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Master every angle, strategy, and technique on CS2's most popular competitive map. From beginner fundamentals to professional-level tactics, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to dominate Mirage.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Read Time
75 min
Author
CS2Hype Pro Team
Updated
December 2024
Map Overview & Layout
5 min
Map Callouts & Key Areas
Interactive callout map - Click to view in full size
A Site
- A Ramp
- A Default/Site
- Palace
- Tetris
- Connector
- Jungle
B Site
- B Apps/Apartments
- B Site/Default
- Kitchen
- Market
- Underpass
Mid Control
- Top Mid
- Mid
- Connector
- Window
- Catwalk
Why Mirage is Perfect for Learning CS2
- Simple Layout: Easy to understand map structure
- Balanced Design: Fair for both CT and T sides
- Multiple Strategies: Supports various playstyles
- Great for Aim: Many long-range duels
- Popular in Pro Play: Learn from the best
- Active Community: Lots of guides and content
- Regular Updates: Valve keeps it fresh
- Versatile Roles: Good for all player types
CT-Side Masterclass
15 min
Default CT Setup & Rotations
A Site Hold
Standard 2-player A site setup
1
One player Tetris/Default angle
2
Second player Jungle/Connector watch
3
Communicate Palace control early
4
Use utility to delay pushes
5
Rotate through Mid/Connector
Mid Control
Essential for rotations and information
1
Smoke Window from T-spawn
2
Flash peek for early picks
3
Watch for Connector splits
4
Communicate Mid to B timing
5
Be ready to rotate either site
B Site Defense
Holding the toughest site
1
One Apartments, one Site/Market
2
Use sound cues from Apps
3
Molly common plant spots
4
Play time - don't over-peek
5
Call for rotates early
Advanced CT Positions & Angles
Ninja/Default
Hidden angle behind boxes on A site. Perfect for catching rotating Ts off-guard.
Tetris Headshot
Elevated position watching A ramp. Great for long-range duels and early picks.
Connector One-Way
Smoke setup allowing you to see enemies while remaining hidden. Game-changing position.
Palace Control
Aggressive angle to deny T Palace control. High risk, high reward positioning.
Window Peek
Classic AWP position for Mid control. Essential for map control and rotations.
Market One-Way
Advanced smoke setup on B site. Allows for surprise eliminations.
Pro CT Tips
Advanced techniques used by professional players
Essential Smokes
- CT Window smoke (from spawn)
- A Site one-way smokes
- B Apps delay smokes
- Mid to B connector smoke
Flash Setups
- Pop-flash over Palace wall
- Tetris anti-flash positioning
- B site retake flashes
- Mid connector pop-flashes
T-Side Domination
15 min
Essential T-Side Strategies
A Site Execute
Coordinated A site take with utility
1
Smoke CT/Jungle from A ramp
2
Flash support for ramp players
3
2-3 players up ramp fast
4
1-2 Palace pressure/split
5
Plant for Tetris/safe spot
Mid to B Split
Use mid control for B site pressure
1
Smoke Window, clear Mid
2
Send 1-2 Connector to B
3
2-3 players Apps pressure
4
Coordinate timing perfectly
5
Overwhelm B site defenders
Full B Rush
Fast aggressive B take
1
All 5 players to B Apps
2
Pre-throw utility going up
3
First two players trade kills
4
Plant for Apps/Kitchen
5
Set up post-plant positions
Advanced Executes & Setups
Standard A Execute
1
• 3 players A ramp, 2 Palace
• Collect utility and prepare smokes
• Clear any aggressive CT positions
2
• Smoke CT and Jungle simultaneously
• Flash support for ramp push
• Palace players prepare for split
3
• Fast ramp push with trades
• Palace players enter with utility
• Overwhelm site with numbers
4
• Plant for Tetris/safe angles
• Set up crossfires for retake
• Watch rotation timings
Advanced Utility Guide
20 min
Essential Smoke Lineups
CT Smoke (A Site)
Essential smoke for A site executes. Thrown from A ramp to block CT angles.
