Bomb Defusing and Anti-Plant Strategy
Bomb defusal is the Counter-Terrorist objective. Any CT player can defuse the bomb, but it requires 40 seconds of uninterrupted time (or 20 seconds with a defuse kit). The defuse kit is a one-time item purchasable for $400 that cuts defusal time in half. Most CT teams buy at least one kit during buy rounds.
Defusal strategy involves deciding who will plant, where the plant will happen, and how to ensure safety during the 40-second defusal window. If only seconds remain on the bomb timer, even 20-second defusal with kit might fail. This creates tension where time management becomes strategic—do defenders rush the bomb or maintain current position?
Anti-plant strategy involves preventing Terrorist bomb plants entirely. This means eliminating Terrorist threats, controlling key angles on the bomb site, and denying site entry through superior positioning. Successful anti-plant is the most valuable defense, as it requires Terrorists to retry their execute, potentially losing players or utility in the process.
After bomb plants, CTs transition to retake strategy: using utility to flush Terrorists, gaining site control, and securing the bomb for defusal. Terrorists must contest defusal, leading to the most intense phase of each round. Professional play often decides in this phase, where split-second decisions determine victory.
Key Points
- Defusal time: 40 seconds (20 with kit)
- Defuse kit costs $400, one-time use
- Anti-plant denies Terrorist execution
- Post-plant CT must retake or avoid plant
- Bomb timer limits CT response time
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not buying defuse kit on eco rounds
- Allowing easy bomb plant without resistance
- Defusing in exposed positions
- Not accounting for bomb timer in rotation
- Delaying defusal when time is low