Counter-Strike 2 does not include an official co-op mission or a mission 1. Co-op missions were a CS:GO feature tied to Operations, and Valve has not released an Operation for CS2.
Where did CS:GO co-op missions go?
Co-op play appeared in CS:GO through Operation Wildfire in 2016, which focused on co-op Guardian missions, and Operation Hydra in 2017, which added War Games modes, weekly progression and Co-op Strike missions. Counter-Strike 2 launched without either mode and has not added them since, and the last real Operation, Riptide, ended in February 2022.
Can you still play co-op missions in CS2?
Only through community content. Creators build co-op mission maps and share them on the Steam Workshop. One example is Operation Lazarus on the community map Wild, a hostage rescue mission against Phoenix mercenaries. To try one, subscribe to the map on the Workshop and follow the setup steps on its page.
What to play instead
For a two-player mode, Wingman pairs you with a teammate in short matches. For solo practice, load a Workshop map offline and play against bots.
A short history of Counter-Strike Operations
To understand why CS2 has no mission 1, it helps to know what Operations were. An Operation was a limited-time content release in CS:GO. It usually added community maps, a weapon case, a collectible coin and a set of missions, and it ran for several months. Counter-Strike had eleven official Operations between 2013 and 2022. Typical ones included Operation Payback in 2013, Bravo, Phoenix and Breakout in 2013 and 2014 (Breakout introduced the Butterfly Knife), Vanguard from late 2014 to early 2015 with campaign-style missions, Bloodhound in 2015 with two cases and coin progression, Wildfire in 2016, Hydra in 2017, Shattered Web, Broken Fang and finally Riptide in 2021.
Each Operation changed the format a little. Vanguard expanded the mission system with campaigns. Wildfire made co-op Guardian missions a major feature. Hydra added War Games modes, weekly progression and Co-op Strike missions, and it was the last old-style Operation before a gap of more than two years. Shattered Web then introduced agent skins and a star system that let players earn stars from missions and spend them on specific rewards. Riptide, in September 2021, brought the Dust2, Train, Vertigo and Mirage collections into the game and ended in February 2022. It remains the most recent real Operation, and Valve has not released one for CS2 as of 2026.
What Co-op Strike and Guardian missions were
Co-op Strike was the more ambitious of the two co-op ideas. Two players worked through a story-driven scenario against an AI-controlled terrorist team, with objectives and set pieces instead of a simple holding action. Guardian missions were different: one or two players defended a position against waves of bots on a standard map, usually a map such as Dust or Mirage. Both existed because Counter-Strike is a team game, and Valve wanted a way for friends to play together without facing human opponents.
Valve built a limited selection of official co-op maps and then left the rest to the community. Workshop maps carrying the coop_ prefix multiplied quickly, and a good number of them were more elaborate than the official set. Some creators made full multi-chapter campaigns, and players still remember them. Titles such as Harbor Complex, Maze 2 and Virus Outbreak became staples for friends who wanted to play together.
Why CS2 launched without co-op missions
Counter-Strike 2 launched in 2023 without Co-op Strike, Guardian missions or Operations. The technical explanation is that the game was rebuilt on a new engine from the ground up. The practical explanation is that Valve focused on the competitive side first. Without a seasonal pass and a mission card, the co-op maps also lost the structure that gave them a reason to exist. Some players argue co-op was always a side dish in such a competitive game. The result is that the CS:GO entry in co-op databases lists the mode as removed.
What dataminers have found
Players have watched for signs that co-op might return. In 2023, data miners found lines of code that referenced co-op missions, seasonal medals and a possible comic book in the files of the CS2 beta. In August 2024, new lines related to missions or quests inside operations appeared after an update. Commentators have repeated these finds in articles about when the first CS2 Operation might come. None of this is an announcement. Code in the files shows that an idea has been explored, not that it will ship, and Valve has not confirmed any co-op plan.
How community co-op missions work in CS2
The community has started to fill the gap. A creator named Maxime built Operation Lazarus, a co-op mission on the community map Wild, in which the player rescues hostages captured by Phoenix mercenaries in an abandoned military facility converted into a hidden lab. The project includes Operation-style main menu elements, a progress card, a co-op cutscene and a combat sequence. Players start it by subscribing to the map on the Steam Workshop and then entering a set of commands in the developer console, which the creator lists on the map page. Other creators have posted similar missions with titles such as Lockdown, Unearthed and Silent Dawn. Quality varies, so read the comments before you play.
How to try a community co-op mission
- Open the Counter-Strike 2 Workshop and search for co-op or mission maps.
- Read the map page for setup steps, since many need console commands or a specific mode.
- Subscribe to the map and wait for it to download.
- Launch the map from the Workshop maps menu or the console, and invite a friend if the mission supports two players.
- Check the comments for bugs and for any required settings.
Because these maps are unofficial, they can break after a game update. If a map does not load, check the page for a new version.
What to play if you want an official two-player mode
Wingman is the closest official mode. It is a short 2v2 competitive format on small maps, and it gives you a quick way to play with a friend. For practice against bots, you can load a Workshop or official map offline and add bots, which is useful for learning grenades and recoil control. If you want structure, the competitive and premier modes give you ranks and seasons, but they are not co-op.
Common myths about CS2 missions
- Myth: CS2 has a mission 1 you can start from the main menu. Fact: there is no official mission list in CS2.
- Myth: an Operation is coming this month. Fact: Valve has not announced one.
- Myth: the CS:GO co-op maps work in CS2. Fact: the engine change means old maps need to be ported, and not every map has been.
- Myth: Wingman is co-op against bots. Fact: it is a 2v2 competitive mode.
Quick recap
- CS2 has no official co-op missions, Co-op Strike or Operations.
- CS:GO co-op belonged to Operations such as Wildfire (2016) and Hydra (2017).
- Community creators publish co-op mission maps on the Steam Workshop.
- Wingman is the nearest official two-player mode, and it is 2v2 competitive.
- Valve has not announced a CS2 Operation as of 2026.
Key terms
- Operation: a limited-time CS:GO content release with maps, missions and a weapon case.
- Co-op Strike: a two-player story mission against AI terrorists.
- Guardian: a co-op mission type built around defending against bot waves.
- Workshop: the Steam hub where players share community maps.
Frequently asked questions
How many co-op missions does CS2 have?
None officially. Only community-made co-op mission maps exist.
Is a CS2 Operation coming?
As of 2026 Valve has not released one. Data miners have found mission-related code, but nothing is confirmed.
Which CS:GO Operations had co-op missions?
Operation Wildfire (2016) and Operation Hydra (2017) are the main ones.
What was Co-op Strike?
A two-player story scenario against an AI-controlled terrorist team in CS:GO.
Where can I find community co-op missions for CS2?
On the Steam Workshop, searching for co-op or mission maps.