Grenades and utility
Mirage Window Smokes in CS2: Instant and Cart Lineups
Learn why to smoke Mirage window, choose from five instant T-spawn throws or the cart lineup, and open each video guide without leaving the article.
Updated September 11, 2026
An AWPer in Mirage window can punish the first player crossing mid. A window smoke removes that sightline long enough for the T side to take space and prepare a connector or short play. Its value comes from what your team does while the smoke is active.
This collection contains five instant T-spawn lineups and one cart lineup. Select a throw to open its video, starting position, crosshair reference and inputs. The widget also links to the full guide.
Which window, and why smoke it?
This is the sniper-room window overlooking mid. B market window is a separate position with its own smoke.
Once the smoke blooms, the window player loses a direct view across part of mid. That creates time to cross, take top mid and prepare your next piece of utility. Use it to support a B split through short, or a connector play alongside teammates attacking A.
Instant window smokes from T spawn
Choose the lineup for your actual starting position. The numbers identify these library entries; they are not universal CS2 spawn numbers. Compare the position image and practice setpos before copying the crosshair reference.
- Instant window smoke: T spawn, variant 1
- Instant window smoke: T spawn, variant 2
- Instant window smoke: T spawn, variant 3
- Instant window smoke: T spawn, variant 4
- Instant window smoke: T spawn, variant 5
All five cards specify left click, a jump and W movement. Follow the individual demonstration: extra running or a different starting point changes the throw. Call the smoke as landed only after it has bloomed.
The cart window smoke
Use this when you have already reached cart at top mid and need to close window before continuing. You must first reach the throwing position, so it cannot provide the same opening sequence as a spawn smoke.
The card shows a crouched left-click throw by the barrel. Check that you can occupy the spot before lining up.
Choosing a smoke for the round
| Situation | Choice | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Early mid take | Your instant spawn lineup | Starting point and bloom timing |
| Already at cart | Cart lineup | Safety of the throwing position |
| Covering the top-mid crossing | Separate top-mid smoke | Sightlines from your intended route |
The top-mid smoke lands elsewhere; it does not duplicate a smoke inside window. A short play may also need a connector smoke. For an A split, agree when you intend to pass through connector itself.
Practise the timing as well as the throw
Use the grenade practice config and repeat one lineup. Check both the window player's view and the crossing player's view with noclip. Then rehearse with a teammate: one throws, the other follows your route. Review your demo to see whether you used the covered window and which angle caused the next problem.
