Thera Callouts

You may have heard of Thera – as this is one of the latest maps to be introduced to Counter-Strike 2. Open it up, look around, and you’ll see a unique-looking battleground that’s filled with narrow corridors, open sightlines, and seriously strategic chokepoints. Like any Counter-Strike map, if you want to become a Thera master, then you need to get to grips with all the various callouts— which are specific terms for the different areas on the map that can help you and your teammates relay important information quickly and efficiently. 

So, with that being said, here’s our guide to Thera’s callouts, – which should hopefully help you and your team work your way around the map more effectively, improve your communication, and hopefully beat the opposition.

The Layout of the Thera Map

Like the other competitive maps, Thera comes with two bomb sites—A and B—which you’ll find in strategically tricky areas with paths you need to successfully navigate to get from one to another. 

What’s more, it’s great because it offers plenty of opportunities for both long-range frays and close-quarter battles, with plenty of places to take cover and lots of elevated areas to get an overview of all the action. 

If you want to be a Thera map winner, you and your team need to fully understand all of its unique zones so you can coordinate your attacks, defend bomb sites, and make those successful rotations.

The Main Thera Callouts

So, with all that being said, here are the main callouts for this cool new map

• CT Spawn: This is the starting area for the Counter-Terrorists team – and this is where they gather to plan all of their initial defensive positions.
• T Spawn: Where the terrorist team starts out.
• Truck: The Truck is a central landmark that you’ll find near Mid and it’s often used either as cover or as a reference for rotations.
• Mid: The Mid is the whole central section of the map, which is important for getting control of rotations and for quickly being able to access both of the bomb sites.
• Long: The Long is, unsurprisingly, a long corridor that leads to either of the bomb sites, and it’s ideal for long-range fights and is crucial if you want to get control of the map.
• Short: This is a quicker path that means faster rotations – and you can generally use it to surprise your opponents or support the site’s defence.
• A Site: This is one of the map’s two bomb sites, which can be found near the Ramp and Door callouts. It’s comparatively wide open, and there are a number of different entry points.
• B Site: This is the second of the map’s two bomb sites, and it features a few different positions like Heaven and Stairs that can give you both cover and excellent vantage points over the action.
• Connector: This is the passage that links the main map areas, and this is what helps you to rotate between the sites or ambush your opponents.
• Piano Room: As the name suggests… a room with a piano, which provides you with strategic cover and an elevated position. Players often use it for defensive setups or ambushes.
• Window Corner: This is located near Mid – and it has a window that gives you sightlines into some of the most important areas. It’s usually just used for quick peeks and scouting.
• Tower: This is the elevated structure you’ll see near B Site, which offers a great vantage point for defenders or attackers who want to take control of the site.
• Cubby: A small hiding spot (there’s one near both the A and B Sites) that defenders use to surprise any unsuspecting attackers. Attackers need to check the Cubby, so they’re not ambushed.
• Heaven: This is an elevated area that overlooks the bomb sites, and is a great vantage point for the defenders to monitor and control who is entering the site. This position is absolutely critical for defence.
• Hell: Hell is the low-ground position that sits directly beneath Heaven – which is often hidden from immediate sight. It’s useful for anyone who wants to surprise enemies that are trying to enter the site from above.

Make sure you and your team are completely comfortable with the callouts – so you can communicate properly and dominate the map!

The Best Grenade Throws for Thera

However, controlling the most important areas on Thera isn’t just about knowing the callouts. When you start playing on it, you’ll know that it also relies heavily on precise grenade throws. As such, here are some of the most important grenade tactics – whether you’re a Terrorist or a Counter-Terrorist.

Counter-Terrorists

First, let’s look at the CTs…

1. Mid Smoke
   • Standing by the pharmacy sign at the edge of the wall.
   • Try to aim it at the blue part of the roof – right between the two spikes.
   • Perform a jump throw that will help you block the visibility of any Terrorists that are approaching Mid. 
2. A Site Exit Smoke
   • Just opposite the pharmacy, try to aim for the top-left corner of the window.
   • Jump-throw so that you get in the way of Terrorist sightlines and limit their movement towards the A Site. 
3. Underground Incendiary
   • When you’re on the bridge steps at A Site, aim it at a window across the way.
   • Release it with a short run so that you block off the underground route and delay the movements of your enemies.

Terrorist Side

Here are some good throws for the Terrorists

1. B Site Stairs Smoke
   • Use when you’re standing by the graffiti wall at B Site.
   • Aim your smoke at the center of the creature’s “lips” and then jump throw so that you obscure the stairs. 
2. B Site Victory Smoke
   • You need to be in the same position as above, but this time, aim at the “Y” in “Victory.”
   • Jump-throw to cover site entries, helping to secure your bomb placement. 
3. Mid Window Smoke
   • Do it from the left edge of the railing in Mid, and aim just above the roof.
   • Step forward and then jump throw so that you block the Counter-Terrorists’ view through the window – which eases access through Mid. 
4. A Site Connector Smoke
   • Get in the same position as above, but now you need to aim at the lower roof edge.
   • Release it while you’re jumping so that you close off the sightlines for the Counter-Terrorists – and cover your team movements as they go into A Site. 

