How to Use Grenades Effectively in CS2: Beginner's Guide

Grenades ("utility") are a key part of CS2 strategy. Learning how and when to use them can win rounds, help your team, and make you a much more effective player. This guide covers the basics of each grenade, simple lineups, and common mistakes to avoid.

Types of Grenades and Their Uses

1. Smoke Grenade

• Blocks vision: Use to block enemy sightlines, cross safely, or fake a push.
• Common uses: Smokes for bomb plants, blocking AWPers, or cutting off choke points.

2. Flashbang

• Blinds enemies: Temporarily blinds anyone looking at the explosion.
• Common uses: Entry flashes for teammates, blinding defenders before pushing, or escaping a bad spot.

3. HE Grenade (Frag)

• Deals damage: Explodes and damages anyone nearby.
• Common uses: Softening up enemies in common spots, stopping rushes, or finishing off low-HP players.

4. Molotov/Incendiary

• Creates fire: Burns an area, dealing damage over time and blocking movement.
• Common uses: Clearing common hiding spots, delaying pushes, or forcing enemies out of cover.

5. Decoy Grenade

• Fake sounds: Mimics gunfire and appears on the radar.
• Common uses: Faking presence, distracting enemies, or baiting out utility.

When to Use Each Grenade

• Before pushing: Use smokes and flashes to block vision and blind defenders.
• On defense: Use molotovs/incendiaries to delay rushes or force enemies out of hiding.
• Retaking sites: Use flashes to blind enemies and smokes to cover defuses.
• After planting: Use utility to block off common retake routes or buy time.

Simple Grenade Lineups (Examples)

• Dust2 B Door Smoke: Stand at the B tunnels entrance, aim at the top of the door frame, and throw a standing left-click smoke.
• Mirage A Stairs Smoke: Stand in T spawn, aim at the top of the antenna, and left-click throw.
• Inferno CT Flash: Stand at Banana, aim above the wall, and right-click throw to pop-flash CTs.

Tip: Search for "[map name] grenade lineups" on YouTube for easy tutorials!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Wasting utility: Don't throw grenades for no reason—coordinate with your team.
• Flashing teammates: Always warn before flashing and learn "pop-flash" spots that don't blind your team.
• Missing smokes: Practice lineups in offline servers to get them right.
• Not buying utility: Even one flash or smoke can make a huge difference—always buy some if you can afford it.

Practice Tips

• Use workshop maps like "Yprac" or "Training_aim_csgo2" to practice throws.
• Watch pro matches to see how top players use utility.
• Play with friends and practice coordinated executes.

Final Advice

• Utility wins rounds—use it smartly!
• Communicate your grenade usage with your team.
• Keep practicing your lineups and timing.

Mastering grenades will make you a much more valuable teammate and help you win more games. Good luck!