de_dust2 is probably the most played map in Counterstrike : Source. It was one of the first to be converted, and is very basic for teams to start off on.

In this article I will outline basic CT setups for teams to use. It doesn't cover everything but it covers the basics, and you can work on this to form your own ones. Firstly, you must decide what setup you want as your default. You must prioritise whether you want to share your players evenly between the sites, or whether you feel you can lock down B with 1 player.

Since people like to use different names for different places, here is a screenshot to identify the different names I will be using on de_dust2.

http://i7.photobucket .com/albums/y295/threelicks/screens/de_dust2/de_dust2midrock.jpg

Most teams like to use a default setup of 2-1-2 split, with 2 at A, 1 at mid/short, and 2 at B. My team play this on default buy rounds. The 2 people create a crossfire at long, the mid player usually buys awp and watches short, or if he cannot afford he buys rifle and holds short, and the 2 B players create a crossfire in B.

Firstly, A setups.

A is the more versatile site, allowing a multitude of different setups, allowing you to catch your team off guard. We tend to send 2 down to long at the start of the round, and drop one to platform if there is no signs of action at long after about 30 seconds.

http://i7.photobuck et.com/albums/y295/threelicks/screens/de_dust2/de_dust2corner.jpg
http://i7.photobucket .com/albums/y295/threelicks/screens/de_dust2/de_dust2008

That is a strong long setup, as the offensive players can get to neither player without the other interfering. Neither player should be peaking, as you should be aiming to stop them getting to the site primarily, rather than to kill individual players.

http://i7.photobuck et.com/albums/y295/threelicks/screens/de_dust2/de_dust2corner.jpg
http://i7.photobucket .com/albums/y295/threelicks/screens/de_dust2/de_dust20029.jpg

That setup is also good, and similar, and can be used if they are expecting you to be pit. It is also easier to avoid nades than with one in pit.

http://i7.photobucket .com/albums/y295/threelicks/screens/de_dust2/de_dust20031.jpg
http://i7.photobucket .com/albums/y295/threelicks/screens/de_dust2/de_dust20028.jpg

Playing one at cars and one in pit can be an effective setup if the player at cars has a strong burst fire. When i played against uQ they used this setup VERY effectively, and it was very hard to get picks at long.

The 3rd player can play in 2 main positions. Playing at mid with awp can be effective as it allows early calls for short and quick rotates to B.

http://i7.photobucket .com/albums/y295/threelicks/screens/de_dust2/de_dust2midrock.jpg

If they smoke up mid, you can normally see over it by standing on this rock :

http://i7.photobuc ket.com/albums/y295/threelicks/screens/de_dust2/de_dust2midrock.jpg

However, it can be stopped quite easily with some offensive smokes and flashes, so a lot of teams prefer to play someone at short with a rifle instead. It slows rotates down a bit but it can help secure A better. Here are a few good short positions.

http://i7.photobucket .com/albums/y295/threelicks/screens/de_dust2/de_dust20033.jpg
http://i7.photobucket .com/albums/y295/threelicks/screens/de_dust2/de_dust20034.jpg
http://i7.photobuck et.com/albums/y295/threelicks/screens/de_dust2/de_dust2short2.jpg
http://i7.photobuck et.com/albums/y295/threelicks/screens/de_dust2/de_dust2short1.jpg

One of the main problems when choosing a short position, is that there will inevitably be a lot of flashes coming your way if they push there, so you need to be near a corner to look away quickly. Also, there is a box in lower B where they can spot a lot of short, so you must be weary of that.

This leaves us with the 2 B players. I have never played B so I can't really say many positions in here, although here are some I've used to hold down the site on T side.

http://i7.photobucket .com/albums/y295/threelicks/screens/de_dust2/de_dust20022.jpg

That awp pick is one of the best positions for B. The awper spots tunnels and can drop off platform quickly for cover. You can also normally get a pick before the nades start coming in. I've seen many aces from this position. You must be weary of offensive awpers however.

http://i7.photobucket .com/albums/y295/threelicks/screens/de_dust2/de_dust20020.jpg

This position can be quite nice for rifling, as you can easily get cover from flashes in the corner of the car and you are a good distance to get multiple kills. If you get a good spawn it can be good to flash in and rush to here :

http://i7.photobucket .com/albums/y295/threelicks/screens/de_dust2/de_dust20024.jpg

Teams rarely check there on a rush as they are normally more concerned with back of site and car, so if you have a good aim and a rifle you can normally pick up a few frags here.

http://i7.photobucket .com/albums/y295/threelicks/screens/de_dust2/de_dust20025.jpg

If you are soloing B it can be good to awp from here, and once you have made your pick, drop out and counter flash. It is very safe and gives your team enough time to rotate before you get killed.

That's pretty much it for CT positions. There are a few stacks and other things you can do, but I couldn't go into them as I had no one online to take screenshots with. A quote I found interesting came from 3D|Moto, who said a good CT is not one who can frag the most, but one who can secure a site long enough for his team to rotate. Bear that in mind at all times. It is a team game and your aim should be to win the rounds, so play in the strongest positions for the site not for frags.

Thanks, hope you liked it, and apologies if it was too simplistic.
Felix "xiLeF" Morgan
#xilef