These are all about precise aiming and timing – so make sure that you take the time to regularly practise these throws – as these really will help your team take control of the map, have an impact on your opponent’s visibility – and help you with all your Thera strategies.

Tactics for CT and T Sides on Thera

Being able to deploy effective tactics is every bit as being familiar with the map layout and callouts. Need a little help? Then here are some of the best approaches for either side.

Counter-Terrorist Side Tactics

When you’re taking the role of a CT, here are some strategies you and your team could employ:

1. Aggressive Mid Control
   • Use your smokes and flashes early so that you get control over Mid.
   • Position one or two of your team’s players aggressively in Mid so that they are able to disrupt any Terrorist advances – and gather important information.
   • Combine the use of your utility to try to delay Terrorist pushes through Mid – and give your teammates time to set up at A and B. 
2. A Site Defence
   • Use your incendiary grenades in the underground path to try to deter any fast pushes.
   • Position one of your players on-site with another one ready to rotate from Mid or B Site as and when needed.
   • Use your exit smokes to try to block off the Terrorist’s sightlines – and then limit their options for approaching A. 
3. B Site Hold
   • Heaven is a hugely important point if you want to defend B, so you have sight over all the main entrances.
   • Use your smokes and incendiary grenades to try to cover entry points, which should hopefully funnel any attackers into fights that they’ll have trouble winning.
   • Rotate between the stairs and Heaven to keep the B Site secure and make sure that you can respond to pressure flexibly. 

T Side Tactics

Here are some top tips and strategies for Terrorists:

1. Mid Control and Split Push
   • Take control of Mid by using smokes and flashes – so that you isolate any Counter-Terrorist defenders.
   • Divide your team so that you approach A or B from a few different angles, which will put pressure on them across the map.
   • Use a window smoke to try to cut off the sightlines of the CTs – as this will make it safer to move around Mid movement and help with site splits. 
2. Fast B Execution
   • Block off the doors and stairs using your smokes, and isolate any of the CT defenders on B.
   • Use your flashbangs and molotovs to clear all the essential areas and force any loitering CTs out of their cover.
   • Move as a coordinated unit with your team to try to overwhelm the CT defenders and plant the bomb! 
3. A Site Pressure
   • Use the connector and zigzag smokes to try to restrict the movement of the Counter-Terrorists.
   • Keep the pressure on the A Site with well-timed pushes and keep the defenders occupied.
   • Use smokes in the Piano Room and window to give you extra cover and create safer opportunities to plant your bomb. 

Thera – It’s All in the Timing

Timing is absolutely essential if you want to successfully implement your strategies and keep up your momentum on the Thera map. As such, here are some of the most important timings you need to consider to perform at your best.

Counter-Terrorist Side Timing

• Early Mid Smoke:

Use a mid smoke straight after you have spawned so that you can block the Terrorist team’s vision and try to delay any pushes – this should buy you and your teammates a bit of time to get yourselves in position.

• A Site Incendiary:

Quickly throw an incendiary into the underground passage when you hear any movement or think there will be a rush. This should delay your enemy – and potentially try to avoid aggressive gameplay from the opposition.

• Rotations:

Be ready to rotate between the sites based on the information you get from Mid and any early encounters. By rotating effectively, you can prevent them from breaching the site and hopefully help with retakes.

Terrorist Side Timing

• Early Mid Control:

Try to get control over Mid within the first 10–15 seconds of playing, so you get off to a strong start. By getting early control of Mid it means you can be more flexible when split-pushing A and B.

• B Site Execute:

Start a B site push somewhere around the 1:20 mark  – as this should give you enough time to clear the site and plant your bomb. Coordinate how you use your utility here – as this will make you a lot more effective. 

• A Site Pressure:

Apply pressure on the A Site within the first 60 seconds of the round to keep the Counter-Terrorists guessing. Try using smokes and flashes early on – as this will force the CTs out of position and give you more bomb planting opportunities.

Top Tips for Dominating the Thera Map

So – with all that being said, here are our top tips on being a Thera champion.

• Memorize the Thera Callouts with Your Teammates: Proper and consistent use of the Thera callouts is important to work together effectively. Make sure you agree on the callout terminology you use with your teammates and make sure everyone is on the same page.  
• Control of the Mid Gives You a Tactical Advantage: Whether you’re a Terrorist of Counter-Terrorist, taking control of Mid – and its surrounding areas means that your rotations will be quicker and more efficient – and, at the same time, it can limit the movement options of your enemy. 
• Practise Your Rotations: Knowing the shortest routes between sites will not only speed up your response time – but also make it quicker and easier to come to the assistance of any teammates in need. 
• Check the Hiding Spots: Positions like A and B Cubby, Pit, and Hell are commonly used hiding spots – so make sure you check these regularly so you’re not ambushed. 
• Always Communicate: Always keep your teammates informed, especially about enemy positions and potential threats that you’re aware of. Clear and accurate communication is important if you want to win! 

Ultimately, Thera is a very dynamic map that has lots of different strategic points and chokepoints – so it can be very challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. Learn the callouts – make sure you and your team are comfortably familiar with them… and hopefully this will give you the edge in any CS2 Thera match.