CS2 Cache map guide 2026 — callouts, smokes, and the post-August 4 meta

Cache returned to CS2 on April 29, 2026 after seven years out of the active map pool. It entered the Active Duty group on July 9 with Premier Season 5 (replacing Overpass). The August 4 patch polished gaps and removed the Outside A boost spot.

This is the complete callout and utility guide for the new Cache, with smoke lineups and post-patch tactical notes.

Cache map layout

Cache has two bomb sites (A and B) connected by three lanes:

A site — accessed via A main (T side) or

A ramp (CT side)

B site — accessed via B main (T side) or

B tunnels (CT side)

Mid — the central lane that connects A main

to B main via mid doors and mid window

The two sites are relatively balanced for CTs. Cache is generally considered a CT-sided map — the standard deviation of CT win rate is ~52% in recent pro matches.

Key callouts

A site

A site — the main bomb plant area, with the

default plant behind the blue container

A main — T-side approach from T-spawn
A ramp — CT-side approach from CT-spawn
Quad — the small room overlooking A site from

the CT side

Headshot box — the box on A site that gives

defenders a clean angle on default plant

Outside A — the area outside A site, accessed

via forklift or main from T-spawn

Squeaky door — the door on A site that

squeaks when opened; a key info point for CTs

Boost spot (removed Aug 4) — the spot on

Outside A where Ts could boost a teammate to peek CTs rotating from A site

A short — the small connector from mid to A
CT spawn / Heaven — the elevated position CTs

can hold from CT spawn

B site

B site — the smaller bomb site with a

default plant near the back wall

B main — T-side approach from T-spawn
B tunnels — CT-side approach, longer route
Checkers — the container wall on B site with

the black-and-white pattern (best for Ts)

Default plant — the spot behind the checkers

container

Van — the car on B site
Truck — the truck on B site
B hall — the corridor leading to B site from

CT-spawn

Pillar — the central pillar on B site
Dark — the dark corner of B site near CT

spawn

Mid

Mid — the central lane
Mid doors — the doors at the end of mid (T

side)

Mid window — the elevated position overlooking

mid

Mid hut — the small hut in mid
A short — the connector from mid to A site
B short — the connector from mid to B site

Standard smoke lineups (T side)

Smoke A site from A main

Position: stand in A main doorway, aim at the

sky above the A site building

Crosshair placement: ~30 degrees up from the

horizon

Throw: jump throw
Result: smoke lands on Heaven, blocking the

CT rotation angle

Smoke CT spawn from A main

Position: same as above
Crosshair placement: ~45 degrees up
Throw: jump throw
Result: smoke lands on CT spawn cross, blocking

the long CT rotation

Smoke B site from B tunnels

Position: stand at the B tunnels entrance
Crosshair placement: aim at the back wall
Throw: running throw
Result: smoke lands on default B plant

Smoke mid window from T-spawn mid

Position: stand at T-spawn mid box
Crosshair placement: aim at the top of the mid

window frame

Throw: standard throw
Result: smoke lands on mid window, blocking

the AWP angle

Standard molotov lineups (T side)

Molotov A site default plant

Position: A main doorway
Crosshair placement: aim at the top of the

A site blue container

Throw: jump throw
Result: molotov forces defenders off the

default plant spot

Molotov B site default plant

Position: B tunnels
Crosshair placement: aim at the back wall corner
Throw: running throw
Result: molotov forces defenders off the

default plant spot

Post-August 4 meta

The August 4 patch removed the Outside A boost. Tactical implications:

Ts lose an off-angle on CTs rotating from A

site. The boost was the most-discussed utility position in pro play.

AWP holds are stronger on Outside A. Without

the boost, the standard AWPer is uncontested.

CT-side is slightly stronger on A site

overall. Pro teams will adjust their executes to use more utility on A rather than relying on the boost.

Default executes still work — boost or no

boost, the standard A execute (smoke Heaven + CT, molly default, plant) is unchanged.

T-side strategies

Default A execute (most common)

2-3 players take A main control
2 players lurk mid for info
1 player lurks B main for rotation pressure
Execute: smoke Heaven + CT, molly default

plant, plant default, post-plant positions

Default B execute (less common)

2-3 players take B tunnels
2 players apply mid pressure
1 player lurks A main
Execute: smoke default, molly dark, plant for

truck / van post-plant

Mid-to-B split (newer strategy)

2 players take mid control
3 players split through B tunnels
Execute: take mid window, then split B site

from two angles simultaneously

CT-side strategies

Standard 2-1-2

2 A
1 mid
2 B
Aggressive AWP on Outside A (post-August 4, this

is stronger because the boost is gone)

Aggressive mid

1 A
2 mid
2 B
Mid players push mid for info, then rotate based

on Ts' chosen execute

Passive B

2 A
1 mid
2 B (passive)
Trade mid map control for B site dominance

FAQ

Is Cache CT or T sided?

CT-sided, with ~52% CT win rate in recent pro matches. The A site and B site are both defensible. Pro teams typically pick CT on Cache when given the choice.

What changed in the August 4 patch?

The Outside A boost spot was removed. Various gaps, collision spots, and flickering assets were fixed. The Shelter map was updated. Grenade geometry was fixed (globally). A major scripting toolkit was added.

Should I learn Cache in 2026?

Yes — Cache is in the Active Duty group for Premier Season 5. It's a permanent fixture until at least mid-September, likely longer.

How do I practice Cache?

Workshop: install CSGOHUB Utility or

YPrac Cache for offline practice

Overwatch: use the !ws command on

community servers to load Cache with infinite utility

Premier: play Premier Season 5 matches
Deathmatch: Cache is a common DM map

What's the best agent (utility) for Cache?

Cache rewards smoke-heavy agents like Brimstone (in Valorant, which shares the map). In CS2, the smoke utility is map-driven rather than agent-driven, so focus on lineups over agent selection.

Where can I find more Cache callouts?

The Liquipedia Cache page has a labeled

overhead map

YouTube creators like NadeKing and

slothS publish updated callout videos for every patch