Cloud9's T-Side Mirage Strategy at ELEAGUE Major Boston 2018

# Cloud9's T-Side Mirage Strategy at ELEAGUE Major Boston 2018 ## Match Context **Event Overview:** ELEAGUE Major Boston 2018 (Trophy lift shown at 00:00). Cloud9 (T-Side) vs. Virtus.Pro, Vega Squadron, G2 Esports, SK Gaming, and FaZe Clan. **Map:** Mirage (00:53). **Key Callouts Used:** Top Mid, Catwalk (Cat), Window, Connector, Palace, A-Ramp, Jungle, Underpass, CT Spawn, A Bomb Site, Balcony. **Sequences & Match States:** * **vs. Virtus.Pro (00:53):** Round 21 (Late 2nd Half). Cloud9 leads 13 - 7 (1:52 left). C9 on full gun buy (AK-47s/full utility) vs. VP on a hard eco (<$1650 bank). C9 runs a complex default to safely close the map without risking aim duels. * **vs. Vega Squadron (04:11):** Round 19 (Mid 2nd Half). Cloud9 leads 14 - 4 (1:50 left). Decider match to exit the Challenger stage. C9 on full buy vs. Vega on a forced eco (upgraded pistols). C9 reacts slowly to Vega's passive setup to secure match point. * **vs. G2 Esports (07:02):** Round 6 (Early 1st Half). G2 leads 2 - 3 (1:50 left). Quarterfinals. Both teams on full buy (G2 has an AWP on kennyS). C9 plays an aggressive, fast connector split to dictate pace and instill fear. * **vs. SK Gaming (12:15):** Round 11 (Mid 1st Half). SK trails 1 - 9 (1:50 left). Semi-finals. C9 on a rich full buy (AWP on Skadoodle) vs. SK on a broken full eco (<$300 bank). C9 snowballs their T-side lead by adapting to SK's deep retake setup. * **vs. FaZe Clan (14:48):** Round 8 (Mid 1st Half). FaZe trails 1 - 6 (1:55 left). Major Finals. Full gun buys for both. C9 deploys late-tournament micro-adjustments (Window Smoke instead of Molotov) to counter FaZe's standard rotations. ## Players & Roles **Cloud9 (T-Side)** * **tarik (IGL / Entry Fragger):** Seen at 00:40, 01:37, 03:47, 06:21, 07:54, 12:56, 17:01. Wields a StatTrak AK-47 | Bloodsport (17:36) and Bayonet | Doppler (17:05). Drives mid-control executes, throws support flashes from top mid (01:37), and scales connector. High situational awareness shown by lurking post-plant (06:26). Throws the evolving "Jungle" smoke later in the tournament (17:07). * **autimatic / Tim (Lurker / Support / Mid-Control):** Seen at 01:37, 02:20, 03:58, 05:22, 11:38, 15:36. Wields a StatTrak AK-47 | Point Disarray (05:22). Groups with tarik for mid control. Molotovs Window (01:41) and isolates angles using the Catwalk smoke. Frequently scales elevated geometry (jumping into Window at 05:44, Catwalk railing at 07:50) to clear spaces safely. * **Stewie2K / Stew (Entry Fragger / Aggressive Playmaker):** Seen at 04:23, 05:34, 06:14, 08:09, 08:53, 10:14, 11:11, 15:56. Wields an AK-47. Traditionally plays Palace for A-site strikes (04:23) but shifts to full-sprint connector entries in later variations (11:11, 15:56). Pushes deep into CT Spawn to disrupt retakes (08:53). * **Skadoodle / Ska (AWPer / Support):** Seen at 03:51, 04:26, 05:39, 06:47, 09:34, 13:11, 15:43. Wields an AK-47 | Redline (06:47), StatTrak AWP | BOOM (13:28), and Butterfly Knife (13:24). Pairs with RUSH at A-Ramp (04:26) to hold flanks under balcony (05:39). Supports Stewie2K with deep spawn flashes (09:34) and transitions to aggressive AWP posts in Connector post-plant (13:28). * **RUSH (Support / Entry):** Seen at 03:00, 03:44, 06:16, 08:12, 15:43, 16:53, 18:32. Wields an AK-47. Groups with Skadoodle at A-Ramp for the site pinch. Mechanically responsible for the complex T-Spawn "Top Connector" smoke requiring a sliding crouch jump-throw (18:32) to fake a default setup. **Opponent Entities (CT-Side Defenders)** * **Virtus.Pro:** TaZ killed under balcony by tarik (03:47). * **Vega Squadron:** jR aggressively posts with an AWP at close A-Ramp (05:36). * **G2 Esports:** kennyS holds top connector with an AWP (07:54). shox pushes up Catwalk early (07:40). apEX defends CT spawn against Stewie2K (09:23). * **SK Gaming:** felps killed in CT spawn by autimatic (13:21) during a deep retake setup. * **FaZe Clan:** rain killed playing close A-Ramp (15:44). ## Utility & Resources **Grenades & Trajectories:** * **Top Mid Smoke (01:34, 07:09, 14:57):** Blocks vision from Window/Connector. Lineup: tarik aims at the tip of a building antenna from T-spawn (18:21). * **Top Connector Smoke (03:00, 05:41):** Used to fake a "mid default." Lineup: RUSH positions at the trash can near T-Spawn, aims at the wall, and executes a sliding crouch jump-throw, releasing when his crosshair hits a specific spot on the rug (18:32). * **Catwalk Smoke (04:39, 07:11):** Thrown over the mid wall to block vision down Catwalk. * **Window Molotov (01:41, 04:50, 07:15):** Thrown by autimatic from Top Mid to flush Window AWPers. * **Mid Pop Flashes (01:37, 04:35, 07:13):** Thrown by tarik behind entry teammates to blind Mid/Window. * **Jungle Smoke (14:09, 15:38):** Strategic evolution signaling a faster split. Lineup: tarik wedges in a corner near T-Spawn, aims at overlapping wires, and jump-throws (17:07). * **Connector Pop-Flash (17:25):** Thrown from outside Mid directly into Connector to blind defenders prior to a sprint entry. * **Deep Spawn Flashes (09:34):** Deployed by Skadoodle over the A-Site walls into CT Spawn to enable Stewie2K's aggression. * **Window Smoke (14:57):** Replaces the Window Molotov as a micro-adjustment against FaZe Clan in the Finals. **Resource & Economy Impact:** * **Vs Eco/Save Rounds (VP/Vega):** C9 uses their full buys and heavy utility sets to systematically clear angles, completely avoiding raw, unpredictable close-range aim duels. * **Vs Full Buys (G2):** Utility explicitly neutralizes kennyS's AWP in Window, forcing fast aim duels to dictate an aggressive pace. * **Securing Space & Deception:** The utility sequence (Top Mid Smoke, Catwalk Smoke, Window Molotov) systematically forces defenders out of optimal holding angles. The Top Connector smoke acts as psychological deception, preventing early A-Site rotations. ## Strategy & Tactics **Round Strategies:** * **A-Site/Connector Split:** The overarching macro strategy. Securing early Middle control enables a multi-pronged split onto the A-Site from Connector, Palace, and A-Ramp (01:13). * **Deceptive "Mid Default" Fake:** The Top Connector smoke conditions CTs to hold rotations, isolating the A-site defenders against the sudden pinch. **Formations & Coordination:** * **Base Setup (2-1-2):** tarik and autimatic execute Middle; Stewie2K holds Palace; RUSH and Skadoodle scale A-Ramp passively (04:20). * **Synchronized Scaling:** Palace players (autimatic/Stewie2K) wait patiently, exploding onto the site only when the Connector player makes hard contact or gets a kill (11:38, 15:54). Mid players hold their peeks until pop-flashes detonate behind them (01:37). * **Immediate Trade Sequences:** When aggressive pushes occur (like Stewie2K deep in CT Spawn), RUSH is perfectly positioned to instantly secure the refrag (09:31). **Adaptations:** * **Dynamic Pacing:** Can be run as a fast rush (vs. G2) or a slow reactive default (vs. Vega). * **Tournament Meta Evolutions:** C9 actively alters the strategy's utility (swapping Top Connector smoke for Jungle smoke; Window molotov for Window smoke) to avoid counter-stratting in late tournament stages. ## Decisions & Critical Moments * **Cloud9 vs. Virtus.Pro - Elevating over Smokes (01:47):** Anticipating a CT bottom connector smoke, autimatic paths up Catwalk. This elevation allows him to see over the smoke into Window/Jungle without taking a blind duel. * **Cloud9 vs. Virtus.Pro - The Trigger Kill (03:41):** tarik uses the "fake default" Top Connector smoke to lurk unseen, killing TaZ under Balcony. This specific kill is the exact trigger for Stewie2K and RUSH to pinch the A-site. * **Cloud9 vs. Vega Squadron - Exploiting Passivity (05:42):** Recognizing Vega's defensive passivity, autimatic jumps from Catwalk