Key Takeaways for CS:GO Beginner Map Guide: Dust 2
- Dust 2 remains one of the most popular map choices despite not being in the competitive rotation.
- A major change was made to Dust 2 in recent times, blocking out the ledge Ts can peek mid from.
- A graffiti commemorating Fnatic’s quadruple-AWP setup used to be in the map, but was taken out after an update.
Table of Contents
A Brief Overview of Dust 2
Dust 2 and CS:GO – it’s impossible to name a more perfect combination. For as long as the franchise has been around, Dust has been present in a variety of different updates. In Global Offensive, Dust 2 was the successor to the original map and has kept its status as the ‘home’ map of each and every Counter-Strike player. In competitive matchmaking lobbies, Dust 2 often has one of the lowest queue times for a game along with Mirage which further proves its popularity even as time goes on.
With an iconic map comes an equally iconic legacy in competitive play. The iconic ‘inhuman reactions’ play from Spencer “Hiko” Martin at ESL One Cologne 2014 took place on Dust 2, and a now-removed graffiti depicting Fnatic’s quadruple-AWP firing squad was placed in the map to commemorate the play.
This guide will not focus too much on smoke setups, but rather provide a simplified description of how to attack and defend parts of the map. Still, smokes are always effective so be sure to check out this video from the Skill-UP Counter Strike channel.
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T Spawn and Mid
One of Dust 2’s defining characteristics is the T Spawn, which peeks directly into mid within seconds of starting the round. Compared to most other maps, Mid duels on Dust 2 are extremely common within the first two or three seconds. A recent update to the map changed the way Terrorists take control of Mid as the developers placed a wall blocking direct vision from the attacking spawn, forcing them to jump down into the Suicide area and take their duels at a much more open area.
T spawn begins with an equally challenging task of getting into either bomb site, so usually smokes are thrown in order to make the journey slightly easier. In most cases the normal player would encounter, however, any battle on mid is won merely with superior firepower as the attacking side marches to either A Short, Mid Doors, or Lower Tunnels. CTs have the ability to get into position a lot quicker than the Terrorists and can use it to their advantage by locking down angles before the first bullets come out of the magazine.
A Long and Site
Long is the unique feature on Dust 2 as it plays exactly how it sounds – a long, empty space where Terrorists would have to be wary while passing. Counter-Terrorists have the upper hand at defending this area due to the abundance of hiding spots and superior angles, though well-placed utility from the attackers can put them in a bit of a tricky situation to find a different spot.
At the very end of long is A site, which has three different passageways connected to it in Long, Short, and CT Spawn. A number of boxes and other obstacles are visible on site and are used as a direct cover or for counter-utility lineups. A is the tricker of the two bomb sites to retake which is why more players opt to prioritize defending A rather than B.
B Site
Dust 2’s B Site has three entrances, Tunnels, B Doors, and Window, all of which are extremely tricky for the Terrorists to enter from. Just like in most other maps, B is the closer of the two from T Spawn thus making it the site of choice to rush on eco rounds for faster-paced gameplay. There are a number of smoke lineups for B, however unless you’re in the professional scene they don’t necessarily serve as an integral part of the matchmaking experience.
CTs can easily counter the attackers by throwing a barrage of Incendiary Grenades and HE Grenades to slow down the push. Defending AWPers like to position themselves on the Window area for an elevated position that can easily be scoped out from or at the very back of the site for a clear, straight view of the enemies approaching.
