What CS2 maps are T or CT-sided? It’s a question many players ask when starting out, especially with the addition of side voting in Premier mode. You need to know which CS2 maps you should expect to do better on the T or CT sides, and it can be important when seeing how many rounds you’re getting throughout a game. Get eight T-side rounds on Nuke? You’re almost certainly going to win the game. Have a tough CT-side on Train? Good luck.
CS2 matches are not linear, and it will still depend on who you play against in any given game. However, each CS2 map has its own natural advantages that determine whether it’s CT or T-sided in general. The same applies to the pro scene, too, where every small detail can be exploited by players. These are all the CS2 maps, and whether they’re CT or T-sided.
All T-Sided CS2 Maps
There are currently just two T-sided CS2 maps in Active Duty. These are some well-known classics.
Dust2
Dust2 is one of the oldest CS2 maps in existence, an iconic staple of the game. However, its varied spawns mean that T-side players will often play spawn-based Counter-Strike, making calls at the start of every round based on where they can get to the quickest. While this won’t be the case in every single round, over the course of a match this gives Ts a distinct advantage, especially if they decide to play with pace. As a result, this makes Dust 2 a very T-sided CS2 map.
Inferno
Inferno feels more balanced than it actually is. Both of its bombsites are very enclosed, which makes it difficult for Ts to get into them in the first place. However, once they’re in, retakes are pretty much impossible for the same reason. As a result, Inferno becomes one of the most T-sided CS2 maps due to the sheer number of saves that CTs do in an average match.
Several maps that were previously part of the Active Duty map pool were also famous for being heavily T-sided. This contributed to their eventual removal. These are:
All CT-Sided CS2 Maps
On the flip side, there are three CT-sided CS2 maps in the pool right now, including the two most recent additions.
Nuke
Nuke has always been one of the most CT-sided CS2 maps. Its unique layout and verticality, with one bombsite above the other, make it a nightmare for Ts. CTs have quick rotations from every area, long sightlines to just about anywhere Ts could be, and very retakeable bombsites. All in, it’s a recipe for a particularly CT-sided CS2 map.
Overpass
Overpass is the newest Active Duty map pool addition, and right now, it’s by far and away the most CT-sided map in CS2. The B bombsite is particularly difficult to break, and quick rotations for CTs mean it’s equally hard to hold. The bathrooms up on A are perfect for smart CTs to outmaneuver Ts. It’s arguably the size of the map that makes Overpass so awkward for Ts – it becomes very difficult to make smart rotations without giving up all the info for CTs to make their moves.
Train
Train has always been CT-sided, and even its reintroduction in CS2 hasn’t changed this. Long sightlines remain an AWPer’s paradise, and narrow entry points to both bombsites mean that CTs don’t have much trouble locking Ts out on this map.
Balanced CS2 Maps
Ultimately, not all CS2 maps fit under the banner of T or CT-sided. Some are perfectly balanced as they are, and you’ll generally see teams able to mount big comebacks after torrid halves either way here.
Ancient
Ancient is pretty much perfectly balanced. It’s not a CT-sided CS2 map, nor is it a T-sided one. Its layout is very basic, adhering to traditional FPS three-lane design principles. This gives Ts plenty of options, and clever CTs equally as many opportunities to stop them. Both bomb sites have multiple entry points that are easily accessible with good timings on rotations, making it both difficult to hold and to retake in a post-plant.
Mirage
Mirage is arguably the most iconic Counter-Strike map of all time, and might be the best-designed FPS map ever made. Players on both sides have options aplenty from the start of each round to surprise their opponents, while particularly good players always have a way to counter what their opponents are doing via utility usage. Mirage is the ultimate war of attrition. At the highest level, it is a very balanced CS2 map, even if it doesn’t feel like that when a Mirage god is stomping you in Premier.
