Mirage
| Mirage | |
|---|---|
| Game Modes | — |
| Scenario | — |
| Teams | — |
Overview
Mirage is one of the most balanced and widely played competitive maps in Counter-Strike 2. Set in a Moroccan-inspired urban environment, the map features a traditional three-lane layout with two bombsites connected by a central Mid area. Mirage rewards tactical team play, precise utility usage, and strong communication.
The map is known for its emphasis on Mid control as the key strategic element. Whichever team controls Mid has a significant advantage, as it provides access to both bombsites and enables split executes. Mirage has been a staple in professional Counter-Strike since its introduction and is considered one of the most skill-testing maps in the competitive pool.
In CS2, Mirage received Source 2 visual improvements while maintaining its beloved layout. The map's tight angles, multiple smoke lineups, and well-defined chokepoints make it ideal for structured team play while still offering opportunities for individual playmakers.
Map Layout
Bombsite A
Bombsite A is accessible from A Ramp (Palace side) and through Connector (from Mid via Short or Window). The site features the Tetris/Triple Stack boxes, Default plant position, and Firebox. CT defenders typically play from Ticket Booth, CT Spawn (under balcony), Jungle, or Stairs. The site offers multiple elevation changes and angles, making both executes and retakes complex.
Common plant positions include Default (behind the boxes for Ramp coverage), Triple Box (for Short/Connector players), and Open (for CT Spawn exposure). The A Site execute is one of the most utility-intensive in competitive CS2.
Bombsite B
Bombsite B is accessed through B Apartments, a building with a narrow entrance and multiple corners. The site features the Van, the Bench area, and Back Alley (Short B from Mid). CT defenders play from Market Window, Van, Back Site, or hold aggressively in Apartments. B site is more enclosed than A and can be difficult to retake once Terrorists establish post-plant positions.
The default plant spot is behind the Bench area. B site takes often involve catching the Market Window player with utility and overwhelming the site through Apartments while a teammate flanks through Short B.
Mid
Mid is the centerpiece of Mirage strategy. CTs hold Mid from Window (Sniper's Nest) and Connector, while T players can challenge with a Mid peek or throw utility to block vision. Controlling Mid allows Ts to push through Connector to A Short, or through Short B (Market) to B site. Loss of Mid control cripples the CT economy of information and forces guesswork on where the T execute will land.
The Window room overlooks Mid and is one of the most important positions for the CT AWPer. Connector links Mid to the A site approach and is a frequent rotation path.
Callouts
| Area | Callout | Description |
|---|---|---|
| A Site | Ramp | The slope leading from T side to A Site |
| A Site | Palace | The building at the top of A Ramp with the balcony exit |
| A Site | Tetris / Triple | The triple stack of boxes on A Site |
| A Site | Firebox | The box near the fire on A Site |
| A Site | Jungle | The plant-filled area connecting CT Spawn to A Site |
| A Site | Stairs | The stairway between A Site and Connector |
| A Site | Ticket Booth | The booth on A Site providing cover from Ramp |
| Mid | Mid Window / Sniper's Nest | The window room overlooking Mid from the CT side |
| Mid | Connector | The passage from Mid to A Short/Stairs |
| Mid | Top Mid | The T-side entrance to Mid |
| Mid | Underpass | The lower tunnel connecting Mid to Short B |
| B Site | Apartments / Apps | The building leading to B Site from the T side |
| B Site | Van | The van on B Site providing key cover |
| B Site | Market | The market building connecting B Site to Mid |
| B Site | Short B | The short alley from Mid/Market to B Site |
Strategy
T-Side Defaults
A Execute: The classic Mirage A execute involves four coordinated smokes (CT, Stairs, Jungle, and optionally Connector) along with Ramp flashes. Three players push through Ramp while one enters from Palace and one supports from Connector after taking Mid.
Mid-to-B Split: Two players take Mid control using Window and Connector smokes, then push through Short B and Underpass while two players push B Apartments with a flash. This creates a devastating crossfire on B site.
Default Spread: Players spread across all three areas — one Ramp, one Palace, two Mid, one B Apartments — to gather information before committing to an execute based on what the CT setup reveals.
CT-Side Setups
Standard 2-1-2: Two players hold A (one Ramp, one Ticket/Jungle), one holds Mid from Window, two hold B (one Van/Site, one Apartments). The Window player calls rotations.
Aggressive Apartments: One CT pushes B Apartments for early information, using utility to get a pick or force the Ts to use resources. The player falls back to Site after engagement.
3 A Stack: Three players hold A site with one playing close Ramp and one in Palace for the cross. Strong against teams that favor A executes but relies on the B anchor to survive.
Utility Guide
- CT Smoke from T Spawn — Line up against the wall near T Spawn facing A Site. Aim at the left edge of the building above the site and jump-throw. Blocks the CT crossover to A Site.
- Jungle Smoke from T Spawn — Stand at the T Spawn reference point, aim at the specific spot on the wall above Jungle and left-click throw. Essential for the A execute.
- Stairs Smoke from T Spawn — From a similar position, aim higher and to the right to land a smoke on the Stairs/Connector entrance.
- Window Smoke from T Spawn — The most important Mid smoke. From Top Mid, aim at the top-right corner of the building and jump-throw to block the Window AWPer.
- B Apartments Flash — From inside B Apartments, throw a flash off the ceiling just before peeking the site entrance to blind Van and Market players.
History
Mirage originated as a community-made map called de_cpl_strike, created by BubkeZ for the Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL). The map was so popular in competitive play that Valve adopted and reworked it as de_mirage for CS:GO. Over the years, Mirage has undergone several layout refinements, particularly to the B Apartments area and Mid connectors.
Mirage has been one of the most consistently picked maps in professional Counter-Strike, appearing in nearly every major tournament since its official release. Its balanced gameplay makes it a reliable pick for teams on both sides. In CS2, the map retained its classic layout with enhanced visuals and improved clarity thanks to Source 2's lighting system.
Trivia
- Mirage is often considered the spiritual successor to the original de_cpl_strike, though the layouts have diverged significantly over time.
- The A Site execute on Mirage requires more coordinated smokes than almost any other site take in competitive CS2.
- Mid Window (Sniper's Nest) is widely regarded as the most important AWP position in the competitive map pool.
- Mirage has hosted more professional map picks than any other map in CS:GO/CS2 history according to HLTV statistics.
- The "Underpass" connector was added in a later revision to provide T players with additional Mid-to-B routing options.