EN

Italy Callouts

Here, we’re going to look at all of the map’s most important callouts, but we’ll also look at some of the site’s best strategies, so you can learn how to dominate in both offense and defense, whether you’re a Terrorist or Counter-Terrorist.
This map and the callouts are the same (or very similar) in both CS2 and CS:GO.
Italy
  • 1
    T Spawn: This is the starting area for the Terrorist team - and where their offensive strategies start out.
  • 2
    CT Spawn: Conversely, this is the Counter-Terrorists’ starting point, which is the best place for plotting any early defenses.
  • 3
    T House: The T House is the structure in the center that is controlled by the Terrorists - and it's important for hostages and positioning.
  • 4
    Snipe Window: The Snipe Window is an elevated sniper position that overlooks the main areas of the map and it offers some of the best sightlines.
  • 5
    T Stairs: The T Stairs connect the T Spawn area with higher levels - and it's an important path for any advancing Terrorists.
  • 6
    Mid: The Middle Of The Map
  • 7
    T Tunnel: The T Tunnel is an enclosed pathway that can be used by the Terrorist team for making stealthy maneuvers.
  • 8
    T Roof: The T Roof is a high vantage point for the Terrorist team - and it’s perfect for overwatch or flanking.
  • 9
    CT Left: This is a left-side route from CT Spawn which is often used to access the central areas of the map.
  • 10
    CT Right: The CT Right is the right flank from CT Spawn, which is important for making tactical advances.
  • 11
    Market: The Market is the open central zone that often becomes the focal point for skirmishes and engagements.
  • 12
    House Window: This gives an excellent sightline into and out of T House, which is important for either reconnaissance or defense.
  • 13
    Bedroom: The Bedroom is a confined room that’s great for close-quarters combat.
  • 14
    Mid Boost: This is a great spot where both CT and T players can gain elevation to give them a tactical advantage.
  • 15
    Left Street: This is a lateral pathway that offers excellent flanking opportunities.
  • 16
    Right Street: The Right Street is a parallel route that provides players with alternative flanking options.
  • 17
    Upper Cellar: This is an elevated cellar area that’s perfect for surprise attacks or defensive holds.
  • 18
    Lower Cellar: The Lower Cellar is a below-ground area that challenges players to try and master vertical combat dynamics.
  • 19
    Long: This is a long pathway that’s created for long-range duels.
  • 20
    Stairs Room: The Stairs Room is a small enclosed space with stairs - and it’s perfect for ambushing and close encounter fights.
  • 21
    Below Stairs: This is the concealed area that’s just underneath the stairs, which players use for hiding and stealthy positioning.

The Italy map in Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) is one of the classics – and it’s one that has managed to capture the imagination of players ever since it was first released back in 2000. It’s full of challenges and excitement, with its network of intricate pathways – reminiscent of the backstreets of Italy, the tight corners, and all sorts of strategic zones that make it a favorite with the more experienced players. This is a map that offers just the right mix of close-quarters combat and tactical gameplay… and is not to be taken lightly!

Why Italy Matters in CS2

So, what makes this one such an important map to know and understand? Well, Italy stands out in the game’s map pool for all sorts of reasons – with its multi-layered design and the fact that it offers balanced gameplay dynamics. The Terrorists (T) need to escort hostages while the Counter-Terrorists (CT) need to try to rescue the hostages and take control of the map. 

The map has a mix of long sightlines and enclosed spaces, which means that excellent teamwork, super-quick reflexes, and strategic communication are hugely important… all of which are made a lot easier if you manage to master the Italy callouts.

Our Top Strategies for Mastering Italy Callouts

Here are our top strategies for mastering Italy – and its callouts…

Terrorist Strategies

  1. Use T Mid to get Map Control
    • Why it’s important: the T Mid area offers plenty of routes to some of the main map locations – such as Market and CT Mid. If you manage to get control here, you and your team will be able to dictate the pace of the game.
    • How to execute: To do this, use smokes and flashes to try and block the vision of the CTs while you push through T Mid. You should also split your team to put pressure on them on different fronts.
  2. Use the T Tunnel for Stealth
    • Why it’s important: This tunnel basically gives you a hidden route so that you can bypass open combat areas.
    • How to execute: Move silently through the T Tunnel and surprise any CTs who are stationed at the Market or CT Mid. Make sure you coordinate properly with your teammates, so you all strike at the same time.
  3. Dominate from T Roof
    • Why it’s important: The T Roof gives you a vantage point for overwatch and can help you to suppress advancing CTs.
    • How to execute: Get a sniper or rifleman in your team to hold the T Roof while the rest of the team pushes through the T Stairs or T Mid.
  4. Hostage Management
    • Why it’s important: Hostages are the main objective for the CT team. If you make sure they’re always properly guarded will force the CTs into predictable paths – allowing you to act accordingly.
    • How to execute: You’ll need to position your team in defensive zones like T House and Bedroom so that you can try to delay any CT advances.

