CounterStrike: Source Strategies - cs_italy

Counter-Strike: Source

Here are some of the strategies I employ while playing my current favorite Counter-Strike: Source map, cs_italy. I normally try to play as a terrorist on this map, so I will start off with strategies for the T's side first.

EDIT:Let me just add to this post and briefly state that I do not claim to be a good CS player. But I do play basic map strategy. If I'm a Terrorist on a hostage map, I guard the hostages. So many people don't do this basic task that I felt a need to write this basic guide. I've seen a few people bashing me lately for having a strategy guide for a CS map, but I felt a need for it because of all the horrendous players out there who don't even try to win the round. Besides, those who are bashing me, are just little punk kids anyway. Go out and get a job.

First off, you need to get your team all on the same page. Teams that do not communicate, usually will not win. This means, if you do not have a gaming headset, or speakers and a separate microphone, get one. How many times have you been killed while trying to type a message to your teammates about where the enemy is. Or trying to navigate the voice command menu just to say "Enemy Spotted." instead of just quickly saying, "3 in the apartment. Need backup!"
Communication with your team should usually take place during the downtime waiting for the previous round to end, mainly because the buy time is usually not enough time to get the team on board. The best strategy I've found for the T's on this map is clearly to sit back and let the Counter-Terrorists come to you. There are three entry points to the T's spawn that should be covered. Make sure you have at least 1 person covering the middle stairway, from the top so both the wine cellar entrance and the back intersection can be covered, at least 1, preferably 2 people covering the long main tunnel leading to the house, and at least one person covering the entrance from the apartments. The most important part of this strategy, since everyone is separated, is to communicate as soon as you spot the enemy. Report where and how many CT's are there. All other players must stay at their assigned posts and pay attention to which players are covering where. If you know player1 is covering apartment and you see that he just died, then that area is compromised and someone needs to fill in. Usually this can be done well from inside the house. This is a good place to have an extra man or two covering from the windows as two entry points can be covered from either window. Fall back to the house and watch from the windows if entry points are compromised. The key is COMMUNICATION, COMMUNICATION, COMMUNICATION, and awareness. You must be aware where the other players are at all times so you know where the enemy is if your teammates are killed.

Another popular, but much more difficult, and dangerous, strategy that some T's employ, is the rush strategy. A lot of newer players, and jaded experienced players, like to employ this strategy because it's more exciting. It's also the easiest way to lose the round. It can be done properly though. Again, the key is to have people rushing the multiple entry points at the same time and for all team members to be aware of who is in what location so you know where the enemy is in case someone is killed before reporting in to the team (which should never happen when communicating often).
The most successful rush path I've found is the apartment. It's a very tight space and can be covered well with only one or two team members. First off, if you are rushing, do not hesitate at the beginning of the round. Positioning is everything. Run right away (with pistol or knife equipped to run the fastest) towards the apartment and rush into the first room, then right into the second room, but don't enter the hallway. This is the choke point for the apartment map and the CT's will usually be right in the room at the end of the hall (if you got here as fast as possible). Take a Flash and throw it into the hallway, banking it off the left wall of the hall about halfway down. This should drop the flash right in the entrance to the room at the end, hopefully blinding most in the room. Crouch and head down the hallway, and when you slowly turn the corner, watch for CT's coming up the stairs, but immediately move your aim to the far corner of the room. This is a favorite place for the CT's to await rushing T's. Toss another flash if possible, then run into the room, gun blazing. The shotgun is a very powerful weapon in such close corners. Keep moving, do not be a stationary target. If you are successful in taking this room, slowly head down the stairs toward the window overlooking the CT spawn. Watch for snipers! Some crappy CT's love to sit at their spawn and snipe at the window. If no one is spotted, your best bet is to run out the window and into the market area. Make sure area is clear through both exits of market. Usually, by now, any CT's who went this way will have made their way up the long hallway to the house. You must make your way back up to the main house in case the CT's made it through the rush. They usually will be at the house by now, or the round would have already ended when your team eliminated them all.
As I said before, this is a much tougher strategy as it leaves many holes in your defense. I don't advise using this strategy unless the whole team is on board and you have already won a bunch of rounds from using the hostage guard strategy. It's sometimes good to switch it up occasionally to keep the other team on their toes.

That's all for now. I will post another sometime soon illustrating some strategies for the cs_italy map from the CT perspective. Please, feel free to leave your comments if you think I left anything out, or you have some strategies of your own to share. And don't worry, if you are a good player, it doesn't matter if others know your strategies. Most of what I've illustrated above are not anything new to most avid CS: Source players.