- Stand against the wall on A ramp
- Aim at the corner of the building
- Left-click throw with perfect timing
Window Smoke
Critical for mid control. Blocks AWPer at Window position.
- Position at T spawn near boxes
- Aim above the Window frame
- Run-throw for perfect placement
Jungle One-Way
Advanced one-way smoke that allows you to see enemies while staying hidden.
- Specific pixel-perfect lineup required
- Crouch-throw from exact position
- Game-changing when executed properly
Connector Smoke
Blocks rotation from Mid to A site through Connector.
- Throw from Palace or A ramp
- Multiple lineup variations
- Essential for A site executes
Market Window Smoke
Blocks common CT angle on B site from Market window.
- Thrown from B Apps entrance
- Bounce off specific wall angle
- Perfect for B site executes
B Stairs Smoke
Blocks stairs angle on B site, essential for post-plant situations.
- Multiple variations available
- Can be thrown from Apps or site
- Crucial for holding B site
Flash Setups & Pop-Flashes
Offensive Flashes (T-Side)
Palace Flash
Pop-flash over Palace wall to support A site pushes. Blinds Jungle and Default positions.
A Ramp Flash
Right-click flash over the ramp wall. Perfect for supporting ramp pushes without blinding teammates.
B Apps Flash
Bounce flash off the ceiling in Apps. Blinds Market and Site angles while keeping Apps clear.
Defensive Flashes (CT-Side)
Retake Flash A
Flash from Connector to support A site retakes. Blinds common T post-plant positions.
B Retake Flash
Thrown from Kitchen/Market to blind site. Essential for coordinated B retakes.
Mid Flash
Pop-flash from Window to blind Mid pushes. Great for stopping mid-round T aggression.
Pro Utility Tips
Advanced techniques for maximum utility effectiveness
Timing & Coordination
- Always communicate before throwing utility
- Count down utility throws: "Smoking in 3, 2, 1..."
- Don't waste utility on force-buy rounds
- Save utility for crucial rounds (16-14 type situations)
- Practice utility lineups in offline mode regularly
Common Mistakes
- Throwing utility too early in the round
- Not coordinating with teammates
- Using all utility at once
- Forgetting to buy utility on important rounds
- Poor lineup execution under pressure
Pro-Level Mastery
25 min
Advanced Movement & Positioning
Advanced Movement Techniques
Strafing & Pre-aiming
Perfect counter-strafing combined with pre-aiming common angles gives you a 200ms advantage over opponents.
- Release movement key → Opposite tap → Shoot
- Practice on aim_botz for muscle memory
- Combine with crosshair placement
Jiggle Peeking
Quick shoulder peeks to gather information without committing to fights.
- A-D tap for millisecond exposure
- Gather AWP positions safely
- Bait out utility usage
Economic Mastery
Understanding and manipulating the economy is what separates good players from great players.
Force-Buy Scenarios
When and how to force-buy to maintain map control or break enemy economy.
- Force on rounds 3, 12, 16-19
- Prioritize utility over better rifles
- Coordinate team force decisions
- Target enemy economic disruption
Anti-Eco Strategy
Maximizing round wins while minimizing losses against eco rounds.
- Play long-range angles exclusively
- Avoid close quarters combat
- Buy armor + utility, not expensive rifles
- Never give free frags or weapon drops
Economy Disruption
Forcing opponents into uncomfortable economic decisions.
- Target players with expensive weapons
- Plant bomb even in lost rounds
- Force multiple rebuys with picks
- Time utility usage for max economic damage
Professional Mindset
The mental approach that separates pros from everyone else
Constant Analysis
Review every round, every death, every decision. What could you have done differently? How can you apply this lesson to future rounds?
Adaptation Speed
Notice opponent patterns within 3-4 rounds and adapt your strategy accordingly. The faster you adapt, the more rounds you win.
Emotional Control
Never let emotions affect your gameplay. Every round is 0-0. Focus on the process, not the outcome of individual rounds.
