Some maps in CS:GO have a loyal following due to their nostalgia for the “good old days”. Train, the subject of this article, is one such map. Train was famous as being an AWPers heaven back in the 1.6 days, and it has retained some of that reputation in CS:GO.
Interestingly, the map continues to play an essential role in CS:GO and is one of the main arenas of epic battles even today. Even though Train definitely favors the CT side, the map is good for Terrorists, as long as they know what they’re doing.
Many people reading this probably don’t know what to expect from this map, which is why this CS:GO Train Tips & Tricks guide is for you.
Train on the CT side
One of the things we’ve pointed out earlier in this review is that Train is a map that focuses on the CT side. No one can deny that CTs have an advantage, so you have to make the most of it while playing this role.
Although there are different setups you can go for, most pro teams and high-rated players prefer to focus on the A site. Usually, they send four people there and leave only one player on B. This might seem risky on paper, but having plenty of CTs on the A site allows the team to control the upcoming attacks.
Another thing about the positioning is that CTs can always move to the B site in seconds. Therefore, there is no need to put more people there because the A site is harder to control.
In most cases, one player stays near the so-called “connector” because this spot allows the player to keep track of many things. However, the person who stays there needs to be careful because the enemy team could kill quickly and land a kill.
The B Site
If we assume that you decide to place one player on the B site, this person needs to have a good position. Some people prefer to stay near the CT spawn and watch the bomb with an AWP. Although this is the safer option, it is not that good because this player won’t provide his team with any information until the Ts are already on the site.
Since providing more information to your team is of utmost importance, you should try to stay somewhere where you can get early information. This allows you to inform your teammates about the potential push.
One of the common mistakes made by people who defend this site is to push. Although pushing can be worth it in many scenarios, usually, it is not advisable to do this. If you die, you will give your opponents a free bomb site, which means they can easily push and take it in no time.
Holding A
Despite the fact that the B site might seem more attractive. Experienced T-side players who know how to play will focus on the A site. This site is much more complicated to defend because the Ts can appear from multiple locations. In other words, you can’t defend this on your own, and you need someone to help you.
One of the scariest things that could happen to you if you are on the A site as a CT is to experience a full five-man rush. If your opponents know where to throw their Flashes, you won’t be able to do anything to stop them.
You could do loads of things to secure this bomb site, such as asking your teammates to flash. In some cases, it is advisable to throw incendiaries in locations where the Ts can push from. This will help you greatly because they will be forced to return.
Train as a T
Since Train is a map that heavily favors the CT side, playing successfully as a T is easier said than done. There are two main things that you could do – playing slow or rushing as a team. Both things have their pros and cons, so it all comes down to the specific scenario you’re in.
Most professional teams prefer to play slowly until they land one or two kills because this will allow them to push the given site. However, there are many cases where making a fast rush can be extremely powerful.
One of the best examples is when your team decides to rush the ladder. If you choose to do that, you have to throw a flash and jump down the ladder right after that. This should allow you to score at least one kill, and even if you die, your opponents will be alerted. This allows your other teammates to peak from different angles and (potentially) land a few kills.
Rushing B
If you’re new to the game or playing with friends that are not too familiar, rushing a site could be a viable tactic. Even though this tactic doesn’t seem that good on some maps, it works on Train. As mentioned, most CTs will only put one player there, so you should be able to deal with him fairly easily. This is especially true if you execute it well with friends.
Once you manage to break into the bomb site and plant, you have to spread around as much as possible. This should help you prepare for the upcoming rush from the CT side.
Speaking of rushing, you need to remember that the two bomb sites are close to each other. In other words, the CTs will be able to help their teammate in a couple of seconds, which doesn’t give you a lot of time to react.
Final Thoughts
Train can be a fantastic map and you can easily dominate against your opponents once you learn the ins and outs of it. People who are new to CS: GO should spend some time exploring the map and its opportunities before they start playing. Even though Train favors the CT side, every mistake can lead to a loss, so even the CTs have to know how to counter their opponents.
