Mirage
Mirage is a classic bomb defusal map in Counter-Strike 2 set in a Moroccan-inspired desert town. It is one of the most balanced and popular maps in the competitive map pool, known for its versatile mid control dynamics and strategic depth.
Overview
Mirage features two bombsites connected by a strategically important mid area. The map rewards teams that can execute coordinated strategies, use utility effectively, and win the battle for mid control. Mirage has been part of the active duty map pool for most of Counter-Strike history and is a favorite at all levels of play.
Map Layout
Key Areas
A Site
- A Ramp - The main T approach to A site through Palace/Ramp
- Palace - An elevated building that overlooks A site
- Tetris - A stack of boxes on A site used for cover
- Jungle - The connector from CT spawn to A site
- Stairs - Steps connecting Jungle to CT spawn
- Sandwich - A tight space between default and Firebox
B Site
- B Apartments - The main T route to B site through a series of rooms
- B Short - A short connector from mid to B site
- Van - A vehicle on B site providing cover
- Bench - A seating area used for playing post-plant
- Market - A room connecting CT spawn to B site
Mid
- Top Mid - The T-side entrance to mid
- Window - A room overlooking mid (CT side)
- Connector - A passage from mid to A Short/A site
- Underpass - A lower route from mid to B Short
Key Callouts
| Callout | Location |
|---|---|
| Palace | Building overlooking A site from T side |
| Jungle | A site connector from CT spawn |
| Connector | Mid passage to A site area |
| Window | CT window overlooking mid |
| Apartments/Apps | T-side building route to B site |
| Underpass | Lower passage from mid to B |
| Top Mid | T-side entrance to mid |
| Van | Vehicle on B site |
| Tetris | Box stack on A site |
| Bench | Seating area on B site |
Competitive Meta
Mirage is considered one of the most balanced maps in the pool. Mid control is the central strategic battle: the team that controls mid gains access to rotations, flanks, and split executes.
T-Side Strategy
- Mid control opens up A Short splits and B Short pushes
- A executes using smoke, flash, and molotov to isolate Jungle, Stairs, and CT
- B rushes through Apartments can overwhelm defenders with speed
CT-Side Strategy
- Window AWP controls mid and limits T aggression
- A site typically held by 2 players with utility for Ramp and Palace
- B site held by 1-2 players with smoke and molotov for Apartments