CS2 Armory Pass Guide
On October 2, 2024, Valve released the Armory update for Counter-Strike 2, introducing an impressive array of content to the game, including over 100 new items and charms. With the variety of captivating skins, the update also introduced a new approach to obtaining these weapons: the new CS2 Armory pass. This pass encourages players to immerse themselves in the game, earning the credits. Using this digital currency that looks like green stars, players can get access to new eye-catching items.
How Does the Armory Pass Work in CS2?
One does not simply purchase items from the Armory using their credit card. First of all, you need to buy an Armory pass for $15.99. Plus, you need to have your Prime Status activated.
The pass immediately grants you 1 credit and starts converting all your in-game XP points into the stars. Approximately 300 XP points are equal to 1 credit. This means winning at least 10 competitive matches will net you 1 star. In addition, take into account that a player can purchase up to five passes at once, and each of them can provide you with up to 40 credits. All the passes can be progressed simultaneously. It means that a single match will bring XP points to all your active passes.
The interesting fact is that you can’t transfer or sell the Armory passes or their credits on the Steam Community Market. This new mechanic requires you to play matches (preferably winning them) to earn as many as possible CS2 Armory pass skins and charms. Additionally, all unboxed items and the ones purchased on the Community Market now come with a 7-day trade restriction.
Given these mechanics, the majority of items earned during this event have a strong potential to gain significant value as soon as the pass expires. The good news? Valve has yet to announce the closing date, giving players ample time to earn the coveted rewards.
How Much Do the Armory Items Cost in CS2?
The CS2 armory pass price is justified as it provides you with access to three new collections, a case, a limited-edition Desert Eagle skin, two sticker bundles, and two charm types. The amount of credits you need to spend to get one of these items differs depending on the category. Here’s a breakdown of credit costs:
Desert Eagle | Heat Treated: 25 credits (limited edition).
Missing Link Charms: 3 credits per random charm.
Small Arms Charms: 3 credits per random charm.
Overpass 2024 Collection: 4 credits per random skin.
Graphic Design Collection: 4 credits per random skin.
Sport & Field Collection: 4 credits per random skin.
Gallery Case: 2 credits per case + $2.50 for the key.
Elemental Craft: 1 credit per random sticker.
Character Craft: 1 credit per random sticker.
How to Earn Credits with the Armory Pass?
Once you've purchased your Armory pass in CS2, it’s time to maximize your earnings. Consider that you need to gain 11,700 XP points to fully utilize a pass.
Unlike a usual CS operation or eSports event, the Armory pass doesn’t feature special tasks that can provide you with extra credits. Luckily, you can follow a couple of time-tested strategies to accelerate your progress and get as many skins as possible.
Buy 5 Armory Passes
Although you need to spend $80 to buy five passes, this approach allows you to accumulate far more credits. Every time you gain XP points after playing matches, they’ll be converted into stars on all active passes simultaneously.
Play Competitive Matches
Winning competitive matches provides the fastest way to rack up XP. Nonetheless, it’s strongly recommended that you play this mode only with your friends. Thus, you won’t simply have a lot of fun; you’ll also minimize the chance of losing matches, enhance coordination and boost your chances of victory by applying efficient CS strategies.
Opt for Deathmatch Mode
In case you prefer to play solo, it’ll be a good idea to opt for the Deathmatch mode to accelerate gaining the XP points. If you are a skillful CS player, taking part in these matches allows you to get nearly 100 XP per 10 minutes. It means that you can receive 2 credits per hour of playtime.
Tips on How to Spend Armory Credits Profitably
While it might be tempting to buy a sticker right after purchasing a new CS2 battle pass, it’s better to hold off and focus on items with high potential resale value or personal significance. Of course, it’ll be a wise decision to spend your Armory credits in CS2 to obtain the cosmetic items that stand a strong chance of becoming extremely valuable in the future. As a rule, these skins have eye-catching designs or are related to the popular Families (such as Fade). If you want to make the right investment, pay attention to the following items from the new collections:
AWP | CMYK (Graphic Design Collection).
Desert Eagle | Starcade (Graphic Design Collection).
AUG | Lil' Pig (Graphic Design Collection).
M4A1-S | Fade (Sport & Field Collection).
Glock-18 | AXIA (Sport & Field Collection).
Galil AR | Rainbow Spoon (Sport & Field Collection).
AK-47 | B the Monster (Overpass 2024 Collection).
AWP | Crakow! (Overpass 2024 Collection).
Zeus x27 | Dragon Snore (Overpass 2024 Collection).
You can also purchase some charms and stickers, but don’t anticipate a significant rise in their value after the event concludes. However, if you’re fortunate enough to acquire all the mentioned skins, you might want to try your luck by opening the Gallery case. Among its offerings, the most valuable items (excluding knives) include the M4A1-S | Vaporwave, Glock-18 | Gold Toof, and AK-47 | The Outsiders.
Should you invest in the limited-edition item Desert Eagle | Heat Treated, the only item available without relying on chance? Well, if you manage to accumulate all 200 credits, spending 25 of them on this skin could be a worthwhile choice. There is no doubt that this weapon is worth its money. Nonetheless, it’s advisable to prioritize acquiring items from the collections first, as they’re more likely to be appreciated in value over time.
Summary
Follow the tips from our CS2 Armory pass guide to get the most out of this exciting event. With a bit of strategy and time investment, even a casual Counter-Strike fan can get enough credits to test their luck and amass some valuable skins or charms. Keep these items for your personal collection or sell them on the Community Market after the event ends to capitalize on their potential value.
