CS Knowledge Hub

# CS Map Analysis: The New Cache Update & Utility Tutorial ## Match Context This video does not feature a live competitive match; rather, it is an educational map walkthrough and grenade tutorial recorded on an offline practice server. There are no active rounds, scores, economic constraints, or competitive stakes. The sole focus is exploring the reworked map **Cache (New Update)**. The analysis covers critical geometry changes and updated utility lineups across Bombsite B (B Main, Checkers, CT hall), Mid (Mid Window, Z-connector, Vents, Mid roof), and Bombsite A (A Main, Squeaky, Quad, Default, Truck). ## Players & Roles * **Player Profile:** Elmapuddy (In-game alias: Elma [RADAR]). * **Role:** Analyst / Instructor. Elmapuddy acts as a guide navigating both T and CT-side perspectives to demonstrate executes, retakes, and tactical map changes. * **Model & Settings:** Utilizes a Counter-Terrorist (CT) character model with infinite health, money, and utility enabled via server commands. Elmapuddy plays with a static, bright green crosshair featuring a small center gap. * **Equipment & Visual Identifiers:** Cycles through consistent weapon skins for demonstration purposes: * 00:34 - Flip Knife | Doppler * 01:02 - AWP | Mortis (demonstrating new angle holds) * 01:39 - P2000 | Ocean Foam * 02:36 - M4A4 | Neo-Noir (demonstrating wallbang damage) * **Movement:** Movement is predominantly slow and deliberate, backing into corners to establish precise, repeatable utility lineups using architectural rivets, lines, and stains. A notable movement moment occurs at 04:16 when Elmapuddy attempts and fails a "skill jump" onto the new Mid roof, commenting that his movement is "not that good at the moment." ## Utility & Resources Because the economy is infinite, resource management shifts to the *impact* of utility and ammunition as tactical tools. **Weapon Resource Impact:** * **01:20 - AWP:** The changed geometry at B Main prevents an AWPer from safely holding a deep, static angle without excessive exposure. * **02:44 - 03:25 - M4A4 (Wallbangs):** Ammunition becomes a lethal retake resource at the B-site Checkers garage door. Firing at the edges yields 6-20 damage, but spamming the center (03:06) now deals a massive 27 damage per shot, completely altering post-plant holds. **Grenade Trajectories & Lineups:** * **Mid Utility:** * 03:51 - *Smoke:* Thrown outside Mid garage to Mid Window, blocking the new CT vertical sightline. * 04:36 - *Molotov:* Thrown from the new Mid roof skill-jump position to clear Z-connector/White Box. * 09:00 - *Molotov:* Running throw from the corner edge of Mid garage to flush defenders out of the new Mid Window. * 09:40 - *Molotov:* Running throw from Mid to Vents, utilizing the middle of a wooden pallet and the right side of the roof antenna. * 09:59 - *Molotov:* Walking jump throw lined up with faint wall markings to clear Sandbags. * 10:24 - *Molotov:* Alternative close-range bank off the angled corner wall to clear Sandbags. * 10:40 - *Smoke:* Thrown from T Spawn to Z-connector aiming at the cross logo on the distant building. * 10:51 - *Smokes (x2):* Cross smokes from T Spawn to Mid, using the skylight framework. * 11:13 - *Smoke:* Deep Mid smoke from T spawn banking off invisible skybox geometry from the top right of the concrete block. (Alternative running throw at 11:31). * **A-Site Utility:** * 05:14 - *Smoke:* Standard execute smoke from A Main to the gap between site and forklift. * 05:32 - *Smoke:* Deeper execute smoke thrown from atop the new A Main box, landing further back to restrict CT vision. * 06:14 - *Smoke:* Banked off the left wall to cover the A Main entrance. * 06:23 - *Smoke (Retake):* From CT Spawn corner (aiming between second railing gaps) to block the A Main upper roof sightline. * 06:38 - *Smoke (Retake):* From CT Spawn ledge (aiming above right railing) banking off the armored vehicle to isolate Quad/back site. * 07:18 - *Smoke (Retake):* From CT Spawn wooden pallet (aiming at the second section of the light pole) to cover the upper catwalk railing. * 07:45 - *Smoke:* From A site truck aiming at the sickle logo to block A Main. * 07:58 - *Molotov:* Jump throw from A site truck using a white floor line and wall arrow to clear Quad. * 08:29 - *HE/Molotov (Retake):* Running throw from behind A site missile boxes (aiming at concrete beam) landing perfectly on the truck to displace post-plant attackers. * **B-Site Utility:** * 11:45 - *Smoke:* Progression smoke from T Spawn, running throw lined up with the blocked doorway and roof framework to land deep in B Main. * 12:15 - *Smoke:* Cross smoke from Sun Room to block CT spawn. Aiming the *left edge* of the crosshair on the wall bolt banks it off the pillar, preventing vision gaps. * 12:59 - *Molotov:* From Sun Room to Checkers/Headshot, lined up via the second white railing bolt. * 13:20 - *Molotov:* From Sun Room corner (aiming at structure bottom) to clear the back corner of B site. * 13:45 - *Smoke (Retake):* Crouched at B site CT entrance, aiming at the ceiling