Nuke is unusual because its two bomb sites sit on top of each other. That makes nuke smokes different from smokes on flat maps. Some block long outdoor views, some block a single doorway, and some drop through roof skylights. This guide covers the core smokes, what each blocks, where it is thrown from in general terms, and when to use it.
Exact lineups are not listed, because small position errors ruin them. Practise each one in a private server with a lineup tool or a video, and use our lineups practice routine to make them reliable.
Which Nuke smokes block Outside?
Outside is the large open yard between T spawn and the CT side. Defenders watch it from the far end and from high spots. To cross toward Secret, Ts throw a wall of smokes across the yard. A common version uses three smokes thrown from near the truck by T spawn and from the outside corners. Together, they block CT vision of the route to Secret.
It costs three grenades, so plan it. Teams often use it to start a B hit through Secret. Our guide to Nuke Outside explains the fights in this area.
A site smokes
A sits on the upper level. Defenders hold from Heaven above the site, from Hut, from Mini and from the site itself.
| Smoke | What it blocks | Thrown from (general) |
|---|---|---|
| Heaven | The Heaven position above A | T Roof, on the outside |
| Hut | The Hut entrance next to A | Outside T spawn, through a skylight |
Some Nuke smokes need you to break a skylight first, so the grenade can drop through. Check this when you learn a lineup. If a skylight is still intact, the smoke bounces off the roof instead.
B site smokes
B is the lower site. Ts reach it through Ramp, Secret or by dropping through Vents.
- Vent smoke. Blocks the vent area on B. Thrown from just outside T spawn through a skylight, so break the glass first. Useful for a fast B push.
- Control Room smoke. Blocks the view from Control Room onto Ramp. Thrown from Ramp, near the red box.
Combine a Ramp push with a Secret push and the B defenders face two directions at once. Our Nuke callouts guide covers the names on each level.
How to plan Nuke smokes as a team
Nuke executes can need a lot of grenades. An Outside wall alone uses up to three smokes. Decide early which site you are hitting, so nobody wastes a smoke on the wrong side of the map.
For an A hit, split the work. One player smokes Heaven from the roof, another smokes Hut, and the rest bring flashes for the site. For B, the Vent and Ramp smokes can come from different players who arrive from different routes. Call each smoke as it lands. On a two-level map, teammates often cannot see what you threw.
CT-side smokes on Nuke
Defenders on Nuke use smokes more than on many maps, because rotations are short and delays matter.
- Hut from Heaven. A CT smoke on the Hut door that slows Ts entering A from Hut.
- Mini from Heaven. Blocks the Mini area next to A.
- Aggressive Outside smoke. Some teams throw an early smoke Outside to take space and gather information.
Rotations are explained in our Nuke rotations guide.
When should you throw each smoke?
- Early round. Outside smokes and aggressive CT smokes are often thrown early to fight for space.
- On the hit. A and B site smokes should land just before your team enters.
- After the plant. Keep a smoke to block a retake path if you can.
Common mistakes with Nuke smokes
- Forgetting to break the skylight. Several smokes need the glass broken first.
- Half an Outside wall. One smoke Outside is often not enough. If the wall has gaps, an AWP will find them.
- Not listening. Nuke's levels make sound tricky. Our sound tips help you tell up from down.
- Forgetting CS2 smoke behaviour. HE grenades and bullets can open temporary holes in smokes.
Sources and checks
Smoke names and general throw areas were checked on 1 November 2026 against GameRiv's Nuke smoke guide. Map updates can change lineups, so retest them in a private server after each patch.
Frequently asked questions
Why do some Nuke smokes need broken glass?
Some smokes drop through roof skylights. If the glass is intact, the grenade bounces off instead of falling through.
How do Ts cross Outside on Nuke?
Usually with a wall of two or three smokes across the yard, which blocks CT vision toward Secret.
What smokes do CTs use on Nuke?
Common ones are Hut and Mini smokes thrown from Heaven, plus early smokes Outside to take space.
