There are a couple of maps in CS:GO that were not that popular before, even though they had plenty of fans in CS 1.6. Cobblestone is probably one of them because it used to be one of the go-to options for every big tournament during CS 1.6.
Nowadays, the map has become one of the common options for some teams because it offers a lot of options. Cobblestone is different from other maps because it is huge and provides loads of space for people to be innovative.
De_cbble (the 1.6 name for Cobble’s map) was popular back in the day as a bomb defusal map that people can play casually or in a deathmatch. In other words, the map is not that popular among pro players. There were times when Cobblestone was a part of pro CS:GO events, but for now, the map is not on the radar.
Nevertheless, de_cbble is a fantastic map that deserves more attention, and we will go over it in this review. We’ve tried to share more information about the map’s history and one of its most significant features.
The history
Some maps in the Counter-Strike universe have a rich history behind them, and Cobblestone is definitely one of them. According to the official information, this map was created by Dave Johnston, a software engineer who lives in the UK. He is also responsible for some other popular maps in the game – de_dust and de_dust2.
The idea of Dave Johnston was to create a map based on a castle. Unsurprisingly, the first attempt to do that resulted in a map that only old-school CS players remember – cs_csttle. Even though it was interesting, the map was too big, even for casual players. It was full of tunnels and other objects that did not fit well.
Since the developer was not happy with his product, he decided to try once again and came up with de_cbble. The map experienced a couple of changes over the years, but it remained almost the same as the original one. Of course, the new versions of CS, such as Source and Condition Zero added some graphic changes, but this was pretty much it.
Cobblestone in CS:GO
Even though Cobblestone was not a part of the game when it was launched, things changed a couple of years later. There was an update known as the Winter Offensive, which took place on 18th December 2013. This was when the game became available to CS: GO players.
Unsurprisingly, the map changed a lot in many ways. The graphics were stunning (at least for the time when it became available), and there were loads of additional changes. Even though the T’s side remained almost the same, there were many new objects on the B bombsite. In fact, Valve even added a new connector, as well as loads of places where people can hide.
Interestingly, both Ts and CTs received two blue toilets in which people could hide. Unfortunately, once a player was inside, the indicator stated that the toiled was occupied. In other words, the enemies will always know that someone is inside.
Despite the huge interest in the map when it became available, it had a lot of flaws. There were too many places where players could hide, and Cobblestone was definitely better for the CT side. This led to several updates in the following months, which tried to balance the map.
Valve removed some unnecessary objects (including some toilets). What’s more, they’ve changed some bomb sites so that the Ts have more opportunities of pushing without getting caught by an enemy AWPer. As expected, there were also numerous big changes to places, such as the Sniper room (near the T spawn).
Cobblestone update from 2015
There were a couple of important updates since Cobblestone became available in CS:GO. However, the one that stood out took place in February 2015, and it gave us access to loads of new things.
Some of the most impressive changes were the change to the spiral staircase, the addition of more covers, and so on. All of these changes made the map more popular and tried to balance the T and the CT sides. Unsurprisingly, there were a couple of smaller updates after that whose job was to remove certain things that players exploited.
An AWPers dream
Every map that provides loads of open spaces is usually the one where AWP players feel most comfortable. Therefore, it shouldn’t be surprising that Cobblestone is one of the best maps for every AWP player, especially on the CT side.
Since this map is so big, it allows players to stay miles away and land crucial kills on the opposing team. There are loads of spots where AWP players can hide on both sites. In fact, there are cases where the Ts have an advantage, especially if they decide to rush the A site.
You can watch loads of YouTube videos about how to position yourself properly while playing on Cobblestone as an AWPer. There are a couple of angles that will help you get at least a few kills, if not more. Of course, you should always keep in mind that the opposing team’s AWPer also has a few tricks up his sleeve.
Conclusion
Cobblestone is definitely one of the iconic maps in Counter-Strike that has its role in every version of the game. The map is by no means perfect, but it is different, which makes it many people’s favorite option.
Nowadays, the map is not popular among professional CS:GO players because it is not on the same level as things like Nuke or Dust 2. Despite that, many people continue to play on de_cbble on a daily basis because the map offers a unique design. Of course, it is also one of the best for every AWP player.
No one knows whether Cobblestone will appear in professional CS:GO in the future. However, since the map already played a part in this game, it is probably just a matter of time before it becomes available.
