Factory New vs Battle-Scarred

If you are reading this article, you probably already know that Counter-Strike 2 skins have five float values (wear levels) that affect both their price and appearance. However, what are the key differences between the extremes of this range, and what are the pitfalls when comparing Battle-Scarred vs Factory New skins?

We’ll break down the straightforward logic explaining why skins with float values range between 0 and 0.07 (FN) look better and cost more than those with floats between 0.45 and 1.00 (BS). We’ll also cover some exceptions, where BS skins can be more attractive or expensive than FN skins. Plus, you’ll learn about certain CS2 skins that look almost identical regardless of being Battle-Scarred or Factory New wear, which could help you save some money.

Battle-Scarred and Factory New Differences

An in-depth comparison of the CS2 Factory New vs Battle-Scarred float values can lead to a few different outcomes. The most common case is the price disparity, with Factory New skins traditionally costing several times more than Battle-Scarred items—this is true in roughly 95% of cases. At the same time, significant visual differences are less common, and some BS skins can look nearly identical to their FN counterparts.

So, let’s explore both scenarios in more detail.

Typical Price and Appearance Disparity

Nineteen out of twenty Factory New vs Battle-Scarred random skin comparisons will lead you to a clear conclusion: FN skins look better and justify their higher price tag. Usually, the main visual difference comes down to BS skins having a bigger amount of scratches, which leads to a less vibrant appearance. Since the CS2 skins are designed to deliver an impressive visual impact, having clean, colorful designs is crucial for many players.

Here are some examples to illustrate the price differences between FN and BS skins across various weapons:

As you can see, prices can range from a 50% difference up to a staggering 2,000%, with FN skins usually offering a cleaner appearance.

Cost Difference but Visual Similarity

In some instances, the CS2 Battle-Scarred vs Factory New visual differences are barely noticeable, and BS skins look almost the same as FN copies. At the same time, the price disparity remains similar. Let’s take a look at a few examples where the price gap is considerable, despite the visual similarity between wear levels:

Battle-Scarred: Is It Always Worse?

Now, let’s delve into some of the more exotic cases where Battle-Scarred skins not only compete with their Factory New counterparts but might actually look more attractive or cost more.

Battle-Scarred Skins That Look Better Than Factory New

We will start this section with the phrase, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. In some cases, even if particular BS skins have an aesthetic appeal that some players prefer more than others, it’s objectively hard to choose which of the float values, Factory New or Battle-Scarred, looks more attractive. Here are a few examples where Battle-Scarred skins offer a unique, and sometimes superior, look:

Bowie Knife | Crimson Web — the BS version has a darker, blood-stained appearance that some players find more appealing, reminiscent of the Black Pearl.

Classic Knife | Crimson Web — this painting in the Battle-Scarred wear level has pretty interesting metallic traces of sharpening that make it look more menacing.

The aging of the P250 | Verdigris was realized by decreasing the main color (orange-pink) and adding more green, giving the pistol a stylish look.

If you are curious about the Rust Coat MAG-7, you should look at the BS variant that aligns perfectly with its name, with the rusty appearance adding to its authenticity.

An increase in wear index for the AK-47 | Inheritance features a charming display of golden scratches, which plenty of players prefer over the pristine FN look.

A pretty similar situation is with Black Nile | AWP, which transitions from silver to golden shades as the float index increases.

Why Some BS Cost More Than FN?

Even in the older versions of the game, some CS:GO skins Factory New vs Battle-Scarred comparisons showed an unusual price discrepancy. In these cases, skins with higher wear levels sometimes demand a higher price, despite their seemingly “worse” condition.

Visually, Factory New skins tend to look better, but the pricing anomalies stem from the float ranges. For instance, some skins are simply limited with the maximum wear level they can have, and the BS range between 0.45 and 0.5 becomes tighter than FN’s 0 to 0.07. Consequently, traditional supply and demand laws start working, and so CS fans are ready to pay more for rarer skins, even if they don’t look as visually pristine as their Factory New counterparts:

Summary

As we’ve seen, comparing Battle-Scarred vs Factory New skins in Counter-Strike 2 can sometimes lead to surprising results. Of course, a traditional price and appearance domination belongs to FN copies with a lower float value, but some BS skins can still look better or cost more. Additionally, some BS skins are almost indistinguishable from FN versions, making them a smart choice for those looking to save money.