How to Pop a Smoke with an HE in CS2

An HE detonating inside an active smoke briefly opens a sightline through it. Players call this a reveal, popping the smoke, or exploding the smoke. On GetReplay, prepared throws for this play are grouped under the Reveal type.

The play is strongest when the opponent trusts the smoke and your rifle is already ready for the opening.

Why pop a smoke with an HE

• Break a one-way. Remove the dense part of the cloud that protects the player using it.
• Punish a predictable position. An AWPer or anchor behind the smoke can be exposed and may also take HE damage.
• Create an entry or retake window. One player throws while another holds the new sightline.
• Force movement. The explosion and sudden loss of cover can push a defender out of a strong setup.
• Check before crossing. You get a visual check without first committing a player through the smoke.

The advantage comes from timing: your team knows exactly when the cover will open, while the opponent has to react.

Sound can give the reveal away

Before exploding, the HE can hit the floor or a wall. That contact is audible. A player inside or behind the smoke who hears an HE land nearby can pre-aim the expected peek, move away, or prepare a counter-peek.

When you are close to the smoke, avoid that advance warning. A clean reveal gives the opponent the explosion as their first cue—not a bounce immediately before it.

Two quiet close-range throws

Both methods below are for a player standing next to the smoke on roughly the same elevation.

1. Right-click plus a brief left-click. Hold the right mouse button, add the left mouse button for a fraction of a second, then release both. The HE should explode in the smoke without touching the floor or a wall first.
2. Crouch, right-click, jumpthrow. Hold Ctrl, prepare the grenade with the right mouse button, and use your jumpthrow. This is another close-range option that avoids a warning bounce when executed correctly.

Practice each throw against the actual smoke and watch the full grenade path. If the HE touches a surface before the explosion, the opponent may hear it.

How to use the opening

1. Decide which part of the smoke must open and which position you expect behind it.
2. Put the shooter behind cover with their weapon and crosshair ready before the throw.
3. Call the HE so the thrower and shooter share the timing.
4. Hold or peek the chosen line on the explosion. Do not wait until the smoke starts filling back in.

The sightline works both ways, so keep teammates out of the line you are about to open.

Common mistakes

• Letting the HE bounce off the floor or a wall and warning the defender.
• Using these close-range methods from too far away or from a different elevation.
• Throwing before the shooter is ready, then losing time while switching back to a rifle.
• Opening a large but irrelevant part of the smoke instead of the line aimed at the expected position.
• Exposing a teammate through your own opening.