The dust 2 ct smoke is the smoke that isolates A site from CT Spawn. Without it, rotating CTs and a spawn AWP can shoot Ts while they plant. With it, the A take becomes a fight against the players already on site. This guide covers the purpose, the main throwing spots, timing, counters and what to do after it lands. It does not give pixel-perfect lineups.
What does the dust 2 ct smoke block?
CT Spawn sits behind A site. It is the path most rotating CTs take, and it gives a long view across the site and the area in front of Goose. A player standing in or near CT Spawn can also watch Ts crossing from Long. The smoke lands in the opening between CT Spawn and the site. That cuts both the sightline and the walking route. For the names used here, see our Dust 2 callouts.
The CT smoke is not the same as the Cross smoke. Cross is thrown from the Long side and blocks the gap Ts run across from Long Corner to the site. Most full A executes from Long use both. Our Dust 2 A site smokes guide shows how the full set fits together. This page goes deeper on the one smoke that controls the rotation.
Where is the CT smoke thrown from?
Current guides describe three common origins. Each suits a different kind of round.
| Origin | Throw | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Long, from outside Long Doors or near the corner | Standing throw in most versions | Long takes, or a lone Long player creating pressure |
| Short, from the corner near the top of the stairs | Standing throw | Short (Catwalk) takes and splits |
| Mid, from the Xbox area | Standing throw | Early Mid control or a fake that keeps CTs guessing |
BitSkins describes a Long version thrown from the patterned bricks just outside Long Doors. MetaBot lists a standing version from the Short corner. Skin.club and BitSkins also note a version from the Xbox pallet. Exact aim points vary between guides and can shift after map updates. Learn one version per route in a private server, using a lineup tool or video. Our guide to practising lineups in CS2 explains a simple routine.
When should you throw it?
Timing matters more than the lineup. A CT smoke thrown too early fades before the plant. A smoke thrown too late lets a rotator peek first.
- Long take: throw CT and Cross together as players leave Long Corner. The first entry should step out as the smokes bloom.
- Short take: throw the CT smoke from Short as the team commits down the stairs. Add a flash over the site for the player on Goose or Car.
- Split: one player throws from Long while the rest hit Short. The smoke then protects the Long entry and the Short players at once.
- Mid fake: a CT smoke from the Xbox area early in the round can make CTs think A is coming. Use it with sound and a few shots, then rotate.
BLAST.tv notes that even a single player throwing the CT smoke from Long reminds CTs that Long is a threat. That makes it a cheap way to pull attention away from B.
How do CTs counter the CT smoke?
CS2 smokes are volumetric, so they can be broken. Our guide to the CS2 HE smoke trick explains how an HE grenade opens a gap for a few seconds. A rotating CT can use that gap to shoot planters. Gunfire also thins a smoke briefly. Other common answers include:
- Peeking from the edge of the smoke, where it is thinnest.
- Waiting for the smoke to fade and retaking with teammates from several angles at once.
- Rotating through Mid and Short instead, so the smoke no longer cuts them off.
- Using the crate stack outside CT Spawn. MetaBot reports a 2024 change there that lets CTs climb toward Short without a boost.
What to do after it lands
Once the smoke is up, the job is to clear the site fast and plant. Do not waste the smoke by trading slowly on Long. Clear Goose, Car and the default spots first. Then plant where the CT Spawn side cannot see you once the smoke fades. Put players where they can trade a CT who walks through the smoke. If you have a Molotov left, save it for the defuse. Our A site retake guide shows the routes CTs usually take back in, which is what you are now defending.
Common mistakes
- Throwing CT without Cross on a Long take, so the gap from Long Corner stays open.
- Throwing it before the team is ready, so it fades during the plant.
- Assuming the smoke stops bullets. It only blocks sight.
- Planting in the open where a player behind the smoke edge can see the bomb.
Dust 2 has been in and out of the competitive pool over the years. Check the current list on our map pool history page before you practise.
Sources and checks
Smoke origins, throw types and purposes were checked on 1 November 2026 against MetaBot's Dust II guide, BLAST.tv, BitSkins and Skin.club. Lineups can change after map updates, so test them in a private server.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Dust 2 CT smoke work on a Short take?
Yes. A standing version can be thrown from the Short corner. It stops CT Spawn rotators while your team clears the site from Short.
Is the CT smoke the same as the Cross smoke?
No. Cross blocks the gap Ts run across from Long. CT blocks the route from CT Spawn. Long executes usually use both.
Can CTs see through the CT smoke?
Not normally, but an HE grenade or heavy gunfire can open a short-lived gap. Players can also peek its thinner edges.
