Most players think CS:GO is all about shooting your opponents and moving efficiently, but there’s more to the game than just that. Utility, mainly grenades, create an extra layer of complexity and depth into the game.
The presence of grenades allow players to outsmart their opponents and create advantageous situations with effective usage. In this article, we’ll go over a complete guide discussing CS:GO utility, what they are, and how to use them.
What Does Utility Mean In CS:GO?
In the real world, the word “utility” refers to something that is useful, especially through being able to perform several functions. With this in mind, CS:GO utility refers to tactical equipment that players can buy and make use of during rounds.
The Different Types Of Utility In CS:GO
In the context of Counter-Strike, there are six items in the shop that are considered utility items which help players control and win rounds:
- Smoke
- Flashbang
- Frag Grenade
- Molotov or Incendiary Grenade
- Decoy
- Defuse Kit
From the six items mentioned above, five of the grenades are available on both the Terrorist and Counter-Terrorist side. However, the Defuse Kit is only available for the latter since they are the only side that can defuse the bomb.
Now that we’ve gotten a clear understanding of the different types of CS:GO utility, it is crucial that you have a grasp of what each of them are and how to use them effectively. Let’s talk about the CS:GO utility available in the game.
Smoke
The Smoke grenade is a harmless grenade that creates a cloud of smoke upon landing. It is best used to gain map control and progress to deeper areas of the map.
What Is The Smoke Used For?
The Smoke is primarily used to block vision from enemy players. These smoke clouds are very useful to create “barries,” allowing players to cross through dangerous areas without being detected. These grenades are crucial to obscure the lines of sight from enemy players, especially ones who are wielding the AWP.
Smoke Usage
Smokes can be used offensively and defensively.
For offense, smokes are incredibly important to block off key positions. These key positions are usually sniper-friendly spots, such as Mid Doors on Dust II or Window Room on Mirage. Having these sorts of angles blocked off can help Terrorists progress through the map and take control of several areas.
Smokes can also be very helpful in post-plant situations once Terrorists have gotten the bomb down. They can smoke off entry points, which will shave time off the clock or force Counter-Terrorists to push through it blindly if time is running low.
Smokes can also be used defensively. They are useful to block off choke points, which will make enemy players think twice before pushing through it. If they push through, they would be going in blindly into Counter-Terrorists ready to mow them down.
Flashbang
The Flashbang is arguably the most “fun” grenade in the game and can be used in many different situations.
What Is The Flashbang Used For?
The Flashbang grenade is used to temporarily blind opponents, making them very easy to take down if successful. Enemy players who are blinded are referred to as “flashed.” If an opponent is flashed, it is the perfect time to peek out and strike since they are very vulnerable to attacks due to a lack of vision.
Flashbang Usage
Players can use Flashbangs to set up entry kills. Flashbangs should be thrown into contested areas before pushing in, as a successful blind can catch enemies off guard and leave them vulnerable. Normally, a teammate will be at the back throwing Flashbangs for their teammates to swing out right after it pops.
Aside from using it to enter areas, the Flashbang can also be useful during retake situations as Counter-Terrorists. During a retake situation, Terrorists would be holding positions and looking at entry points. This is a perfect opportunity to throw well-timed Flashbangs to allow Counter-Terrorists to re-enter the bombsite.
Frag Grenade
The Frag Grenade is also known as the HE Grenade, and is a great way to deal damage in an area.
What Is The HE Grenade Used For?
The Frag Grenade is probably the first thing you think of when you hear the word “grenade” in Counter-Strike. Upon landing, the Frag Grenade will blow up and deal area-of-effect damage onto any enemies nearby. The amount of damage depends on whether the opponents are armored, and how close the explosion is to their positions.
Frag Grenade Usage
The Frag Grenade is best used when thrown onto tight areas such as A Long Doors on Dust II. This is because the Frag Grenade works well in compact and highly-contested areas, making it easier to deal damage onto multiple enemies.
A great way to strategize usage of Frag Grenades is pulling off a “Nade Stack,” which is the idea that multiple teammates throw Frag Grenades at the exact same time and position, dealing massive amounts of damage to enemy players who could be there. Two grenades can kill an entire group of unarmored opponents!
The Frag Grenade is also a great way to finish off enemy players who are low on HP. It is great carrying one around as an AWPer. For example, an AWPer legs an enemy player. Since they would be on low HP, a Frag Grenade can be thrown to get the kill.
Molotov or Incendiary Grenade
The Molotov or Incendiary Grenade is a perfect utility item to help you create favorable fights against your opponents.
What Is The Molotov/Incendiary Grenade Used For?
The Molotov and Incendiary Grenade serves the same purpose, but the former is only available on the Terrorist side, while the latter is only available on the Counter-Terrorist side. These two grenades create a fire when thrown on the ground.
Molotov/Incendiary Grenade Usage
The Molotov and Incendiary Grenade is extremely useful to flush out enemy players who are hiding behind corners, forcing them to run away from the area. When you throw a Molotov or Incendiary Grenade to a corner, make sure to hold the angle, expecting someone to try running away.
These two grenades are also very useful in the early stages of rounds, especially on the Counter-Terrorist side. You can throw an Incendiary Grenade at tight choke points to prevent early rushes. Some examples include Banana on Inferno and Tunnels on Dust II.
Decoy
The Decoy grenade isn’t the most popular grenade, but its cheap price might encourage you to try it out.
What Is The Decoy Used For?
The Decoy grenade is a cheap grenade that, as the name suggests, acts as a decoy. Once a Decoy grenade lands, it will begin making gunfire noises and show a red dot on the enemy team’s minimaps.
Decoy Usage
Generally speaking, the Decoy is widely considered the most useless grenade in the game, which is why you almost never see it being purchased in professional play, even if it only costs a measly $50.
One way to use a Decoy is to cause a distraction. You and your teammates can throw numerous Decoy grenades close to you, causing enemies to shift their focus to angles that are actually clear. You can use this window to plan a surprise attack on your enemies.
The second usage is to bait your opponents into thinking you’re going to a specific bomb site. However, you are actually going to the opposite bomb site instead. This can buy you a lot of time to get the bomb plant and play in a favorable post-plant situation if the bait worked.
Defuse Kit
The Defuse Kit is the only non-grenade item under the CS:GO utility category.
What Is The Defuse Kit Used For?
The Defuse Kit has a very simple purpose, which is to allow the user to defuse the bomb quicker. The default defuse duration is 10 seconds, but with a Defuse Kit, the duration is halved down to only 5 seconds. This is a significant amount of time that can change the outcome of a round entirely.
Defuse Kit Usage
Unlike all the other utility items in Counter-Strike, the Defuse Kit is the only one that is passively used. This means you do not need to pull out the Defuse Kit or press any additional buttons for it to serve its purpose.
If you are equipped with a Defuse Kit, you will automatically take less time to defuse the bomb. All you need to do is start defusing the bomb using your “E” hotkey.
Additionally, it is important to note that Defuse Kits will drop on the ground if the owner dies. A teammate without a Defuse Kit can pick it up from the ground by simply walking over it. Your character will immediately pick it up from the ground automatically.