de_dust2: the map that defines CS 1.6

Ask anyone who was around for early Counter-Strike where their first round happened — the answer is almost always dust. Released in 2001 as a rework of the original Dust, the map has not surrendered first place since. A symmetric layout, two bomb sites, mid-range duels with no surprises: that honesty is why de_dust2 gets forgiven everything, a quarter century in every rotation included.

The layout: three roads to the sites

• Long (A-long) — the corridor from T spawn through the doors to the A site. Distances are big: the winner is whoever lands the first accurate bullet, or whoever brought the AWP.
• Mid — the center lane with the famous gap under the double doors. A CT sniper covers it straight from spawn, so drop the habit of crossing mid upright early.
• Tunnels (B-tunnels) — the upper and lower routes to B. Everything here is decided up close: rifles, and a shotgun in a narrow corridor.

Attacking: T side

A five-man B rush through the upper tunnel is cheap, fast and still punishes a sloppy defense. Want something smarter — split A: two pressure long while three come through mid and catwalk, and the site gets squeezed from both ends. The one thing dust never forgives is attacking one at a time: the map eats lone players quietly.

Defending: CT side

The base setup is 2-2-1: two on B, two on A, one holding mid. A mid sniper effectively owns half the map. On long, stay out of the open doorway: one step behind the crate — and the first bullet is yours. Hear all five committing to B? Don't play hero as a pair; fall back and retake with the site in your crosshair.

Three things for new players

1. Nobody crosses mid with a sniper out — that trade is lost before you press W.
2. Learn the timings: both teams reach long doors and the tunnel exits at almost the same moment.
3. Spend your grenades: a flash into long doors or a smoke at the tunnel exit costs less than your life.

Play de_dust2 right now

Dust never leaves the PLAY-CS.COM server rotation: classic, deathmatch on dust2, 2x2 editions. There is nothing to download — the game opens in the browser: one click on a server, a few seconds, and you are on the map. And to walk out on the site in your own style, read about player skins and models.