In CS2, a skin family (or series) refers to a group of cosmetics with a similar design available for several weapon types. There are a total of 159 such groups at the time of writing, with some being literal rubbish and some having a cult-like following in the community. In this article, we are going to talk about the latter – the best CS2 skin series to ever exist.
Cyrex
Cyrex is one of the oldest and most remarkable skin series in CS2 (and its predecessors). It is instantly recognizable for its sleek, futuristic, 3-color minimalist design. The clean matte black-red-white blend is already a winning combination, and little details like triangles, lines, and letters here and there make the weapon seem even cooler.
Although this series currently includes only 4 weapons (M4A1-S, USP-S, SG 553, and SCAR-20), it’s truly legendary, and lots of pro players have been holding these in their inventory for years now. Besides, Cyrex is a kind of design that doesn’t need to be enhanced with stickers or charms — it looks clean and sharp all by itself. Perhaps it’s the reason why it got so popular. Or, perhaps, it’s the price — all Cyrex skins are pretty affordable, even in lower floats.
Rarity: Restricted, Classified, Covert
Release Date: May 1st, 2014
Asiimov
Next up on our list is Asiimov, one of the most recognizable and famous skin series in CS2. Members of this family are easily recognizable by their striking combination of black, white, and orange — a design that’s already super eye-catching and memorable. Add hundreds of famed pro highlights on top of that (from cold’s legendary jumping AWP sequence now immortalized in graffiti to kennyS’ and s1mple’s numerous lightning-quick flicks), and there’s little wonder Asiimov skins are as coveted as they are.
The family includes just 5 skins: AWP, AK-47, P250, P90, and M4A4. The AWP and M4 are particularly hard to come by, especially in low wear. Yet, it seems to us that there’s little to no visual difference between the Factory New AK-47 and Field-Tested AWP on the screenshots above. What about you?
Rarity: Classified, Covert
Release Date: December 18th, 2013
Printstream
Arguably the best skin series in CS2, Printstream combines simplicity with fabulous glittering elements. The family features only 3 skins — Deagle, M4A1-S, and USP-S — with each being an aesthetic gem and one of the cleanest skins in the game. The design comes with a shiny white base complimented by some black details for accents. The details themselves are worth attention as well: stylish geometric shapes, Xs, and squares like those found on modern PlayStations, pixelated hearts resembling the MOUZ logo, and more. The design is holographic, meaning it looks especially stunning with Counter-Strike 2’s improved lighting.
The series is relatively new, but it already has a huge fan base that even includes some pros like jL. One more thing to mention before we move on — even Battle-Scarred Printstream skins usually have little to no visible scratches and damage. However, if you seek the true holographic experience, which is Printstream’s whole thing, you should probably still opt for FN or MW skins.
Rarity: Covert
Release Date: August 6th, 2020
Hot Rod
Hot Rod is a legendary skin series in CS2 like no other. We’ve talked a lot about how simple skins often end up being the most popular, but this family takes this principle to the extreme. What’s more, all 3 of the available Hot Rod skins (M4, MP9, and AUG) come only in MW and FN floats, so there’s no visible damage to mar their pristine beauty.
However, these skins are also very rare and more expensive than their counterparts from the series we’ve discussed previously. Therefore, if you see someone rocking one of these on the server, chances are you’re playing with a pro or a streamer.
The most famous Hot Rod “ambassadors” have to be ropz from Faze and neok (streamer and YouTuber). Check out ropz’s legendary short defense to secure overtime on Inferno vs G2 in the first map of the IEM Katowice 2022 grand final. Would he be able to cope with the pressure wielding any skin other than his trusty M4A1-S Hot Rod? We don’t think so.
Rarity: Mil-Spec, Classified
Release Date: August 14th, 2013
Neo-Noir
The last family on our list is Neo-Noir. Although it’s relatively new, Neo-Noir is swiftly becoming one of the most popular CS2 skin series. Its distinctive cinematic style, inspired by the genre of the same name, adds a bit of dramatic scenery to every gun it’s applied to.
All Neo-Noir skins are a splash of neon blue, pink, and purple, contrasted by the dark base. They feature a sci-fi warrior girl with different skins, capturing her in different emotional states. For example, on the Glock-18, we can clearly see her crying, while on the M4A4, she’s clenching her fists with eyes full of calm confidence. It's a very underrated concept that, in our humble opinion, will make the whole series skyrocket at some point.
Currently, there are 5 skins in the series (USP-S, AWP, M4A4, Glock-18, and UMP-45), with the latest being dropped just about a month ago. Will there be more coming out soon? We surely hope so! This gem of the skin-making industry surely deserves it!
Rarity: Covert, Classified
Release Date: March 15th, 2017
