Mirage is one of the best CS2 maps for learning structured utility. A small set of reliable smokes can give your team Mid control, remove the Window AWP, isolate Jungle and Stairs on A, or block Market during a B execute.
You do not need twenty complicated lineups immediately. Start with the grenades that repeatedly solve the same problems in Premier matches.
Official Mirage Smoke Lineups in CS2
The current in-game Mirage lineup set includes six core smoke targets:
| Official Target | Main Purpose |
|---|---|
| Window | Remove the main CT Mid AWP angle |
| Connector | Reduce CT influence between Mid and A |
| Cat | Control the route from Mid toward B |
| CT | Isolate the A-site rotation |
| T Ramp | Defensive smoke against A pressure |
| Apartments | Defensive smoke against B pressure |
Best Mirage Smokes to Learn First
| Priority | Smoke | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Window Smoke | Take Mid safely |
| 2 | Connector Smoke | Limit CT Mid/A influence |
| 3 | Jungle Smoke | Isolate A defenders |
| 4 | Stairs Smoke | Remove another major A angle |
| 5 | CT Smoke | Block A rotation |
| 6 | Market Window Smoke | Reduce B retake pressure |
| 7 | Bench Smoke | Simplify B entry |
| 8 | Firebox Molotov | Force close A defender out |
| 9 | Palace Molotov | CT anti-Palace control |
| 10 | B Apartments Smoke | Delay a fast B hit |
Window Smoke
Window is the most important Mirage smoke for most players to learn.
The Window player can otherwise control Top Mid with an AWP and influence Connector, Short and Underpass.
A good Window Smoke lets Ts:
- cross into Top Mid;
- pressure Connector;
- take Short;
- approach Underpass safely;
- force the Window player to reposition.
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Instant Window Smokes
Mirage has several Window lineups based on the exact T spawn.
These are commonly called instant Window smokes because the smoke can be thrown immediately after freeze time instead of first walking to a fixed lineup position.
They are valuable because the Window player loses their Mid sightline extremely early.
Do Not Use One Instant Lineup for Every Spawn
Different T spawns require different:
- aim references;
- movement;
- release timing.
Practice each spawn separately.
Use the Grenade Crosshair
CS2 now supports grenade crosshairs during freeze time for insta-smokes when you hold a grenade attack button.
This makes spawn-specific practice easier because you can build repeatable visual references.
Window Smoke Is Only Useful if You Take Mid
A common Premier mistake is throwing the Window Smoke and then leaving nobody in Mid.
The smoke is buying temporary space. Use that time to:
- occupy Top Mid;
- pressure Connector;
- reach Short;
- force CT utility.
Connector Smoke
Connector is the direct link between Mid and A.
Smoking it can:
- protect the Mid take;
- reduce rifle pressure;
- limit rotations toward A;
- prepare Short control.
Window + Connector Mid Setup
For a simple Mid take:
- smoke Window;
- smoke or pressure Connector;
- flash Top Mid;
- take central space in trading distance;
- decide whether Connector or Short is weaker.
Jungle Smoke
Jungle is one of the core A-execute smokes.
It blocks a powerful support and rotation position between Connector, Window and A.
Current CS2 lineup databases include Jungle throws from several locations such as A Ramp, Tetris, T Roof and Underpass-related setups.
You only need one or two versions that fit your actual strategy.
Stairs Smoke
Stairs creates a dangerous crossfire with Jungle and site positions.
Smoking it reduces the number of angles the first A Ramp players must clear.
CT Smoke
The CT Smoke blocks one of the primary rotation and retake routes toward A.
It is especially valuable when:
- Ramp is ready to enter;
- Palace is active;
- Jungle/Stairs utility is already landing.
Classic A Smoke Wall
The traditional Mirage A execute revolves around isolating:
- Jungle;
- Stairs;
- CT.
This removes most of the long-range support and forces remaining defenders into more isolated fights.
Simple A Execute
- prepare Jungle Smoke;
- prepare Stairs Smoke;
- prepare CT Smoke;
- molotov Firebox or another known close position;
- flash over the site;
- activate Ramp and Palace together;
- clear Triple, Sandwich and Default;
- plant for controlled post-plant positions.
Firebox Molotov
Firebox is a classic close A position.
A molotov is better than asking the first player to check:
- Firebox;
- Triple;
- Sandwich;
- Stairs;
- Jungle
at the same time.
Under Palace Molotov
Another close position that can survive the first wave of A smokes.
Use fire to remove the angle instead of relying on a difficult dry clear.
