All CS2/CS:GO Skin Rarities

There are over 3,500 skins in Counter-Strike 2, which is an extremely impressive number even if we take into account more than two decades of constant growth the game has enjoyed. Some skins you can get practically for free, while obtaining others will be a challenge for even the most dedicated collectors. A CS2 skin rarity often has a direct impact on its popularity, sales volume, and price. Just like in real life, there is a delicate interplay of supply and demand that can leave some people very, very rich.

A good grasp of CS2 skin rarities is essential if you plan to make any forays into the game's thriving official market and third-party platforms. This comprehensive guide includes all the necessary information for you to become a decent Counter-Strike appraiser in no time.

Understanding the CS2 Skin Rarity System

If you wonder how these cosmetic items work, you’re welcome to get acquainted with the CS2 skins explained. The short version is, while the skins don’t have a direct impact on your in-game performance (no pay2win here), they are still valued by the community as self-expression outlets and status symbols.

However, CS2 skins’ value extends far beyond simple in-game customization. Because of their clear use case and long-term value, skins can be an interesting, if a bit unconventional, investment option on par with things like cryptocurrencies and NFTs!

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. On a basic level, CS skins are separated into eight tiers based on how likely you are to get the skin when opening a case.  As a rule, each tier has a corresponding color for quick identification. By the way, the CSGO rarity system did not change all that much with the transition to the game’s current version, making it one of the oldest on the market.

Here’s a list of item tiers, their corresponding colors, and drop probability.

As you can notice, Consumer Grade, Industrial Grade, and Contraband don’t have drop chances, as you can’t get these from cases. Instead, players get these items as a reward for leveling up their ranks or from Weekly Drops (except for Contraband, which is very much its own thing).

CS2/CS:GO Skin Rarity Tiers

Let’s have a quick review of all CSGO rarities you can still find in CS2! We’ll also check the most prominent items from each category.

Consumer Grade

Consumer-grade skins are the most common in-game cosmetic items, and as such are the least interesting part of the CS2 skin rarity chart. Usually, skins from this category offer only minimal changes from the weapon’s basic look and are generally quite unappealing. Although some of them are still popular with the community, it may be difficult to find a gun that costs more than a couple of cents. However, exceptions do exist, and skins like SSG 08 | Red Stone, SG 553 | Tornado, and UMP-45 | Caramel are all quite valuable. They are also often used in Trade-Up Contracts.

Industrial Grade

Next on the CS2 rarity chart are Industrial-Grade skins, which tend to look a bit more interesting and sometimes even feature truly inspired designs. These skins can easily add some personality to your arsenal with visual features like muted camos and basic graphics. The most valuable skins in this tier are Five-SeveN | Candy Apple, M4A1-S | Moss Quartz, and MAG-7 | Chainmail. While the items from this category are slightly more expensive than the ones from Consumer Grade, they’re still mostly used to get something more valuable from the next tier.

Mil-Spec

Mil-Spec skins are the lowest rarity you can get from a case, and it is here that the designers’ creativity starts to truly shine. It's definitely cool to have a weapon from this tier in your inventory, and it shows you're getting serious about your CS aesthetic. The most popular Mil-Spec skins are Negev | Anodized Navy, MP9 | Hot Rod, and MP9 | Pandora's Box. Prices vary wildly in this tier, starting around a dollar and easily reaching over $100 for more sought-after items.

Restricted

Restricted skins are for the discerning players committed to the game and feature unique and often thematic designs that will stand out in a match. They can be inspired by literally anything, from futuristic neons to the traditional art of ancient cultures. This tier includes the popular Glock-18 | Fade, Desert Eagle | Blaze, and M4A1-S | Icarus Fell. This is also the largest tier in the game, and you can find the majority of its skins on the community market. While most of these skins cost several dollars, the most popular ones can fetch a truly jaw-dropping price.

