Utility Secrets: Spawn Smokes Tier List (Part 1)

One of the most important weapons in the arsenal of any Counter-Strike player is the ability to throw effective utility. In our Utility Secrets series, we have given you the rundown of the most effective utility to throw on each map. However, one major part of effective utility usage that we have yet to cover is util thrown straight from spawn.

Having a deep understanding of spawn smokes is key to being able to put together quick, effective defaults. You can build an understanding of your round from the very moment it begins, being able to take effective map control as quickly as possible. Today, we’re going to look at a few of the maps in the active duty pool, ranking them by the number of important, common spawn smokes available to use. For reference, we have also thrown in some smokes from the spawn area that can be lined up very quickly. Whilst they might not be instant, they are important and useful enough to include.

Ancient

Elbow

One of the most important CT spawn smokes in the game, the Elbow smoke is crucial to being able to take control of Mid and deny the Ts free and easy fights. There are many different lineups – one for each spawn – but we’re going to take a look at one of the easiest to learn.

First, you’re going to want this spawn:

When you spawn here, you will find this indent on the roof:

Then shift walk until your crosshair hits here:

Then immediately jumpthrow. You’ve now learned how to smoke Elbow effectively.

Red

The flipside of the Elbow smoke for CT, being able to smoke Red instantly on the T-Side is a very effective way to make Mid control difficult for your opponents. Here’s how to throw it.

You’ll need this spawn:

Next, aim here:

Then W+Jumpthrow, and you’ve thrown the perfect Red smoke.

Heaven

Smoking Heaven from spawn is super useful on your T-Side. You can isolate Mid and Catwalk, and play around it in a multitude of ways. Let’s learn it.

From the same spawn as the Red smoke, you’ll want to position your crosshair here:

Then simply Jumpthrow.

Jaguar

Sometimes you’re going to want to smoke the entrance of Jaguar. It’s situational, but it can be very strong if it comes with a plan behind it.

From the same spawn as the previous two smokes, you’re going to position your crosshair as shown below.

Then a simple jumpthrow will smoke off Jag.

Donut

Conversely, depending on your gameplan, you might want to smoke Donut from spawn.

You’ll need this spawn:

Then you’ll want to aim here:

And W+Jumpthrow.

Mirage

Window

Probably the most famous and widely-used spawn smoke in the entire game, the Mirage Window smoke is crucial for getting literally anything done on your T-Side. Here’s how to throw it.

First, you’re going to want this spawn (as with Ancient, there are many other ways to throw it, but this is the most common):

Next, you’re going to position your crosshair as shown below.

Now a W+Jumpthrow will smoke off Window and make your T-Side that much easier.

Connector

Whilst this smoke isn’t from an actual spawn, it’s close enough that it made it into this article. In T-Spawn, you’re going to stand in the corner of the bin, as shown below.

Position your crosshair here:

And simply jumpthrow.

Top Mid

Similar to the Connector smoke, this Top Mid smoke isn’t from a set spawn, but it is so close, quick, and important that we couldn’t justify leaving it out. For the perfect Top Mid smoke, line up in this corner of the bin:

Position your crosshair as shown:

And simply left-click to throw.

Overpass

Monster

Overpass isn’t known for its wide range of spawn smokes. Having said that, there are two which can be thrown from CT Spawn and are very useful for your B players.

For both smokes, you’re going to get stuck in this corner:

For the Monster smoke, you’re going to look here:

And jumpthrow.

Short

For the Short smoke, in the same place, you’re going to position your crosshair here:

And, once again, simply jumpthrow.

So, there you have it. In this first part of our spawn smokes mini-series, you’ve learned how to throw some of the most important instant smokes on Mirage, Ancient, and Overpass. Next time, we’ll look at the rest of the maps in the pool. 

In the meantime, if you’re after more utility advice, check out the rest of our Utility Secrets series. If you’re learning util because you’re building a team and want to learn about the intricacies of team CS, you might find our guide to team roles useful. Or, if pure mechanics is more your style, take a look at this list of bad habits and how to avoid them. Until next time – enjoy the grind!