What is Fire & Ice?
Fire & Ice is the rarest Marble Fade pattern style in CS2: the playside shows only red (fire) and blue (ice) with zero yellow visible. Any yellow on the playside typically drops the knife to Fake Fire & Ice or Tricolor depending on severity.
- Playside only. Backside patterns do not determine Fire & Ice classification.
- Pattern Index matters. Fire & Ice is determined by the seed/pattern index, not just screenshots.
- Premium is real. Max Fire & Ice can sell for multiple times standard Marble Fade.
How to verify Fire & Ice (5-step quick check)
- Get the Pattern Index (seed) from the listing / inspect.
- Inspect in-game (or use your inspect workflow) and look at the playside only.
- Hunt for yellow: check blade edge, tip, and near the handle.
- Classify using the Tier System below (Max / Near-Max / Fake / Tricolor).
- Price it: compare to base Marble Fade and apply a realistic overpay band.
Fastest workflow: Pull the seed → compare to the "Key pattern indexes" section → validate yellow on playside.
Fire & Ice tier system
Most communities rank Fire & Ice by how clean the playside looks (i.e., how much yellow exists at the boundary or edges). Use this table as a practical buyer/seller framework:
| Tier | Playside rule | Typical premium | Buyer note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max (True) | Zero yellow visible | +200–400% | Most liquid at high overpay |
| Near‑Max | Microscopic yellow edge / tiny spot | +100–250% | Best value for buyers |
| Fake F&I | Visible yellow line/edge | +15–30% | Often mislabeled as "true" |
| Tricolor | Significant yellow | Base value | Pay for float, not pattern |
Important: Lighting can hide yellow in screenshots. Always validate in-game inspection when buying at premium.
Key pattern indexes (seeds) to know
Some seeds show up repeatedly across knives as clean Fire & Ice candidates. Start with these when hunting value listings:
| Pattern Index | Typical Result | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
412 | Max Fire & Ice | Often considered the "holy grail" seed |
146 | Max / Near‑Max | Consistently strong across multiple knives |
413 | Near‑Max | Commonly traded as high-tier F&I |
601 | Near‑Max | Frequently appears in lists for several knives |
For live pricing context, compare the base knife value and then apply the premium bands above:
Max Fire rankings
Within True Fire & Ice patterns, there's a hierarchy based on how much red (fire) dominates the blade. The community has established a ranking system:
| Tier | Description | Rarity | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Max | Maximum possible red coverage | Rarest | Highest |
| 2nd Max | Near-maximum red, slightly more blue | Very rare | Very high |
| 3rd Max | Excellent red coverage | Rare | High |
| 4th–7th Max | Good red coverage, progressive increase in blue | Moderate | Moderate |
| 8th–10th Max | Minimum qualifying F&I, blue-dominant | More common | Lower |
Top Karambit Pattern Seeds
| Pattern Seed | Fire & Ice Tier | Notes |
|---|---|---|
412 | 1st Max | Holy grail Karambit F&I pattern |
146 | 1st Max | Equally coveted as 412 |
952 | 2nd Max | Excellent red coverage |
509 | 3rd Max | Strong red presence |
363 | 4th Max | Good balance |
Note: Pattern seeds produce different results on different knife types. Always verify for the specific knife.
Pricing by knife type (approximate, True F&I FN)
| Knife | Standard Marble Fade (FN) | True F&I (FN) | Max F&I (FN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karambit | ~$800 | $2,500 – $5,000 | $6,000 – $15,000+ |
| Butterfly | ~$1,200 | $3,000 – $6,000 | $8,000 – $18,000+ |
| M9 Bayonet | ~$600 | $1,500 – $3,000 | $4,000 – $8,000+ |
| Bayonet | ~$350 | $800 – $1,500 | $2,000 – $4,000+ |
| Talon | ~$500 | $1,200 – $2,500 | $3,000 – $6,000+ |
| Flip Knife | ~$250 | $600 – $1,200 | $1,500 – $3,000+ |
Knife-specific notes (what changes by model)
Fire & Ice is ultimately about the playside view — but each knife shape reveals color differently. These notes help you avoid overpaying for weak-looking playsides.
Karambit
The curved blade shows the transition aggressively. That's why Karambit Fire & Ice is typically the most expensive and most liquid at premium. See Karambit Marble Fade.
Bayonet / M9 Bayonet
Both show a longer straight transition. Small yellow edges can be easier to spot here — don't buy from low-quality screenshots.
Butterfly
Visual appeal is high, but playside angle can change perceived yellow. Always verify in-game.
Want to preview fast? Use the SteamAnalyst Loadout Builder to compare patterns and build a matching loadout around your knife.
Pricing & overpay (how to value Fire & Ice)
Prices move weekly. Use this as a valuation framework:
- Start with the base Marble Fade price for the same knife + condition.
- Confirm seed & playside tier (Max / Near-Max / Fake / Tricolor).
- Apply the premium band from the tier table.
- Adjust for float, market liquidity, and listing platform fees.
Shortcut: If a listing is "Fire & Ice" but you can spot yellow at normal zoom, treat it as Fake F&I unless proven otherwise.
Disclaimer: premiums vary by knife model, float, demand, and platform. Always confirm recent comps.
Scams & common mistakes
Sellers omit "fake" and rely on poor screenshots. Require seed + in-game inspection.
Some lighting setups wash out yellow. Always validate the playside at different angles.
The backside can look clean while the playside contains yellow. Value is playside-driven.
Listings claim "Max" but show yellow. Treat tiers as a visual rule, not a seller label.
FAQ
What is the rarest Fire & Ice pattern?
Max Fire & Ice patterns with zero yellow on the playside are the rarest and most expensive. Many communities consistently cite 412 as a top "Max" seed.
Does the backside matter for Fire & Ice?
No. Fire & Ice is a playside-only classification.
Is Fake Fire & Ice still valuable?
Yes. It often sells at a moderate premium above standard Marble Fade and can be a strong value buy if correctly priced.
How do I quickly verify a listing?
Ask for the Pattern Index (seed), inspect the playside, and compare to the key seed list. Use the Loadout Builder to plan your full loadout around a target knife.