Counter-Terrorist Strategies

  1. Secure the Market Early
    • Why it’s important: The Market is essentially used as a crossroad for engagements. If you secure and hold it, it will essentially limit the movement of the Terrorists and create chokepoints that you can use to your advantage.
    • How to execute: Use utility to take control of the Market early on in the round. Station some of your players at the Snipe Window and CT Mid where they’ll have crossfire opportunities.
  2. Flank Through the Left and Right Streets
    • Why it’s important: These routes will give your team alternative angles to try to disrupt T strategies.
    • How to execute: Assign one of your team members to quietly move through the Left or Right Street while the rest of your team holds the CT Mid and Market.
  3. Use the CT Spawn Area for Rotations
    • Why it’s important: Making quick rotations is one of the most effective ways to counter T pushes.
    • How to execute: You should keep one of your players at the CT Spawn where they can anchor rotations and respond to any T advances at the Market or T Stairs.
  4. Master Verticality
    • Why it’s important: Some of the important map areas like the Upper Cellar and Lower Cellar will need you to be able to have a solid grasp of vertical combat.
    • How to execute: You can use grenades to clear any of the enemy players above or below you. Assign one of your teammates to cover these areas while you advance.

The 10 Most Important Callouts to Learn First

There are numerous callouts to try and master – and it’s not easy. So, if you’re going to prioritize any, here are the ten main callouts you need to learn first and a more detailed explanation of why they are so important:

  1. T Spawn: This is where the Terrorist team starts out – and launches their offensive… It’s also where a lot of the strategy plotting begins.
  2. CT Spawn: This is where the Counter-Terrorist side start out – where their defence strategies are orchestrated and where it all begins.
  3. T Stairs: This is a nexus point that is absolutely essential if you want your team to control the overall tempo of the match as it connects several attack paths.
  4. Market: You’ll need to know this as it is a super-busy crossroads of conflicts. This is where the most tactical engagements happen and helps you get all important control over the central area.
  5. T Mid: This is important for Terrorists and it gives them a vantage point of the battlefield and the various routes to the map’s most important points.
  6. Tunnel: Knowing the main tunnel will help you and your team bypass the central fray, so you can make stealthy maneuvers and surprise attacks.
  7. Snipe Window: This is an important overwatch position where snipers and sharpshooters can cover their teammates and take out their enemies.
  8. Bedroom: The tight corners and limited sightlines make this an important area for close-quarters combat.
  9. Long: This is where the long-range duels happen – and where a good marksman can completely turn the tide of the match.
  10. House Window: This is a strategic visual point where you can look to see what is happening out there to help you defend against your enemy.

The Most Common Engagement Zones in Italy – and How to Win Them

Want to rule the map? Well here’s how you can do just that!

The Market

  • Why it matters: This is the central area of the map and, as such, it often becomes the map’s biggest battlefield.
  • Top winning tips:
    • Terrorists: Use your smokes to try to obscure the sightlines of the CTs and then push forward aggressively.
    • CT side: Try to hold your defensive angles and use your flashes to stop any Terrorist advances.

T Mid vs. CT Mid

  • Why it matters: If you control the Mid, it will give you and your team access to lots of zones on the Italy map.
  • Winning tips:
    • Terrorists: Pre-aim the most common CT positions and use your utility to create space.
    • CTs: Make sure you hold tight angles and coordinate crossfires with your teammates.

Snipe Window

  • Why it matters: This is the position that gives you the best oversight of the highest-traffic areas.
  • Winning tips:
    • Terrorists: Use your grenades to flush out those snipers.
    • CTs: Pair your sniper with a supporting rifleman so you can hold your position.

Our Top 5 Tips for Winning on Italy

  1. It’s All About Communication: Remember to learn the most important callouts – as clear callouts help to avoid confusion and improve your overall team coordination.
  2. Map Awareness: Get knowledge of the map’s high-traffic zones and try to understand common enemy strategies.
  3. Use Utility Wisely: Smoke grenades, flashes, and molotovs can help you to disrupt your opponents and get control in engagements.
  4. Adaptability: Be prepared to switch your team tactics based on the flow of the game and how it’s going.
  5. Practice: As always, practice makes perfect. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the map’s layout and the main callouts – as this will help you to get the edge over your opponents.

Conclusion

Since it was first released back in 2000, the Italy map has been a firm favorite with Counter-Strike players – and over more than 20 years, it still hasn’t lost any of its appeal. It has a real tactical depth to it that makes it a great map option, whether you’re looking for competitive or casual play. 

Hopefully, by using all the callouts and strategies in this guide, you and your team will be well on your way to conquering your enemies on the Italy map in CS2.

FAQs

What is the Italy map in CS2?

The Italy map is a classic hostage rescue map where the Counter-Terrorists (CTs) need to try to rescue the hostages that are being held by Terrorists (Ts). It is set in a pretty little Italian village with lots of narrow streets, wide-open market areas, and multi-level buildings, so it’s all about strategic gameplay.

What are the main callouts on the Italy map?

Some of the main callouts on the map include T Spawn, CT Spawn, Market, T Mid and Snipe Window. It’s important that you and your team know these callouts so you can communicate with each other effectively and put together a solid map strategy. You can learn callouts by using special callout maps.

What strategies work best on Italy?

If you’re a CT, you should get control of the Market and CT Mid so you can block the T team’s advances and stay in control of the map. As a Terrorist, you’ll benefit from using stealthy routes like the T Tunnel or you can try to overwhelm CT positions by using coordinated pushes through the T Stairs and Market.

When was the Italy map released?

The Italy map was released along with the original Counter-Strike game back in 2000 and has since been updated and upgraded with the release of CS2 in 2023.

Why is Italy popular?

The Italy map is a big hit because it has tactical depth, the design is iconic – and for those who have been playing the game since it was originally released in 2000, it has a sense of nostalgia.