gap protrusion to isolate Checkers. * 14:06 - *Smoke (Retake):* Crouched at CT entrance, aiming along the metal bar to block B Main. * 14:12 - *Molotov (Retake):* From CT entrance, banking off the central box (aiming at concrete shell wall detail) to simultaneously clear both default plant positions. ## Strategy & Tactics * **A-Site Executes (05:08 - 05:55):** The new elevated box in A-Main fundamentally shifts execute geometry. Ts can deploy deeper smokes that cut off CT vision from Default and Quad more effectively than shallow smokes. Micro-positioning is also altered by the curved geometry of the reshaped armored truck on the site. * **T-Side Mid Control & The Utility Tax (04:30 - 05:00):** The introduction of the Mid Window and roof jump completely changes default Mid takes. CTs can establish vertical double-peeks (03:40). To counter this, Ts face a "utility tax," forced to expend synchronized flashbangs from B-link and dedicated Molotovs (09:00) to clear the vertical space before taking Mid or Z-connector. * **B-Site Progression (11:42 - 12:05):** Throwing a deep progression smoke from T-spawn into B-Main allows Ts to aggressively seize map control without risking early entry fraggers to CT peeks. * **B-Site Retake Coordination (14:12 - 14:40):** Retaking B-site now heavily favors coordinated utility. One CT can deploy the banked default-clearing Molotov and Checkers smoke from complete safety in the CT hall, creating isolated trade sequences for the second CT entering the site. ## Decisions & Critical Moments * **01:14 - Relocating the B-Main AWP Hold:** The change in B-Main box geometry forces CT snipers to abandon the traditional safe, deep angle. The decision must be to hold closer or find off-angles, as the old angle is heavily obstructed. * **02:00 - Removal of B-Site Boost Spot (Critical Moment):** The removal of the boost spot on the main B-site box acts as a major balancing turning point, eliminating a notoriously overpowered post-plant position and making B-site much more retake-viable for CTs. * **02:35 - The Garage Door Wallbang (Turning Point):** Realizing the center of the Checkers garage door takes heavy penetration damage (27 per shot) destroys Checkers as a safe T-side hiding spot. CTs must choose to aggressively spam this door during retakes, forcing Ts to adapt by holding closer to the bomb or deeper in B-Main. * **04:16 - Exploiting the Mid Roof Skill Jump:** Players must decide whether to invest time attempting the jump/boost onto the new Mid roof. Success grants a powerful off-angle to flank or halt a Mid push. * **Mistake - Leaving Gaps in Execute Smokes (12:15):** Aiming directly at the wall bolt for the B-site CT cross smoke leaves a right-side vision gap. The alternative/correction is using the *left edge* of the crosshair to bank the smoke properly. * **Mistake - "Safe" Bomb Plants (14:35):** Planting directly behind the large B-site box facing CT spawn feels safe during the plant but severely restricts post-plant defense from Checkers or B-Main. Ts should plant in standard default open spots to force CTs to clear wider angles. ## Practical Takeaways * **Lessons:** * Exploit the new high-damage wallbang through the center of the Checkers garage door to shred post-plant defenders. * Throw A-site execute smokes from the new elevated A-Main box to land them deeper and blind Quad/Default players effectively. * Never dry-peek default on B-site retakes; use the banked CT-hall Molotov (14:12) to clear both plant spots from complete safety. * **Anti-Patterns:** * Do not hold the deep B-Main AWP angle; it is an obsolete death trap. * Do not hide behind the garage door in Checkers during post-plant without expecting lethal wallbang spam. * Do not plant the B bomb hidden directly behind the site box; it hurts your post-plant crossfires. * **Situational Rules:** * As a T taking Mid, *always* Molotov the Mid Window before scaling towards Z-connector. * As a CT retaking B-site, *always* fire a burst into the center of the garage door on approach. * **Drill Ideas:** * **Offline Utility Dry Run:** Master the running Mid Window Molotov (09:00), the gapless B-site CT cross smoke (12:35), and the B-site Default retake Molotov (14:12). * **Wallbang Spray Transfer:** Turn on `sv_showimpacts 1` and practice M4A4 spray control into the highest-damage center zone of the Checkers garage door (03:06). * **Movement Mechanics:** Practice the Mid box to roof skill jump (04:16) until it becomes a fluid, silent motion. ## Conclusion This video serves as a highly valuable masterclass on adapting to structural map updates in Counter-Strike. Rather than just showcasing random grenades, it connects map geometry changes (like destructible doors, removed boost spots, and new vertical windows) directly to macro-strategy and utility attrition. Players looking to improve on the updated Cache will find immense value in mastering the highlighted "utility tax" in Mid, exploiting the massive wallbang damage in Checkers, and utilizing the perfectly safe retake utility for B-site.