Counter-Strike 2: The 8 Best Smoke Lineups On Mirage

Volumetric smokes have reshaped the strategic landscape of Counter-Strike 2, making mastery of smoke lineups a critical skill for controlling the map. Mirage remains a staple in the Counter-Strike 2 map pool, and effective use of smokes can decisively influence gameplay on this popular map.

Navigating the variety of potential smoke lineups, from essential spots like Window and Jungle to Connector, can seem daunting. To streamline your learning and application, this article will focus on the top eight smoke lineups on Mirage in CS2, offering you the tactical edge you need to dominate key map positions. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the scene, mastering these lineups can enhance your strategic play significantly.

#8: Window Smoke, T-Spawn

Gaining mid-control is crucial for Terrorists on Mirage, as it opens strategic routes to both the A and B sites. A key tactic involves neutralizing the Window position, commonly defended by an enemy sniper.

To effectively smoke the Window from T-Spawn in CS2, position yourself next to the trash can at T-Spawn. Aim your crosshair just above the railing, aligning it with the white part of the door frame. Execute a jump-throw to ensure the smoke sails accurately into the Window. This technique, while simple, is potent and doesn’t require extensive practice to perfect, allowing you to swiftly block a common AWP position and secure mid with ease.

#7: Crossing Smoke/Top-mid Smoke, T-Spawn

The Crossing or Top-mid smoke from T-Spawn is an essential tactic for Terrorists aiming to safely maneuver across to the Cart area on Mirage, protecting them from the AWP typically positioned in the Window. This smoke is particularly useful when your team is seeking to establish control in mid but has not yet committed to a site push.

To deploy this smoke, climb onto the trash can at T-Spawn—this elevated position differs slightly from the one used for the Window smoke. Once atop the trash can, align your crosshair with the top-right corner of the antenna visible in the skyline. This precise placement ensures that the smoke blankets the top-mid area effectively, allowing your teammates to cross to strategic positions without exposure to sniper fire from the Window, setting the stage for a potential site takeover.

#6: Connector Smoke, T-Spawn

Securing mid control on Mirage is crucial, and the Connector smoke from T-Spawn is vital for teams planning a Mid-to-B rush. This smoke is designed to obscure the view of enemies stationed near the Connector or the Triple Boxes, preventing them from thwarting your team’s advance through middle.

To execute this smoke, position yourself at the corner before the stairs leading to the TV Room. From there, find the white line in the center of the rug as your reference point. Aim precisely at this line and perform a jump-throw. This technique ensures that the smoke grenade lands directly inside the Connector, effectively cutting off enemy sightlines and safeguarding your team as they move through this critical juncture of the map.

#5: A Stairs Smoke, T-Spawn

Deploying a smoke at the A Stairs from T-Spawn is an effective strategy to assist teammates advancing from Palace with the aim of securing control over the A site. This tactic allows for safer peeks and setups for potential engagements on the site.

To effectively smoke A Stairs, position yourself at the beginning of the door frame along the wall at T-Spawn. Once in position, target the top of the distant building visible straight ahead. Execute a jump-throw to ensure your smoke reaches its intended destination over the stairs area. It’s crucial to coordinate this smoke with a Jungle smoke to maximize its effectiveness and provide comprehensive coverage that limits the enemies’ defensive visibility and maneuverability on the A site.

#4: CT Smoke, T-Spawn

When orchestrating an A site takeover on Mirage, mastering the CT Smoke from T-Spawn is essential. This smoke is crucial for covering the CT Spawn angle, facilitating a safer plant at the default site and providing a strategic advantage during post-plant scenarios.

The technique for throwing the CT Smoke remains consistent from CS: GO to CS2. To execute it, position yourself next to the railings at T-Spawn. Once in place, direct your crosshair towards the edge of the wall in line with the CT area. Perform a jump-throw to ensure that the smoke grenade travels the distance and effectively blankets the CT Spawn. This strategic use of smoke limits the visibility of defending CTs, significantly boosting your team’s chances of securing the site and defending it successfully after the bomb is planted.

#3: B Market Smoke, Back Alley

Executing a B Market or Kitchen Smoke from the Back Alley is a pivotal move when aiming to assault the B site on Mirage. Positioned correctly, this smoke can obstruct the vision from Market, allowing your team to push or rush the site more effectively. Pairing this smoke with strategic flashes can further disorient the opposition and pave the way for a successful site takeover.

To deploy this smoke, position yourself at the right corner of the wall just past the TV Room. Target your crosshair at the apex where the two walls converge overhead. Once your aim is set, perform a jump-throw to launch the smoke grenade. The correct execution will see the smoke landing just outside the Market window, creating a visual barrier that shields your team’s movements into the B site and disrupts the defensive setup of any opponents stationed in or around Market.

#2: A Jungle/Connector Smoke, T-Spawn

Securing the A site on Mirage often requires comprehensive smoke coverage, with the Jungle and Connector smoke playing a crucial role alongside others like the A Stairs smoke. This specific smoke helps obscure key defensive positions that could hinder your team’s advance.

To execute the Jungle/Connector smoke, position yourself at the same spot used for the A Stairs smoke, which consolidates your smoke throws and simplifies the process for your teammates. Once in position, adjust your crosshair to where the rope meets the wall, a landmark that can typically be identified in visual references like photos or videos.

With your crosshair properly set, execute a jump-throw. This technique ensures the smoke grenade sails through the air and lands precisely between the stairs, Jungle, and Connector areas. This placement effectively blocks vision from these critical angles, shielding your team as they make their push onto the A site and providing a strategic advantage in taking and holding the site.

#1: B Short Smoke, Back Alley

The B Short smoke is a crucial tactical element for taking control on Mirage in Counter-Strike 2, especially useful for operations on the B site. Conveniently, this smoke is thrown from the same location as the B Market smoke, simplifying your utility usage by consolidating throwing positions.

To effectively deploy this smoke, aim your crosshair at the top-left corner of the distant building while standing in the designated spot used for the Market smoke. Perform a standard throw to send the smoke grenade on its trajectory. Precision is key here; a slight deviation in crosshair placement can result in the smoke missing its intended mark, which might compromise the smoke screen’s effectiveness and leave your team exposed as they maneuver through B Short. Ensuring accuracy in your aim will help maintain the element of surprise and provide cover as your team advances.

Conclusion

Mastering the best smoke lineups on Mirage is essential for any competitive player looking to enhance their strategic gameplay in Counter-Strike 2. From obscuring key sightlines like Window and Connector to providing critical cover for pushes onto the A and B sites, each of these eight smoke lineups serves a unique purpose that can significantly impact the outcome of a round. By familiarizing yourself with these specific throws—from the T-Spawn to the Back Alley—you equip yourself and your team with the tools needed to execute precise and effective strategies. Whether you’re coordinating with a team or playing solo, understanding where and how to deploy these smokes can turn the tide of battle in your favor, making you a formidable opponent on one of CS2’s most iconic maps.