Here are 5 of the most useful CS2 Nuke Smoke Line-ups that you can use in your games
As the sunrises for a new year of CS, we can look back at how far we have come after the release of CS2 in 2023. Even though the game had a rough release with complaints about bugs and glitches all over the place and players from every level giving negative feedback, it is safe to say that with CS2, we can begin a new era of Counter-Strike from 2024. We have already seen teams display the possibilities of tactical utility in major tournaments. The future potential of seeing more strategic plays similar to this is endless.
So, let’s look at 5 of the most useful smoke line-ups for CS2 on the map of Nuke. Make sure you check our other guides on CS2 smoke line-ups as well.
5 CS2 Nuke Smoke Line-ups
Nuke demands a lot of emphasis on map control. Considering that it is the only map that has two levels where the bomb sites are stacked on top of each other, there is a whole lot of map traversal to be done by both sides. Many avenues allow players to move around and it is important to have some form of control over those if you want to dictate and good site-take or site-hold. However, these tasks can be done quite easily using utility and basic team play. These line-ups can turn a really difficult fight into an advantageous scenario.
T-Spawn to Outside Mini
If your team is looking to hit the B-Site, rushing Secret looks like a good option. It will take you to the site faster and also gives the option to split entry through Double-Doors and Decon. The only problem is getting to Secret. Since it is outside, you have to cross T-Red, and that exposes you to the entire map. Players from Mini, CT-Red, Catwalk, and Locker can spot you and even take you out. This may disrupt a good site push before it even starts. So it is very important to create some cover before you walk out toward Secret.
Credit: CS Tactics
These smoke line-ups can cover the whole path to Secret. They block Mini, CT-Red, and even Locker. So any CT player playing toward the right side of Mini will have no way to see you cross. The only way to counter this is by throwing utility or pushing through the smoke, which is unlikely as it will be an easy trade for the T-side.
Another bonus for this line-up is the fact that it can be thrown from T-Spawn. Therefore it allows the team to quickly get the smokes up and head for an aggressively fast rush down Secret and work to the B-Site. This smoke also allows for more room to move around even outside of T-Red if you’re looking to fake a B Rush.
T-Spawn to Garage and Secret
Now hitting the A-site can be very hard since there are so many spots for the CT players to hide in. In that case, a split push from Mini and Speaky may yield better results. It allows players to cover more ground and not make it easy for the CT side to mow down the whole team from a single angle. However, reaching Mini to support the Squeaky push can be harder than it seems. Especially considering that there can be CT players in Garage and Secret who can shoot you in the back and deny entry. So blocking off those points is crucial for this strat to work.
Credit: CS Tactics
This smoke line-up can block players in Garage, CT-Red, and Secret, making them unable to see the push to Mini. They are going to have to push out in the open to see you, and that will make them easy to take out. With this cover, it will be easy to walk towards A, without having any trouble from Garage side, and the players in Mini being aware of a push from outside.
Since the line-up can be thrown from T-Spawn, this allows for a very fast execution. The smokes will land before the players outside can peek toward T-Red and will have no idea that an A hit is coming.
Silo to A-Heaven
A-Heaven is one of the strongest positions to be in while defending the site. Since most players will be busy trying to clear all the rat corners of the site, a player from Heaven can easily peek and find a couple of killings. Especially AWPers, who can quickly find kills without having to spray for too long. This will weaken the T-Side, allowing for a quick retake or even a bomb-plant denial. So smoking Heaven is a very important thing to do before rushing into the A-Site.
Credit: CS Tactics
If you can manage to get on top of Silo and break all the windows on top of the building, you can throw some very neat smokes inside the A-site to support your teammates. This line-up is thrown in a similar way. Since you will be outside, you are at no risk of being shot down, as long as no CT pushes deep across T-Red. Then you can easily throw the smoke and block off A-Heaven for the CT side.
The smoke also spreads very fast and because of the new volumetric mechanics of the CS2 smoke grenades, there will be no slight angle from which the players can peek through. The entire door frame of the spot will be covered and the player be forced to fall back or wait for the smoke to dissipate.
T-Spawn to Vents
Vents is another avenue to get to the B-site. It is much more difficult to use as you have to go through the A-site to get to Vents, but many teams tend to use it as a quick rotation path in case an A push goes wrong. Some even use it as a way to fake an A push and then just use Vents to go B. However reaching Vents can still be difficult without cover, as it is visible to the entire A-Site and anyone can shoot you down while you are trying to get inside.
Credit: CS Tactics
So this line-up specializes in creating cover for players to walk into the A-Site through Squeaky and then drop into Vents without being seen. Players can use this for a fake toward A or even as a contingency plan in case the A-site push fails. The smoke also provides cover from players inside Mini and can be spammed through.
T-Spawn to Top Hut
Another position in the A-site, along with A-Heaven, is Top Hut, which can be very difficult to clear. As it is on top of the Hut through which T-side players can enter, many times it goes unchecked and gives the player positioned there a chance to get a multi-kill. This can completely dismantle the push and deny entry. Even though it is not a common position if you see your enemies exploiting this, you need to smoke it off.
Credit: CS Tactics
This line-up can be thrown from T-Spawn, meaning it is fast and helps even if you’re going for a quick rush. It completely blocks off the top of Hut and forces the player there to come down, allowing for an easy frag and a safe bomb plant.
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