Counter-Strike 2 saw video assistant referee (VAR) technology deployed for the first time in a competitive championship, marking a significant step in esports officiating during a match featuring unconventional gameplay modifiers.
The inaugural VAR review occurred last Wednesday, November 19, during a match at the All Star League (ASL) tournament. The incident involved player Láctea from Team Mafia, who used a flashbang despite his team being affected by a “Cortina de Fumaça” (Smoke Screen) card.
The “Cortina de Fumaça” card is designed to prohibit the targeted team from using utility items during a round. Láctea’s use of the flashbang triggered the VAR protocol, highlighting the need for real-time review in the face of complex in-game rules.
O PRIMEIRO VAR DO CS FOI ATIVADO!
O time do Láctea sofreu a carta "Cortina de Fumaça" onde o time adversário não pode utilizar utilitárias no round
E o Lactea usou 😂 pic.twitter.com/xtw4dm4sdA— ALL STAR LEAGUE (@allstarleaguecs) November 20, 2025
The match was between Team Intocáveis, led by Fernando “fer” Alvarenga, and Team Mafia, led by Ricardo “boltz” Prass. Team Intocáveis ultimately won the series 2-1.
The All Star League, organized by Luan “Jon Vlogs” Kovarik in partnership with a Brazilian esports federation and Imperial Esports, features a unique card-based system. This system introduces six distinct cards, each with direct effects on an opposing team’s gameplay.
Teams can play one card per half, with a total of three cards allowed per map in a best-of-three series. Other cards include “Golpe de Katana,” which eliminates an enemy player for one round, and “Tommy Gun,” which makes a round count double towards the final score.