Guides & Resources
Your complete resource for CS2 skin trading. Master rare patterns, compare marketplaces, explore pro inventories, and make informed trading decisions with data trusted since 2013.





Pattern Identification Guides
Deep-dive resources to help you identify and value the rarest patterns in CS2
Case Hardened Blue Gem Guide
Master the tier system for Blue Gem patterns. Covers all knife types with pattern rankings, #1 patterns, and price estimation formulas.
Doppler Phase Identification
Complete guide to all Doppler phases (P1-P4), Ruby, Sapphire, Black Pearl, and Gamma variants. Includes Max Pink/Blue pattern lists.
Fade Percentage Calculator
Learn how fade % is calculated, the Karambit 90/10 system, and which Pattern Indexes produce 100% Full Fade across all knives and weapons.
Marble Fade Fire & Ice
Distinguish True Fire & Ice from Fake. Understand the Max tier system, identify yellow presence, and find the best F&I patterns for each knife.
Crimson Web Pattern Guide
How web placement, centering, and count affect Crimson Web knife values. Covers all knife types with pattern examples.
Slaughter Pattern Guide
Identify Diamond, Heart, Angel, Zebra, and other Slaughter patterns. Learn which placements command premiums on each knife type.
Lore Finish Family Guide
Everything about the Lore finish across all knife types. Float value impact, price tiers, and the mythology behind the iconic gold-and-green design.
Individual Skin Guides
In-depth price guides, float analysis, and investment outlook for the most iconic CS2 skins
AK-47 Fire Serpent
Operation Bravo origins, Mesoamerican design, wear guide, StatTrak rarity, sticker crafts, and 10-year price history.
AWP Dragon Lore
The most iconic CS2 skin. Cobblestone Souvenir history, float tiers, price evolution from $1,000 to $15,000+, and market analysis.
M4A4 Howl
The only Contraband skin in CS2. Copyright controversy, price history, StatTrak rarity, float impact, and why it keeps appreciating.
AK-47 Wild Lotus
The St. Marc Collection unicorn. Supply analysis, float value impact, price trajectory, and comparison to Fire Serpent.
AWP Gungnir
The Viking spear AWP. Norse mythology design, St. Marc Collection rarity, price tiers, and investment outlook.
AK-47 Gold Arabesque
The golden AK-47. Anubis Collection origins, intricate design analysis, price guide, and collector appeal.
Desert Eagle Blaze
The original flame skin. Dust Collection history, float value impact, back flame patterns, and 10-year price evolution.
Glock-18 Fade
The OG Fade pistol. Fade percentage tiers, full fade identification, pricing by fade %, and collector value.
AWP Asiimov
The futuristic fan favorite. Price guide, float impact, sticker craft value, and why it remains one of the most traded AWP skins.
AWP Lightning Strike
The electric AWP. Original Collection origins, zero-float potential, price analysis, and investment outlook.
AK-47 Redline
The community workhorse. Price guide, sticker craft value, comparison across conditions, and why it's the most-traded AK skin.
AK-47 Vulcan
The futuristic classic. Huntsman Collection origins, float impact, price history from $70 to $400+, and investment outlook.
M4A1-S Hot Rod
The clean red M4A1-S. Float value importance, 0.00x hunting, price guide, and loadout pairing suggestions.
SSG 08 Detour (Souvenir)
The Souvenir Detour deep dive. MVP signatures, tournament editions, condition impact, and collector pricing.
Sticker & Craft Guides
Understand sticker values, craft economics, and the most prestigious applied sticker combinations
Sticker Value (SP%) Calculator
Calculate sticker percentage values. Covers position multipliers, scrape impact, Katowice 2014 premiums, and multi-sticker craft bonuses.
Katowice 2014 Sticker Guide
The holy grail of CS2 stickers. iBUYPOWER, Titan, and team-by-team pricing. Applied vs unapplied values, best craft bases, and market history.
Crown (Foil) Craft Guide
The universal premium sticker. Best craft bases, position value, 1x vs 4x pricing, and why Crown Foil remains the most versatile sticker investment.
Souvenir Skins Guide
How Souvenir drops work, MVP signature values, tournament edition pricing, and the most valuable Souvenir skins in CS2.
Trading & Education
Tools, strategies, and knowledge to maximize your trading decisions
CS2 Marketplace Comparison
Compare 13+ CS2 skin marketplaces. Fees, payment methods, security ratings, instant vs P2P trading, and exclusive deals for each platform.
Float Value Explained
What float values really mean, how they affect appearance and price, wear ranges by condition, and when low float matters most.
Scam Prevention Guide
Protect yourself from the most common CS2 trading scams. API scams, fake middlemen, phishing, and how to verify every trade safely.
CS2 Skin Investment Guide
Data-driven investment strategies. Blue-chip skins, case investments, collection analysis, risk management, and historical returns.
Glove & Knife Combo Guide
The best glove-knife combinations in CS2. Color matching, budget tiers, popular loadouts, and community-voted top combos.
CS2 Shooting, Peeking & Movement
Master CS2 gunplay mechanics: counter-strafing, every peek type, spray control, crosshair placement, and positioning β 40+ tips from beginner to pro.
Featured Lists & Reports
Curated rankings, market reports, and community highlights
Most Expensive CS2 Skins
The definitive ranking of the most expensive CS2 skins ever sold. Blue Gems, Souvenir Dragon Lores, rare crafts, and record-breaking sales.
CS2 Market Report 2025
Annual market analysis: price trends, volume data, top performing skins, marketplace shifts, and what to expect in 2026.
CS2 Market Report 2026
Q1 2026 market analysis: price movements, volume trends, new collection impact, and marketplace competition update.
Top 20 CS2 Players 2025 (HLTV)
The definitive HLTV Top 20 CS2 Players of 2025. Explore each pro's inventory, rare skins, knives, gloves, and estimated total value.
New Collections & Updates
Stay current with the latest CS2 additions and drops
Quick Reference
Essential data at a glance
πBlue Gem Tier Value Multipliers
| Tier | Blue Coverage | Standard Knife | Premium Knife (Kara/BFK) |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 Pattern | ~95-100% | 50-200x market | 100-500x+ market |
| Tier 1 | 85%+ | 10-30x market | 20-50x market |
| Tier 2 | 70-85% | 4-10x market | 8-20x market |
| Tier 3 | 50-70% | 2-5x market | 3-8x market |
| Tier 4 | 30-50% | 1.3-2x market | 1.5-3x market |
πDoppler Value Hierarchy
| Variant | Rarity | Value vs Phase 1 | Key Identification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sapphire | Very Rare | 15-30x | 100% blue, no black |
| Ruby | Very Rare | 10-20x | 100% red, no black |
| Black Pearl | Extremely Rare | 8-15x | Dark purple/green iridescent |
| Emerald (Gamma) | Very Rare | 10-20x | 100% green, no cyan/black |
| Phase 2 | Common | +10-30% | Pink + purple dominant |
| Phase 4 | Common | +5-20% | Blue + black dominant |
| Phase 1 | Common | Base | Black + pink |
| Phase 3 | Common | -5% | Black + blue/green (darkest) |
πͺMarketplace Fee Comparison
| Marketplace | Seller Fee | Buyer Fee | Min. Cashout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skinport | 12% | 0% | $10 |
| Buff163 | 2.5% | 0% | Β₯100 |
| DMarket | 5% | 0% | $5 |
| Steam Market | 15% | 0% | N/A (Steam only) |
| CSFloat | 2% | 0% | $20 |
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