizable maps in Counter-Strike history. He gave second place to Mirage, so the top of the ranking was formed by two maps that have remained among the most frequently used for years both in regular matchmaking and on the professional scene.
Such a start looks quite traditional even for a blind format. Both maps have a clear structure, a lot of room for individual play, and are well known to practically every professional player.
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Inferno and Ancient followed next
molodoy gave third place to Inferno and fourth to Ancient. Thus, the first four positions were taken by maps that have regularly been present in the professional map pool over recent years and often make it to actual play after the veto.
Inferno traditionally provides a lot of room for tactical battles and utility work, while Ancient depends more heavily on control of key areas and quick rotations. Their placement next to each other in the ranking clearly shows that molodoy rates maps with quite different styles highly.
Nuke closed the first half of the ranking
Nuke was placed fifth. The map remained exactly in the middle of the top ten and did not fall either among the favorites or among the least desired options.
Sixth place went to Cache, which after its return is once again gradually finding its place in modern Counter-Strike. In the blind ranking, it ended up above Anubis, Overpass, Cobblestone, and Vertigo.
Anubis received only seventh place
molodoy placed Anubis in seventh position. For a map that had long been part of the active professional pool, this is a fairly low placement, especially compared to Cache, which returned much later.
At the same time, the specifics of a blind ranking always affect the final order. The player does not know which maps are still left, so an early decision can force him to leave stronger or weaker options in positions that can no longer be changed.
Overpass and Cobblestone remained near the bottom
Overpass received eighth place, while Cobblestone took ninth. Both maps have a strong historical association with professional Counter-Strike, but in molodoy’s personal ranking they could not rise higher.
Cobblestone looks especially interesting, as for many players it remains one of the most nostalgic maps from older versions of the game. However, in this particular list, even the nostalgia factor did not help it avoid the penultimate position.
Vertigo became last
molodoy gave tenth place to Vertigo. It closed the ranking and became the lowest-rated map among all ten options included in the selection.
The final order looks as follows: Dust II, Mirage, Inferno, Ancient, Nuke, Cache, Anubis, Overpass, Cobblestone, and Vertigo. What is most telling is that even in a random format, Dust II and Mirage remained at the top — two maps that have long become the main classic symbols of Counter-Strike.
