Counter-Strike 2 Update Changes Landing Speed Mechanics 

Valve has released a Counter-Strike 2 gameplay update that adjusts how player speed is affected after landing from jumps. The change, deployed on January 23, 2026, modifies movement physics by linking vertical landing velocity directly to post-landing speed reduction.

What Changed in the CS2 Update?

According to the official patch notes, vertical landing speed now affects movement slowdown in the same way stamina did under the sv_legacy_jump system.

In practical terms:

Hard landings (higher downward velocity) now result in greater speed loss

Softer landings preserve more horizontal momentum

The behavior mirrors legacy stamina-based jump mechanics from earlier Counter-Strike versions

This change applies universally to gameplay and does not require server-side configuration.

Why Valve Made This Change

This update continues Valve’s ongoing effort to refine movement consistency in CS2, following earlier adjustments to jumping, bunnyhopping, and subtick-based movement calculations.

By tying speed loss to actual physical impact rather than a fixed or hidden value, Valve is aligning CS2’s movement system more closely with:

Predictable physics behavior

Legacy Counter-Strike jump penalties

Skill-based movement control

Impact on Gameplay and Competitive Play

Competitive Matches

Drops from boxes, ledges, and elevated positions may now delay pushes or retakes

Movement timings after jumps are slightly more punishing

Clean, controlled movement is rewarded more consistently

Bunnyhopping and Advanced Movement

Sustaining speed after long drops is harder

Poorly timed or high-impact landings reduce momentum more noticeably

Players relying on optimized strafing and jump height control gain an advantage

KZ and Movement Maps

Some jumps may feel different due to increased landing penalties

Routes involving high vertical drops may require adjustment

Related CS2 Update Context

This gameplay tweak is part of a broader series of Counter-Strike 2 updates focused on:

Jump and landing consistency

Subtick movement behavior

Aligning CS2 mechanics more closely with legacy Counter-Strike feel

The same update also included non-gameplay fixes, such as stability improvements and corrections unrelated to movement.

What This Means for the CS2 Meta

While the change does not dramatically alter gunplay or core mechanics, it introduces small but meaningful differences in how players approach movement-heavy situations.

Over time, this may influence:

Entry timings on certain maps

Risk-reward decisions involving jumps and drops

The skill ceiling for optimized movement in CS2

Summary

The January 23, 2026 Counter-Strike 2 update introduces a landing-speed-based movement penalty, making vertical impact a key factor in post-jump momentum. By echoing legacy stamina mechanics through modern physics, Valve continues refining CS2’s movement model with a focus on consistency and competitive integrity.