Since the release of Counter-Strike 2, Valve has yet to introduce a brand-new operation. While CS2 continues to receive updates, collections, and gameplay changes, the iconic operation format remains absent. To understand what might come next, it helps to look back at the full history of Counter-Strike operations introduced during the CS:GO era.
Between 2013 and 2022, Valve released a total of eleven operations, each bringing new maps, missions, cases, and mechanics. Below is a complete breakdown of every Counter-Strike operation, how they worked, and why they mattered.
All Counter-Strike Operations Overview
# | Operation | Game | Start Date | End Date | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Operation Payback | CS:GO | Apr 25, 2013 | Aug 31, 2013 | First operation, community maps, operation coin |
2 | Operation Bravo | CS:GO | Sep 19, 2013 | Feb 5, 2014 | First operation case, structured missions |
3 | Operation Phoenix | CS:GO | Feb 20, 2014 | Jun 11, 2014 | Phoenix Case, competitive map pool |
4 | Operation Breakout | CS:GO | Jul 1, 2014 | Oct 2, 2014 | Butterfly Knife debut |
5 | Operation Vanguard | CS:GO | Nov 11, 2014 | Mar 31, 2015 | Campaign-style missions |
6 | Operation Bloodhound | CS:GO | May 26, 2015 | Oct 1, 2015 | Two cases, coin progression |
7 | Operation Wildfire | CS:GO | Feb 17, 2016 | Jul 15, 2016 | Guardian missions, co-op focus |
8 | Operation Hydra | CS:GO | May 23, 2017 | Nov 13, 2017 | War Games, weekly progression |
9 | Operation Shattered Web | CS:GO | Nov 18, 2019 | Mar 30, 2020 | Battle pass system, agents |
10 | Operation Broken Fang | CS:GO | Dec 3, 2020 | May 3, 2021 | Retakes mode, new gloves |
11 | Operation Riptide | CS:GO | Sep 21, 2021 | Feb 22, 2022 | Short matches, swimming mechanics |
12 | No Operations Yet | CS2 | — | — | Valve has not released a CS2 operation |
Operation Payback (2013)
Operation Payback was the very first CS:GO operation and laid the groundwork for everything that followed. It focused heavily on community-created maps and introduced the concept of the operation coin, which upgraded as players completed matches.
Weapon Case: None
Operation Bravo (2013–2014)
Bravo expanded the operation format with more curated content and became the first operation to introduce a dedicated weapon case. This marked the beginning of operations being closely tied to cosmetic releases.
Weapon Case: Operation Bravo Case
Operation Phoenix (2014)
Phoenix refined the mission system and brought several popular maps into rotation. It remains one of the most remembered early operations due to its strong skin lineup.
Weapon Case: Operation Phoenix Weapon Case
Operation Breakout (2014)
Breakout is legendary for introducing the Butterfly Knife, one of the most iconic knife types in Counter-Strike history. While missions were simple, the cosmetic impact of this operation was massive.
Weapon Case: Operation Breakout Weapon Case
Operation Vanguard (2014–2015)
Vanguard experimented with longer campaign-style missions designed to keep players engaged over multiple weeks, rather than quick daily objectives.
Weapon Case: Operation Vanguard Weapon Case
Operation Bloodhound (2015)
Bloodhound introduced a new progression system where players unlocked rewards by upgrading their operation coin. It was also the first operation to include two weapon cases.
Weapon Cases: Falchion Case, Shadow Case
Operation Wildfire (2016)
Wildfire leaned heavily into cooperative gameplay with Guardian missions and narrative-driven objectives. It also introduced maps that later influenced competitive reworks.
Weapon Case: Operation Wildfire Case
Operation Hydra (2017)
Hydra significantly changed the operation format by adding War Games modes, weekly progression, and co-op strike missions. It was the last operation before a long two-year hiatus.
Weapon Case: Operation Hydra Case
Operation Shattered Web (2019–2020)
After two years without operations, Shattered Web returned with a modern battle-pass structure. It also introduced player agents, permanently changing player customization.
Weapon Case: Shattered Web Case
Operation Broken Fang (2020–2021)
Broken Fang expanded on the battle-pass system and added Retakes mode to official matchmaking. It also introduced new collections and glove finishes.
Weapon Case: Operation Broken Fang Case
Operation Riptide (2021–2022)
Riptide was the final CS:GO operation before the transition to CS2. It introduced short competitive matches, swimming mechanics, and large-scale map updates.
Weapon Case: Operation Riptide Case
Conclusion
Throughout the CS:GO era, operations played a major role in shaping Counter-Strike’s content cycle, introducing new mechanics, maps, and some of the most iconic skins in the game’s history. Since the launch of CS2, players have been waiting for the first operation built specifically for the new engine.
Whether Valve plans to revive the classic operation format or continue experimenting with alternatives like The Armory remains unclear. For now, the legacy of CS:GO operations stands as a reminder of how much these updates once defined the Counter-Strike experience.
