Since CS2’s release in March, the technique of using HE grenades to momentarily clear smoke and secure unexpected kills has become a prominent strategy, and s1mple appears to have already mastered this innovative mechanic.
The esteemed CS:GO player, recognized as the best of the decade, frequently deploys this tactic in his FACEIT Pro League (FPL) matches, leaving opponents unable to thwart his efforts. S1mple, renowned for his swift reflexes and high mouse sensitivity, capitalizes on this strategy to acquire easy kills when he lobs grenades at a smoke in CS2, as demonstrated in the compilation video below.
The concept behind this tactic is straightforward: you need to detonate an HE grenade near a smoke to temporarily disperse it.
This approach is versatile and can be employed in various scenarios. S1mple offers an excellent illustration of how to use it effectively, whether on Mirage when the Terrorists have smoked Window while gaining control of Mid or on Nuke when the Terrorists deploy smokes Outside as they move toward Secret or Mini.
Although we have witnessed professional players execute similar plays during events like IEM Sydney, and each team may have different callouts for such grenade tactics, none have achieved the same level of success as s1mple has in FPL. The league features some of the world’s top players participating in a less regulated environment than official matches.
This tactic can also be used to prompt enemy team rotations or gather valuable information for your squad. However, it’s undoubtedly most satisfying when it results in securing a free kill, as s1mple consistently accomplishes.
As time progresses, it remains to be seen if this smoke grenade mechanic proves to be overpowered for professionals, as it currently appears to be, or if players will devise strategies to counter it.