"Magic" skybox molotov patched in latest CS:GO update *

Valve have put an end to back-and-forth discussions about whether the bugged incendiary should remain in the game.

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Update 10:00 : BLAST Premier World Final runs on previous patch

Upon inquiry, BLAST has revealed to HLTV that the World Final runs on an outdated CS:GO version. The so-called "magic" molotovs are thus still possible and allowed to be used at the Abu Dhabi event.

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A new CS:GO update has been released ahead of the BLAST Premier Global Final, in which Valve finally addresses a long-standing bug that allowed molotovs and incendiary grenades to fly longer than their intended two-second length.

The "magic molotov" bug occurred when an incendiary grenade or molotov passed over a 2D skybox at the same time that it was due to explode, allowing them to continue flying indefinitely as they are coded to not explode over or on a 2D skybox. The internal check as to whether a molotov should explode only happened once, and as such, the grenade could travel an unlimited distance if thrown with the right lineup.

The bug could be used on all maps, but rose to prominence and was most often utilized at the professional level on Ancient. Terrorists could molly middle — outside of donut — almost immediately from their spawn, forcing CTs to either waste a smoke instantly or attempt to contest middle from less comfortable angles.

The impact of this single molotov was enough that professional players and tournament organizers debated whether it should be allowed or not, with the majority of organizers allowing it to remain. ESL, for example, have explicitly allowed the bug to be used as stated in their rulebook, which says that "so called 'infinite' grenade distance throws" can be used.

BLAST, however, enforced a ban from using the molotov in their tournaments in September 2021, causing some confusion as a few teams were initially unaware of the ban, and most were used to practicing and playing around teams using it. BLAST currently allow the so-called magic molotovs, the organizers have confirmed to HLTV.

The issue around magic molotovs has been further compounded following Anubis' addition to the competitive rotation, with the map having numerous opportunities for the bug to be exploited. Oleksandr "⁠s1mple⁠" Kostyliev even spoke on how impactful the bug has been on the map ahead of the BLAST Global Final:

"I actually like Anubis and my teammates love this map as well, but Valve should fix a lot of bugs, like a lot," the Ukrainian sniper said. "There are around 15 molotovs that you can throw on the whole map, and I think teams like Heroic or Outsiders will do some interesting strats. There are a lot of molotovs like the Ancient one and it's weird because in some tournaments they can ban these, but at BLAST they were always allowed."

Editor's note: The molotovs were not always allowed by BLAST, as evidenced above.

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Valve have now addressed the issue and eliminated the bug entirely, stating in their patch notes that they have "fixed Molotov and Incendiary grenades not detonating in midair when flying over skybox areas."

Sticker capsules from the IEM Rio Major have also been discounted by 75% in the update, alongside changes to the map pools for Wingman and official matchmaking. The 2023 service medal has also been added to the game ahead of the new year.

You can find the complete patch notes below:

[ RIO 2022 ]
– Sticker capsules are now 75% off.

[ MISC ]
– Added 2023 Service Medal to be awarded for outstanding service and achievement starting from January 1, 2023 GMT.
– Fixed Molotov and Incendiary grenades not detonating in midair when flying over skybox areas.
– Fixed a case where some loading screen keybindings were not getting resolved correctly.

[ MAPS ]
– Boyard and Chalice are now available for official matchmaking in Wingman game mode.
– Blagai, Cascade, and Breach have been removed from official matchmaking.

Ember
– Autumn holidays are now over in Ember land.