A Entry Flash
The flash should pop when Ramp and Palace players are ready to move.
Smokes land → flash pops → entries swing.
If the flash explodes five seconds before the execute, defenders will already have recovered.
Best B Smokes on Mirage
Market Window Smoke
Market Window is one of the main CT retake and support lines toward B.
Blocking it allows Apartments players to focus more attention on the site.
Market Door Smoke
Market Door is another important rotation point.
Depending on your execute, you can isolate Window, Door or both.
Bench Smoke
Bench is a strong anchor and post-plant position.
A smoke can simplify the first B entry, although a molotov or flash may sometimes be more appropriate.
Simple B Execute
- establish Apartments control;
- create Short pressure if possible;
- smoke Market Window;
- isolate Market Door when needed;
- flash over B;
- enter together;
- clear Van;
- clear Bench and Back Site;
- plant for Apps or Short.
Short + Apartments B Split
The utility becomes much stronger when B defenders also need to worry about Short.
If all five Ts remain in Apartments, CTs can focus every grenade and crosshair on one exit.
Van Molotov
Van is one of the most common B defensive positions.
A molotov can force the player away before the first Apartments player commits.
Market Retake Utility
On CT retakes, flashes and molotovs can help clear:
- Bench;
- Van;
- Apartments;
- Short;
- Back Site.
CT Utility on Mirage
A Ramp Smoke or Incendiary
Useful for slowing fast A attacks and buying time for Jungle or Connector support.
Palace Molotov
Can delay Palace pressure or deny an early aggressive position.
B Apartments Smoke
One of the official defensive smoke targets.
It can:
- delay an Apartments rush;
- force flashes;
- buy time for Market;
- let Short rotate closer.
Cat / Short Smoke
CTs can use Short utility to deny the Mid-to-B route and reduce T options after a Window smoke.
Smoke, Molotov or Flash?
| Problem | Best Utility |
|---|---|
| Window AWP | Smoke |
| Jungle / CT rotation | Smoke |
| Firebox / Van defender | Molotov |
| Ramp or Apps entry | Flash |
| Fast site rush | Smoke / Incendiary |
Do Old Mirage Smokes Still Work?
Many concepts still work, but do not trust every old pixel blindly.
Mirage has received clipping and geometry updates over time, including the reinforced A Balcony scaffolding in September 2026.
Lineups can become unreliable when:
- clipping changes;
- an aim reference changes;
- a starting position changes;
- a smoke begins leaving a gap.
Jump-Throw Lineups in CS2
Older tutorials sometimes depend on custom jump-throw binds.
For modern CS2, practice the actual jump-and-release timing required by the current lineup instead of assuming an old CS:GO bind tutorial remains valid.
How to Practice Mirage Smokes
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How to Learn Mirage Lineups Faster
- learn the starting position;
- use one clear aim reference;
- remember the throw type;
- land the grenade five times in a row;
- inspect the result with noclip;
- use rethrow from the defender's perspective;
- practice moving into the lineup from a real round position.
If You Only Learn Six Mirage Smokes
- Window Smoke;
- Connector Smoke;
- Jungle Smoke;
- Stairs Smoke;
- CT Smoke;
- Market Window Smoke.
After that, add one instant Window smoke for your common spawns, plus Firebox and Van molotovs.
Common Mirage Utility Mistakes
- throwing Window Smoke but not taking Mid;
- smoking Connector while a teammate already controls it;
- throwing A smokes ten seconds before entries are ready;
- forgetting Firebox after the smoke wall lands;
- smoking Market but not clearing Van;
- using a normal Window lineup when attempting an instant spawn smoke;
- memorizing aim pixels without understanding the purpose;
- using all CT utility immediately.
Mirage Utility Checklist
- Window Smoke;
- instant Window Smoke;
- Connector Smoke;
- Jungle Smoke;
- Stairs Smoke;
- CT Smoke;
- Firebox Molotov;
- A Entry Flash;
- Market Window Smoke;
- Market Door Smoke;
- Van Molotov;
- B Entry Flash;
- A Ramp anti-rush utility;
- B Apartments anti-rush utility.
Learn Mirage Beyond Smokes
For strategy, callouts and rotations, see our CS2 Mirage Guide.
For the current competitive map rotation, see CS2 Premier Map Pool.
For Premier progression, read How to Rank Up in CS2 Premier.
Last verified: October 2026. Valve reinforced the scaffolding beside A Balcony on September 22, 2026 and enabled grenade crosshairs during freeze time for insta-smokes on September 30, 2026.
