Dust II callouts in CS2: place names, smokes and map history
Dust II callouts: the place names in Valve's CS2 game text, Valve's official smoke lineups with stand and aim points and the map's history in Valve's posts.
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This guide lists the Dust II place names in the English text of Counter-Strike 2, Valve’s official smoke lineups for the map and the map’s history from Valve’s announcements. The place names and lineups are taken from the game files as of Oct. 15, 2026.
Dust II callouts: the game’s place names
Valve’s English game text lists these place names for Dust II:
- Mid Arch
- Outside Long
- Long Doors
- Above Pit
- Pit
- A Platform
- Long A
- A Ramp
- Back of A
- Bricks
- Short Stairs
- Short
- Catwalk
- Mid
- Top of Mid
- Mid Doors
- Extended A
- B Doors
- Hole
- B Platform
- Back of B
- Upper Tunnel
- Tunnel Stairs
- Lower Tunnel
- Outside Tunnel
- Under A
- T Ramp
Official smoke lineups
Valve’s official grenade guide for Dust II contains seven smoke lineups: Xbox, B Doors, A Cross, Mid CT, CT, B Tunnel and Long A Doors. Each one gives a standing spot, an aim point and a throw type. The table below uses the wording of Valve’s guide.
| Lineup | Where to stand | Where to aim | Throw |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox | Stand in Corner. | Aim at corner where buildings meet. | Left Click Jump Throw. |
| B Doors | Stand in corner by trash. | Aim at corner of building. | Left Click Jump Throw. |
| A Cross | Stand at end of Blue trash. | Aim slightly to the right of upper building. | Left Click Throw. |
| Mid CT | Stand against middle of door. | Aim at circle on door frame. | Left Click Jump Throw. |
| CT | Stand in Corner. | Aim at corner of building. | Left Click Throw. |
| B Tunnel | Stand in Corner. | Aim at wooden crossbeam. | Left Click Jump Throw. |
| Long A Doors | Stand in Corner. | Aim at bottom of wire along building trim. | Left Click Jump Throw. |
Valve’s April 28, 2026 update uncovered Mid Box (Xbox) “to reveal a previously hidden jump spot. On purpose this time.”
Dust II history in Valve’s posts
Active Duty in 2014 and 2017
In the July 1, 2014 release notes, Valve divided CS:GO maps into three groups: Active Duty, Reserves and Operation. Dust II was listed among the Active Duty maps. The same notes list two fixes for the map: some spots where the C4 could get stuck, and reduced post processing effects.
On Feb. 3, 2017, Valve wrote that Inferno had returned to Active Duty, replacing Dust II, after the ELEAGUE Major. Inferno was to be featured at the next CS:GO Major. Valve added that Dust II was “now front and center on the Competitive Matchmaking map selection screen.” In Casual and Deathmatch, the map groups gained extra categories: Active Duty, Hostage, Reserves and Dust II.
The new Dust II, Oct. 18, 2017
On Oct. 18, 2017, Valve announced that the new Dust II was live. According to the post, the map captures the essence of CS. With the new release, Valve wanted to honor the map’s pure form while buffing away the jagged edges. The post also said the map would keep getting updates as more feedback came in.
“The quintessential CS:GO map, Dust II has been a classic since its original release.” – Valve, Oct. 18, 2017
Back in the pool, 2018
On April 20, 2018, Valve announced that Cobblestone was out of Active Duty and Dust II was back in. In that post Valve called Dust II “CS:GO’s most iconic map.” The revised pool was to be featured at the FACEIT Major in London later that year. Cobblestone stayed available in each game mode.
Anubis in, Dust II out, Nov. 18, 2022
In a post published at 2:53 p.m. PST on Nov. 18, 2022, Valve said Anubis was being added to Active Duty and Dust II removed. The change determined which maps would be played at the 2023 Paris Major. Both maps stayed available in Casual, Deathmatch and Competitive modes.
Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test, June 6, 2023
The release notes published at 2:43 p.m. PDT on June 6, 2023 say Mirage replaced Dust II on official Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test matchmaking servers.
Return to Active Duty, April 25, 2024
Valve’s post of April 25, 2024, published at 4:35 p.m. PDT, says the Active Duty map pool was updated for both Premier and competitions. Overpass was removed and Dust II brought back.
Mid Box update, April 28, 2026
The CS2 update published at 3:24 p.m. PDT on April 28, 2026 lists one change for Dust II. Valve uncovered Mid Box (Xbox) to reveal a previously hidden jump spot.
FAQ
When did Dust II return to Active Duty for Premier?
Valve’s April 25, 2024 update removed Overpass and brought Dust II back into the Active Duty map pool for both Premier and competitions.
Could you still play Dust II when it left Active Duty?
Yes. When Valve removed Dust II from Active Duty in November 2022, it said the map was still available in Casual, Deathmatch and Competitive modes.
What changed at the Xbox spot in 2026?
Valve’s update of April 28, 2026 uncovered Mid Box (Xbox) to reveal a previously hidden jump spot. The notes add: “On purpose this time.”
When did the redesigned Dust II go live?
Valve announced the new Dust II on Oct. 18, 2017, in a post titled “The Dust has Settled.”
What is the line-up reticle in CS2?
Valve’s April 25, 2024 update added a line-up reticle that appears shortly after you pull the pin. The delay can be customized for each grenade type.
Sources
- Valve, CS2 official map guide de_dust2.txt (GameTracking-CS2 mirror, Oct. 15, 2026)
- Valve, CS2 game file csgo_english.txt, place names (GameTracking-CS2 mirror, Oct. 15, 2026)
- Valve, Release Notes for 7/1/2014 (July 1, 2014)
- Valve, Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust (Feb. 3, 2017)
- Valve, The Dust has Settled (Oct. 18, 2017)
- Valve, Smoke Mid Every Day (April 20, 2018)
- Valve, Anu Map Who Bis (Nov. 18, 2022)
- Valve, Release Notes for 6/6/2023 (June 6, 2023)
- Valve, On The Other Hand... (April 25, 2024)
- Valve, Counter-Strike 2 Update (April 28, 2026)