Mirage is an extremely popular map throughout the CS:GO community, not only in the pro scene but also in pugs and matchmaking. Mirage boasts some extremely helpful spots for the CT's when trying to hold and retake a site, and due to this it's extremely balanced on either side, helping to keep an even score line and not a washout like other maps such as Nuke.

Being able to smoke and hold a site is crucial, not only to Mirage but any CS:GO map. Knowing where to position yourself and your crosshair will make that hold and retake just a tiny bit easier as you can throw your smokes quickly and smoothly every time allowing for a faster gameplay and the ability to start shooting the enemy team quicker! Most of the CT smokes are fairly simple so let's get straight into it.

Simple default hold -

This is a simple hold which can be used as a default on either eco rounds or buy rounds. It provides visibility over the entire map to ensure you know where the enemy team is coming from and also allows your team to smoke off key points with ease.

Player 1 -

Sits around B apartments to spot any rushes and can easily smoke off any area on the B site.

Player 2 -

Also goes to the B site and can sit either behind chair or in the shop. From chair you are able to spot short and smoke it off, while from shop, you can spot apartments and short as well. I personally prefer sitting in shop as it's the most beneficial viewing position to spot the enemies.

Player 3 -

Awps down mid and is able to watch for a mid rush to either B short or through mid to A. This player can also be used as a fast rotator due to his position being extremely close to both sites on the map. If the middle player does happen to get killed, it also makes it easy to spot where the opposition is going from the death cam and allow an A player to rotate around.

Player 4 -

Sits on A stairs with the ability to see palace and A ramp for pushes through smoke or just watch those areas in general. Also an ideal position to rotate to mid if the need arises to kill enemies trying to go mid to A or if the middle player dies.



Player 5 -

Also sits on A site providing support to player 4, while also spotting A ramp and the ability to watch mid / short B.



A Ramp Smoke from CT -

The first smoke is fairly simple and requires minimal effort. Smoking off A ramp can prove to be an essential smoke when holding A site as it slows the T's down from rushing straight in. If they do happen to decide to run straight through your smoke, you have the advantage due to being able to see them before they see you.

First off, position yourself on top of the markings on the floor just behind the CT stairs box (Shown on the crosshair below). The box provides cover from any enemy that might be present on the site already and makes it easier to get the smoke in the right spot.





Next, place your crosshair slightly above the left chimney on top of A ramp and throw it. It's really that simple!

This smoke would be ideal for player 4 or 5 as it makes it easier to watch A ramp due to only leaving a small portion visible for the T's to run through and also allows you to watch more than one spot at a time.





A Palace Smoke from Window or CT -

The idea of this smoke is to block off any visibility from palace in case of an awp or a push from A ramp and palace. This smoke can be thrown from many places around the map however I find the two easiest spots to be from window and CT stairs. This can be valuable to holding a site or throwing it during a retake to isolate the awper in palace and take out the rest of the team first. Ideal for player 3 or 5 to throw.

Line yourself up on the far left side of the wall in window and stand on the circle with the four square markings. The markings are shown below and will be easier to spot once you're in game.

Lineup your crosshair so it's just over half way between the top of the arch at window and the bottom of the palace roof. If all things are done correctly, your palace smoke should land perfectly in the gap and block off all visibility from inside, unless of course the enemy decides to run through.

This smoke can also be thrown from CT stairs as mentioned previously.

As you come up from the CT stairs, there is a shadow of a building with a lamp post on top. This should be relatively easy to find.

Stand on top the lamp post shadow and aim your crosshair towards palace. As you can see there is a connecting piece of timber running from the top of the palace opening to the wooden scaffolding. Place your crosshair slightly above the join and throw your smoke. This provides the same type of coverage as before, only from a different position.

B Apartments Smoke -

Just like the others, this smoke is fairly simple but can be beneficial to your team members on the B site. Jump on top of the truck in the left corner of the site and aim your crosshair towards the bottom of the carpet in apartments. Thats it!

This smoke stops a rush happening from the opposite team and protects the other players on the site. Ideally you would want to throw this smoke if you spot/hear anyone attempting to push up through apartments. Alternatively you can also spray them down from this position if they decide to run through the smoke while having the upper hand by being able to spot them quicker. Recommended for player 1 to throw.

B Short Smoke from Site -

This smoke is an easy smoke to throw from B site which smokes off all of short. Position yourself right up against the black boxes at the front right of B site. Place your crosshair in between the shadow and the sun light on short and throw the smoke. The result should be a fully covered short area. Ideal for player 2 to throw.

Thats it! These smokes are really simple to throw but also provide great coverage and isolate many different positions on the map helping y0u to stop rushes onto sites and give you the upper hand. You can use these smokes in conjunction with my default hold or use them on there own when you're holding a position on the map.