CS2 Molotovs and Incendiaries: Burn Them Out
Updated October 10, 2026 · MyCS2Guru crew
Fire is the best way to move a player off a spot without peeking them. Throw a molotov (T, $400) or incendiary grenade (CT, $500) into a corner and whoever's sitting there has two choices: run out and get shot, or burn. Either way, you win.
How fire works in CS2
- Burn time: about 7 seconds.
- Damage: heavy damage over time. Standing in it kills you fast.
- Spread: fire spreads across flat ground and follows slopes. In CS2 it spreads more naturally and can climb slightly up stairs and uneven surfaces.
- Smokes extinguish fire: a smoke on fire puts it out, and you can't burn through a smoke.
- Mid-air explosion: if the molotov doesn't hit the ground within a couple of seconds, it bursts in the air and does nothing. Make sure your lineup hits the floor.
What molotovs are for
- Clearing corners: burn out common hiding spots on site so your team doesn't have to check them.
- Stalling pushes: CTs throw incendiaries at chokepoints to delay a rush and buy time for rotations.
- Post-plant: after planting, Ts throw mollies on the bomb to stop a defuse. This is one of the most important uses.
- Retakes: CTs burn out Ts holding post-plant spots.
- Breaking AWPers: fire on an AWPer's position forces them to move.
Essential molotov spots by map
| Map | Molotov | Side | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mirage | Under A site boxes / Triple | T | Clears a common close CT spot |
| Mirage | Jungle / Connector | T | Moves defenders off the A site edge |
| Mirage | B Van / Bench | T | Clears B site defenders |
| Mirage | Top mid | CT | Stalls a mid push |
| Inferno | Banana (early) | CT | Classic delay on a B rush |
| Inferno | Pit | T | Burns the deep A defender |
| Inferno | Dark / New box (B) | T | Clears B site corners |
| Dust2 | Goose (A site) | T | Clears the A site corner |
| Dust2 | B car / back plat | T | Clears B corners |
| Dust2 | Long doors | CT | Stalls a long push |
| Nuke | Heaven / Hut | T | Clears A site |
| Ancient | Donut | CT | Stalls a donut push |
| Anubis | B main | CT | Delays a B rush |
The post-plant molotov
This might be the most important molotov in the game. After planting, the Ts fall back to safe positions and wait. When CTs try to defuse, a molotov on the bomb forces them off or kills them. Learn at least one post-plant molotov lineup for each bomb site on your main maps, ideally from a safe spot. Time it so you throw as you hear the defuse start.
How to counter fire
- Smoke it out. Throw a smoke on the fire.
- Jump out fast. The longer you stand in it, the more damage you take.
- Play off-angles. Positions that are hard to reach with a molotov make you harder to burn out.
- Bait the molly. Sometimes showing yourself early draws utility, and you can rotate back after it burns out.
Practice tips
- Use the same practice config as for smokes, with
sv_grenade_trajectory_prac_pipreview 1. - Learn 3 molotovs per map: one site-clear, one post-plant and one CT delay.
- Practice with the timing of your team's executes.
Common molotov mistakes
- Throwing into the air. If it bursts mid-air, it's wasted.
- Burning your own entry path. Your team has to wait for it to burn out.
- Saving it too long. A molotov at the end of a round you lost does nothing.
- Forgetting post-plant mollies. Every T should consider keeping one for after the plant.
- Throwing into smoke. It won't burn.
Complete your utility game with our HE grenade guide and smokes guide.
Molotov FAQ
- Can I throw a molotov over a wall? Yes, as long as it lands on the ground on the other side within a couple of seconds.
- Why did my molotov burst in the air? It didn't hit the ground in time. Throw it lower or closer.
- Do molotovs damage teammates? Yes, with friendly fire on.
- Can I defuse through fire? You can try, but you'll take heavy damage and probably die.
- Which is more important, molotov or HE? For most players, the molotov. It clears positions and stops defuses.
Molotov priority by round type
| Round type | Molotov use |
|---|---|
| Full buy T | Execute molly plus one saved for post-plant |
| Full buy CT | One delay molly on the main choke |
| Force buy | One molly if affordable, for the most important spot |
| Eco | Usually skip |
| Retake | Molly common post-plant spots |
Quick summary
Learn one execute molly, one post-plant molly and one CT delay molly per map. Time them with your team and always save one for the defuse.
Related guides
Example round
On Mirage, your team plants on A. You hide in Palace with a molotov saved. When you hear the defuse start, you throw it onto the bomb. The CT has to stop defusing, and your teammate on Ramp picks them off as they back away. One $400 grenade just won the round.
Molotov vs incendiary: key differences
| Molotov (T) | Incendiary (CT) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $400 | $500 |
| Effect | Fire area | Fire area |
| Duration | About 7 seconds | About 7 seconds |
| Appearance | Glass bottle | Grenade |
They work the same way in practice. The CT version just costs more, which is why CTs often have to budget utility carefully.
Timing molotovs with your team
On T side, molotovs should land right after smokes bloom and right before the entry goes in. Too early and the fire burns out before you arrive. Too late and you're waiting in the open. On CT side, throw delay molotovs when you hear footsteps approaching a choke, not at the start of the round when nobody's there yet.
Best practice sequence
- Learn your team's execute molotov for each site.
- Learn one post-plant molotov for each site.
- Learn one CT delay molotov for each choke.
- Practice each one ten times in a row.
Fire and sound
Burning players make noise, and fire itself is loud. Use this: if you hear someone take fire damage, you know someone was hiding there. Call it.