directly into Window. His opening kill from this advanced spot instantly triggers the site take. * **Cloud9 vs. Vega Squadron - Post-Plant Lurk (06:21):** tarik decides not to plant the bomb, instead lurking inside Connector for the entire post-plant to cut off Mid/B-Site rotations and feed intel. * **Cloud9 vs. G2 Esports - Pace Shifting (07:50):** tarik gets a fast entry on kennyS in Connector. Recognizing the primary AWP is down, C9 instantly shifts from a slow default to an explosive hit, securing the 5v4. * **Cloud9 vs. G2 Esports - Aggressive Spawn Push (08:50):** Stewie2K pushes deep into CT Spawn post-plant. He dies to apEX, but RUSH trades the kill (09:25), permanently breaking G2's retake attempt. * **Cloud9 vs. SK Gaming - The Retake Read (13:11 & 13:20):** Skadoodle spots SK rotating through Underpass. Instead of holding standard defensive angles, Skadoodle and autimatic push aggressively into Connector and CT Spawn, trapping the saving SK players and forcing them out of the round. * **Cloud9 vs. FaZe Clan - The Cleared Site Sprint (15:54):** After rain is killed at A-Ramp, Stewie2K recognizes the site is clear. He ignores the bomb site entirely and full-sprints up Connector through the Jungle smoke to cut off the primary FaZe retake path. ## Practical Takeaways **Lessons & Situational Rules:** * **Synchronize Your Spacing (03:47, 11:38):** Secondary entry points (Palace/A-Ramp) must wait for the primary entry (Connector) to make contact before swinging. * **Use Elevation (01:47, 04:57):** Path over standard CT defensive smokes using geometry (like the Catwalk railing) to gain asymmetric vision angles. * **Weaponize the "Fake Default" (03:00):** Use utility to mimic a slow map take to freeze CT rotations, isolating bomb site anchors. * **Evolve Utility (14:09, 14:57):** Keep your strat pool unpredictable by swapping specific grenades (e.g., Molotov for Smoke) to defeat anti-strats in a series. * **The "Cleared Site" Sprint Rule (15:54):** If site entry kills are secured, Mid/Connector players should bypass the site and immediately take Jungle/Spawn space to block retake lines. * **The Eco-Round Rule (00:53):** Default to utility-heavy, slow map control against weak buys to deny them gimmicky close-angle crossfires. **Anti-Patterns (Mistakes to Avoid):** * **Passive Post-Plants with a Man Advantage (08:50, 13:20):** Sitting defensively allows CTs to coordinate. Instead, push aggressively (deep Spawn/Jungle) to break their formation. * **Over-Aggression Against Ecos (04:11):** Rushing into an eco stack results in unpredictable pistol duels. Slow the pace and wait for their impatience. * **Failing to Trade Lurkers (09:25):** Letting aggressive teammates push alone. Always glue a second player to the entry to instantly secure the refrag. **Drill Ideas:** * **Synchronized Contact Drill:** In a practice server, Player B (Palace) cannot peek until they hear Player A (Connector) shoot, practicing millisecond-perfect trade timings. * **Retake Disruption:** Play T-side on retake servers. Do not hold the site; practice pushing into CT Spawn/Jungle to hunt retaking CTs before they throw execute utility. * **C9 Mirage Utility Routine:** Master the exact grenades from this video in an empty server: T-Spawn to Top Mid Smoke (18:25), T-Spawn to Jungle Smoke (17:07), T-Spawn to Top Connector Smoke (18:32), and Mid to Connector Pop-Flash (17:25). ## Conclusion This breakdown of Cloud9's ELEAGUE Major Boston T-side Mirage is an exceptional masterclass in dynamic pacing and strategic evolution. It demonstrates that world-class Counter-Strike is not about running rigid, static plays, but rather using a foundation of synchronized utility to create deception. By mastering these micro-adjustments, coordinated crossfires, and aggressive post-plant space-taking, teams can dictate the tempo of the match and dismantle both full buys and eco setups with equal efficiency.