Classified

Classified skins are where rarity starts to turn into exclusivity. This tier includes some of the most visually distinct and coveted items in CS2, often recognizable by their vibrant colors and dynamic animations. The most famous Classified skins are Negev | Mjolnir, MP9 | Wild Lily, and M4A1-S | Knight. Prices for these beauties start in the fifty-dollar range and can climb significantly higher.

Covert

Covert items were the apex of any CSGO skin rarity chart, and the situation stays pretty much the same in CS2. This tier features the most intricate and bold designs Counter-Strike has to offer. Using a Covert weapon is akin to being a VIP client. The value of these skins reflects the status they grant, ranging from a hundred to several thousand dollars. This tier also includes all knives in the game. The most valuable items in this tier are AWP | Gungnir, AWP | Dragon Lore, and AK-47 | Wild Lotus.

Contraband

M4A4 | Howl is currently the only Contraband CS2 skin and a true legend among the community. Once available in cases but removed from the game due to a plagiarism debacle, this skin is a part of the game’s history. The truth, however, is simple — the original artwork used for the skin was found to have been plagiarized, leading Valve to remove it from the game and its marketplace. However, existing skin copies were not deleted, but reclassified under the unique Contraband rarity.

Owning a contraband skin is the ultimate bragging right, with the design obtainable only by direct purchase from one of its current owners. Due to the skin’s rarity and backstory, prices can be astronomical, easily reaching into tens of thousands of dollars.

Extraordinary

The Extraordinary CSGO skin rarity tier is unique in that it only includes gloves. These rare items are divided into eight types, and the chance of getting them when you open a weapon case is astronomically low. Fortunately, it’s still possible to obtain them via trading platforms.

Special Skin Categories

There are many in-game items that have their own unique CSGO skins rarity. For example, Souvenir and StatTrak modify the already mentioned tiers. At the same time, there are categories that have a completely different rarity system.

StatTrak and Souvenir skins

You probably might have noticed that some skins also have StatTrak or Souvenir versions (note that an item can’t have both!), which are way more expensive. So, what are those, exactly?

1. StatTrak: Every time you open a case, there is a 10% chance that you may get an enhanced version of a skin that counts the kills you made with the weapon. If you own a StatTrak gun, you’ll notice a little digital module attached to it. Knives may also have this modifier, but the kills are represented by the scratches on the blade.

   

2. Souvenir: These skins are dedicated to the teams and maps of certain eSports tournaments, such as Majors. They come pre-equipped with unique stickers and are available only in Souvenir Packages. If you want to find out what souvenir means in CS2, we recommend checking our article on the topic.

Agent skins

The players can replace the traditional CT and T characters with unique skins called “Agents.” You can purchase them during some in-game events or on the community marketplace. All in all, there are four rarity tiers for this skin category:

1. Distinguished: These characters differ slightly from ordinary ones, usually with unique uniforms and accessories.

   

2. Exceptional: These agents are a head above the Distinguished characters and are far more recognizable.

   

3. Superior: These skins boast eye-catching elements, personal names, and truly memorable looks.

   

4. Master: Finally, the characters from this category not only have interesting uniforms and names but also unique voice lines and backstories.

   

Collection skins

Some skins are released as a part of a collection during certain time-limited events. Considering that the majority of these items can’t be found in cases, they are quite a catch, even though they fall under the usual CS GO skin rarity tiers. As collection skins are way harder to get, they’re usually quite expensive. There are a lot of notable weapons from the collections, with AK-47 | B the Monster, AWP | LongDog, and M4A1-S | Vaporwave being the most notable.

How Rarity Affects Skin Prices?

The eight CSGO skin rarities stayed the same during the transition to the current version of the game, and still have a massive impact on skin pricing. As you may expect, the lower the chance of obtaining a skin, the higher the price. At the same time, its value also depends on other factors, including:

1. CS2 Float Value;
2. Pattern variation;
3. Popularity within the community.

Conclusion

We hope our guide on the CS2 skin rarity chart has answered all your questions about the game’s cosmetics. The CS rarity system is notoriously complex and serves as a basis for a thriving secondary market. If you’re ready to make your first purchases, we suggest you familiarize yourself with CS2 skin inspect servers.