Ancient Smokes

The limited active duty map pool makes all in-game maps pretty popular in Counter-Strike 2. In the case of the Ancient map, one additional factor was the new lighting approach in the Source 2 engine, transforming the darkest map in CS:GO into a pleasant location for CS2 battles. Of course, to play it effectively, every player with a 10k+ rank should know all the Ancient smokes in CS2 to rank even higher.

Since the map is pretty CT-oriented, learning the whole lineup of smoke spots that you can use on Ancient is more important for Terrorists. However, the CTs also have to know a few early spots and lineups to be even more effective on the map. Traditionally, the lesson should start with learning all the CS2 Ancient callouts, and here is a cheat sheet for you:

Ancient A Smokes

Starting with the upper leftmost area around A Site, these smoke spots can come in handy at different match timings, not only at the beginning, and by both teams, although located closer to CTs.

Stairs to A Short

Although the A Site entrance can be challenging, the preparation for its effective grabbing can be made from the Stairs. The Counter-Terrorist playing in the Donut can be pretty annoying for the whole Terrorist team, but this elaborate Ancient smoke point allows the vision to be cut beforehand.

Stairs to Temple

The Temple spot is one of the most dangerous during A Site execution, especially if a skillful AWPer is playing there. However, there are plenty of Ancient Temple smoke lineups, like this one, which is the most effective, that will cut the vision of the bothering sniper and the Big Box player at the same time.

Stairs to CT Lane

This is another critical grenade for the safe push to A Site, blocking the help of the Triple Box player from the CT Lane and Spawn. In combination with the two mentioned above, this one is Ancient’s third standout smoke place to remember and use for more effective A Site taking.

Ancient B Smokes

For the opposing B Site of the map, there are also plenty of great smoke spots to master and use to one’s team’s advantage, all the way across the B Site itself and Mid.

Back Alley to Ramp

Most of the B Site Ancient smokes can be thrown without knowing specific lineups and where to locate the crosshair as CTs arrive there faster than Terrorists. However, for a safer bombsite retake, one should learn a few specific points and needed bricks, and this easy-to-remember lineup is for the Ramp coverage. This way, you ensure safe passage for your teammates without actually being there.

Back Alley to Cave

The described above corner at the Back Alley is pretty flexible, giving the opportunity to throw diverse B-Site retake smokes, including the one to the Cave, for a great surprise effect. However, be attentive to the method of throwing it — it’s not a simple left click + jump-throw; it’s a jump throw with both left and right mouse buttons used.

Doors to B Short

One of the reasons for making B Site more involved in the game is its openness to all types of grenades. Still, smokes that block the vision are the key to successful executions, and isolating the B Short (and so Back Alley) is one of the must-know lineups for Ts on Ancient.

T Upper to B Long

The B Long smoke is often used in combination with the previous one as it cuts the vision for CTs in the two most often used spots for the bombsite holding. If your teammates want to enter the site at the earliest timings and aren’t afraid of the Ramp Incendiary, it’s better to learn an alternative lineup from the Water spot near the Tunnel. However, don’t forget to check the Cave position so as not to be ambushed.

Ancient Mid Smokes

There is only one Ancient Mid smoke area that stands out, but it can give both sides a ton of benefits if used timely and to its full extent.

T Spawn to Top Mid

With the Sniper’s Nest being as powerful as on Mirage, early CS2 Ancient smokes from T Spawn is a must for successful Middle execution. Cutting the vision for a CT player with a preferable line and better angle in this position is key to the effective push of the Donut or Heaven spots.

To see how top teams utilize CS2 Ancient Mid smoke and other strategies on the map, view CS2 games today for live action and expert gameplay analysis.

Ancient CT Smokes

If looking attentively at the map plan, one can see that Terrorists have only three narrow paths to the rest of the map: the Doors, Elbow, and Main. It means that if a player wants to really leverage smokes on Ancient for CTs, they must prioritize fast isolation of those zones and only then use grenades for retakes.

CT Spawn to Doors

With B Site being the main battlefield for both sides, the fastest possible smoke to the Doors should be one of the basic nades for Counter-Terrorists. In combination with one or two Incendiary grenades, it can fully block Ts on the Ruins and cut more than half of the map control.

CT Spawn to Main

With opened skyboxes in Counter-Strike 2, the CT Spawn is arguably one of the best smoke spots for the Ancient map, especially during the A Site retakes. Of course, Counter-Terrorists can throw this smoke on early timings as well, but it’s better to come closer to the A Short or Donut and simply listen if Ts are rushing A, and only then isolate the Main position.

CT Spawn to Elbow

The Middle area is the favorite path for Terrorists in the early timings, and they usually go through the Elbow to take it. However, early smoke, in combination with the Incendiary, makes the fight for the Middle highly favorable for CTs, which makes this CS2 Ancient Elbow smoke truly stand out.

CT Spawn to A Short

There is no need to risk and leave the convenient smoke spot areas when the A Short isolation is needed before the retake. This simple lineup will help to block vision for opponents hiding in the Donut — key location during clutches.

Ancient T Smokes

Despite the fact that CTs are heavily dominating the map, the following Ancient smoke lineups will help you to execute key areas and win more rounds on the T side.

T Spawn to Donut

Just like with CTs, about half of all Ancient smoke spots that should be learned by Terrorists can be thrown from the Spawn. The smoke to the Donut is a good addition to the Top Mid grenade (from the Mid Smokes section) and will make taking the Middle even easier.

T Spawn to Heaven

Continuing the story about the Middle battle with the Ancient Heaven smoke, Terrorists sometimes need to cut one more position that favors CTs on early timings. It can also help to organize the A Site fast tactics in combination with the Top Mid smoke, but be aware of the potential spamming via the wooden wall from the Lamp Room — the smoke won’t stop bullets.

T Spawn to Lamp Room

A CS2 Ancient Red Room smoke is one of the best smokes for Ancient at early timings, which helps when taking both Middle and the T Upper positions as it lands deep in the Lamp Room. It can also be useful if the CTs outplay your team in the Lamp Room itself, and you want to counter it.

Other Useful CS Ancient Smokes

Ruins to Cave

Last but not least, there’s a universal Ancient Cave smoke spot to take heed of. If your team loves rushing B Site via the Ramp, this smoke from the Ruins can be used at early timings to cut the vision for CTs in the Cave. Of course, it can also be used at later timings for the same reasons by CTs.

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Now you know all the most relevant Ancient smoke callouts that can be easily learned and actively used in the official matchmaking to surprise your teammates and opponents. Just don’t forget to dive into the practice mode and try them for stable landing and achieving proven effectiveness.