Canals Callouts Guide

A starting callout map for the new competive map Canals. Will be improved over time. Includes a description of callouts, boosts, choke points and other interesting things.

Canals Map Description

CSGO Blog Post

http://blog.counter-strike.net/index.php/2017/03/18185/
"Canals is a brand new map for CS:GO, set in a historic Italian city. Two important tourist attractions are under threat by an international group of terrorists known as the Phoenix, and SEAL Team 6 has been deployed to stop them.

The map is based on real-world environments that give each area its own architectural style as well as gameplay, and produce an unconventional layout. The CT side is composed of a large, wide open area while the T-controlled territory forms a crescent of smaller spaces around it and provides multiple approaches to each bomb site.

The bombsites require different tactics and weapon choices for each team. Site A is set in the open CT territory and rewards the use of smoke grenades as well as rifle skills, while site B is located in the interior where submachine guns and shotguns will prove most useful.


The canal that runs below site B also allows a stealthy approach deep into the CT-controlled area and the A site. This area has a lot of cover that makes it difficult and hazardous for CTs to hold.

While the map is based on a real-world location, the aesthetics are intentionally clean and uncluttered for good player visibility. In addition, many of the environmental models are built in a modular fashion so they can be easily re-used by community map makers.

We look forward to seeing how the map is received by the players. As with our previous map releases, listening to feedback from the community will help us make improvements in the future."

Callouts

The following map is undergoing construction and improvement. This map started Day 1 to help my team learn the canals callouts. When we started to play the map, there was no existing callout map, so we are recording what we used as we played, and improving on it. Expect changes based on community feedback and other details listed in the updates section. I am also including the blank files I am using in case your team wants to do callouts on their own or use a more "vanilla" approach (minimap callouts only) with the map. if you use the callout map or blank files, I ask that you give this guide a mention or a credit, ty.
Main Callout Map


DDS Conversion Map (Blank)

Load Screen map (Blank)

In Game MiniMap

Strategy

If you have not played the map before, I would recommend studying it as much as possible before playing. Try playing offline or get as much studying with your team done in warmup and start finding callouts you can use with your team that they can recognize immediately. Interesting tidbits that you find out immediately. Water doesn’t kill you! Nice! There are many angles and avenues in this map, it is VERY easy to get flanked. For every one way to push there is about 3 ways to get flanked in an area. study study study

Let's cover A-Site to begin. A Site is the shortest distance for both T-Side and CT-Side. Terrorists have more avenues to site than CT, however Counter Terrorists can gain access to Boost, Palace Window, and possibly hide directly on site if not seen by T Side. Palace window is a great place to sit for CT, it can look directly at site, boost, ramp, and other cover areas. However, it is easily flanked from a push at courtyard, and the angle at window does not cover any of top a.


When on T-Side the quickest avenue to A site for terrorists is Short. Terrorists can push short but short has a fork in the road called hut, dividing it. The other avenues stem from the alleyway to the right when crossing T-Bridge. This alleyway is called Garden, when CT is pushing garden there is a stair way (T-Stairs) to the right, that can be held to fend off a push. Once past T-Stairs, terrorists can choose to go Arch or Shop (also called market). The archway is a narrow passage to a site that gives a chance to peak Top and Lower A with an AWP. Past arch is shop, and gives terrorists a chance to go Back A and around to ramp. Going ramp will give terrorists a chance to peak window, which CTs can use to fend off rather well.

B site
There are several ways to B Site for Terrorists. The various bridges and water offer a long route to site. The Water Canal is tough to callout within the water itself, it has been referred to as river, long, and even mid. Start by ranging out the bridges (B Site Bridge, Mid Bridge, Low Bridge, and T bridge). CT Side can site on White Bridge (or under it) and watch the cross to count how many are going to site (vice versa as well) . Though there is a lot of cover when pushing down water. There is a boost spot on scaffolding that can lead directly to site, but is costly on time. Terrorists can get flanked from CTs pushing from A site, and at Tunnel. Once Terrorists are at Ivy they can take boost over trash at back alley or take B stairs.

I'll amend this as time goes on. Please leave your suggestions, callouts, and strats in the comments, and I'll edit this guide as time goes on.

Update Notes

Update Notes

UPDATE 1: Looked into better resolution maps. Semz pointed out the loadscreen map could be screenshoted and provided improvement, thanks semz. I also dug into the CSGO Files to find the .DDS Image with much higher quality
UPDATE 2: Converted DDS image with GIMP. Made various changes to the callout map. Vastly improved resolution. Tried manually creating horizontal and staggered text in some areas. Included more

• default minimap callouts(front entrance, palace interior,tunnel stairs, T-Upper) ,
  
• added team created callouts(top a, boost, hell, heaven), added suggested callouts(red,balcony),
  
• added callouts based on map signs (SEI Invisible = I'm Invisible (Ninja);vetato = forbidden, considering plaiza as well) ;
  
• added callouts based on color (white, red, green),
  
• added custon callouts (tug boat, CT Pillars).
  
• Map Colors to Counter Terrorists; Terrorists; and colored callouts.

Plans for Improvement

• Remove Clutter
  
• Improve Alignment and Readability
  
• Text Based on Scope
  
• Text based on true horizontal
  
• Feedback Improvements

[leafylink]

retarded map I lost against silvers

[Re-L]

@Phi Phug do you mean to make call outs on, or that there are still issues with people pixel walking , and exploiting the map? IThe latter has been taken care of afaik, as for the second, there are alot of spots, find what works for you :)

[Min]

This map so hard to report : (

[Shrimp]

ya

[zt0L]

this map is so broken

[Re-L]

@SuperNova . Get a familiarity for navigating the map first of all. Start a deathmatch in offline mode with bots and just walk around an d time yourself.If you are on CT side try and watch highrises for the cross. Such as on CT Bridge viewing Canal, Court Window viewing Windows to B Push, or Heaven watching A site for instance. Gain intel. Have one CT sit in heaven, one watch CT Bridge, and a couple b.

If you are on T-Side go b and hang tight on the walls to ivy. Watch the flank from short and tunnels. If you can push up canal you can out flank a couple CT and push through palace or lobby and cut off an advance. All depends on yourself and teammates familiarity.

I overall recommend to study the map and keep a calm head when playing. The map can get frustrating at times.

[Re-L]

@Skillz | cs.money . Many argue that it is T-Sided, currently there isn't really the statistics out there of win/loss ratio for this map post-adjustment. There's a starting phase of getting used to the map, finding effective strats, and with so many avenues, there's potential.It really depends on the team and how it is played. Even if a map is one sided or another, its about mindset, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence as they say.

[Shrimp]

NO IT IS T
so op in t

[Syxtem]

Hello, how do I play this map?

[✪ Skillz]

is this map ct sided