Every figure shows its source. Where a source is missing, the number is a placeholder — and it is never written as fact.

By GamGem ResearchLast updated 7 Oct 2026

Valve’s latest change to Ancient, 22 Sept 2026: “Adjusted door geometry and grenade clipping inside Jaguar.” Valve’s note · 10 lineups are older than a change — re-check in game.

Ancient smokes and lineupsAncient

Essential Ten

10 essentials of 12 lineups

Active Duty: 7 maps · Cache replaced Overpass (Valve update, 8 Jul 2026)
0 learned · 0 need practice

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Situations:
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10 essentials to learn first

our ranking from the rows — not a game fact

10 of 10 essentials match

sorted: essential rank
  • Just outside Elbow, under the small window in the wall, slightly right of it.1 stand
    Look up at the wooden beam where the rope binds it to its wall support.2 aim
    3 landMid
    Smoke plugs the Mid side of Donut so CTs there cannot contest Mid.from Elbow → Donut
    TArea controlExecute
    thrown from the ground
    LMB
    left-click
    3 guides agreenewest guide 1 Jun 2026Older than Valve’s 22 Sept 2026 change — re-check in gameDifficulty easy
    Guides
  • Flush with the edge of a corner on the CT side of B, between Back Halls and the site.1 stand
    Top of the tree branch ahead.2 aim
    3 landB
    Smoke caps the top of B Ramp, stalling a T rush or splitting attackers on a retake.from Back Halls → B Ramp
    CTAnti-rushRetake
    thrown from the ground
    LMB
    left-click
    In Valve’s map guideOne guide onlyguides undatedDifficulty easy
    Guides
  • At the stone railing where the Outside path enters A Halls, in the middle of the diamond-carved section.1 stand
    Right-middle edge of the dark carved diamond on the wall ahead.2 aim
    3 landA
    Smoke fills the Donut exit onto A, removing the defender playing from Donut.from A Main → Donut
    TExecute
    jumpthrow
    JUMP+LMB
    jumpthrow + left-click
    In Valve’s map guide2 guides agreenewest guide 1 May 2025Older than Valve’s 22 Sept 2026 change — re-check in gameDifficulty medium
    Guides
  • Pushed into the corner in Ruins, on the way from Water to B Ramp.1 stand
    Left edge of the carved stone block on the building ahead.2 aim
    3 landB
    Smoke blocks the left side of B by the Cave/side-entrance exit, isolating that defender.from B Ramp → Cave
    TExecute
    jumpthrow
    JUMP+LMB
    jumpthrow + left-click
    In Valve’s map guide2 guides agreenewest guide 21 May 2024Older than Valve’s 22 Sept 2026 change — re-check in gameDifficulty medium
    Guides
Showing 1–4 of 10

Why these ten

The 10 lineups on Ancient most guides agree on, covering 6 jobs a round needs — ranked by our rule, not the game’s.

52+ guides agree
5in Valve’s map guide
4one-click throws
  • Execute ×7
  • Anti-rush ×2
  • Area control ×2
  • Delay ×1
  • Entry ×1
  • Retake ×1

Sources

  • ▸ csnades.gg8 of 10
  • ▸ metabot.gg5 of 10
  • ▸ refrag.gg2 of 10
  • ▸ cs2pulse.com1 of 10
  • ▸ tradeit.gg1 of 10

Changed since your last visitfirst visit here

  • Adjusted door geometry and grenade clipping inside Jaguar.Valve · 22 Sept 2026this map
  • Improved consistency of grenade jump throws and the accuracy of the jump throw preview camera.Valve · 18 May 2026all maps
  • Adjusted ground smoothing at locations where sloped ground surfaces join with step-height transitions.Valve · 30 Apr 2026all maps
  • Adjusted official map guides to match new surface smoothing.Valve · 24 Apr 2026all maps
  • Adjusted ground smoothing at locations where the player can stand on very thin ledges.Valve · 22 Apr 2026all maps

Patch → you: 0 of your learned lineups here came before a Valve change to their map — re-check those first.
Name watch: 5 rows carry a note where guides call a spot differently — both names kept.

Practice

Start with Donut Smoke from Elbow — reveal mode hides the aim until you try.

Share

Share Donut Smoke from Elbow with your team.

Throw-method legend

LMB
Full throw — the longest, highest arc.
RMB
Underhand lob — short and low.
L+R
Medium throw — 50% strength, guaranteed since Valve’s 17 Feb 2024 update.
JUMP
Jumpthrow — jump and release together. One-key binds stopped 19 Aug 2024; Valve made it more consistent 18 May 2026.
RUN · W
Moving throw — the step adds distance; start from the same spot each time.
SHIFT · CTRL
Walk or crouch — a slower, lower release.

Lineups in our words from the guides each row cites · no console positions, no screenshots, no author names · the schematic is ours, not Valve’s radar.