The Nova, often overlooked in the vast arsenal of weapons in Counter-Strike, has garnered a niche following among players who appreciate its unique blend of power and versatility. While many players lean towards SMGs for their eco round or counter-eco picks due to their range and rate of fire, the Nova provides an alternative that can be just as effective, especially in close-quarters combat. In certain cases, shotguns are incredibly effective even from rifle range which makes the Nova a solid choice on a budget even against people with M4s and AKs.
It’s true that finding quality skins at affordable prices can be quite the challenge. Fortunately, the Nova has a variety of appealing skins available for under $10, making it easier for skins budget-conscious players to equip themselves with attractive designs.
1. Nova | Sobek’s Bite
The Nova | Sobek’s Bite skin is a striking piece that draws inspiration from the ancient Egyptian crocodile god, Sobek. Its design features a textured pattern resembling crocodile skin, highlighted by vibrant green and golden hues. The artfully crafted detailing gives the gun an aggressive and exotic flair, making it visually compelling on the battlefield.
The Sobek’s Bite skin stands out not only for its artistic representation but also for its thematic ties to mythology, appealing to players who appreciate unique and narrative-driven designs. This skin can typically be found in a price range of $4 to $8 depending on its condition. In the Factory New condition, it may approach the higher end of the spectrum, while Field Tested or Well Worn options can be acquired for $3 or even less.
Price range: $4 – $8
2. Nova | Toy Soldier
For players who enjoy a playful aesthetic, the NOVA | Toy Soldier skin is a charming choice. This skin features a whimsical design reminiscent of childhood green toy soldiers, with bright colors and cartoonish details. The main body is painted in shades of green that mimics the look of plastic toy figures. The details include a star engraved near the backmost part of the shotgun.
The overall effect is lighthearted, making it a perfect choice for players who want to bring a sense of fun to their gameplay. This skin’s appeal lies in its ability to evoke memories of childhood and play. You can typically purchase the Nova | Toy Soldier for around $1 to $3, making it one of the more affordable yet creative skins in the Nova lineup.
Price range: $1 – $3
3. Nova | Candy Apple
The Nova | Candy Apple skin is an eye-catching design that shines with its vibrant red finish, reminiscent of a shiny candy apple. The skin has a smooth, glossy surface that reflects light, enhancing its visually striking nature. The bright red color is consistent throughout half the skin, giving it a sleek and polished look. The barrel half of the Nova is painted in a simple gray, providing contrast to the vibrance that the candy red color provides. The simple design allows the color to take center stage, making it stand out among more intricate skins.
This skin is perfect for players who appreciate bold colors and a straightforward aesthetic without excessive patterns or complications. The Candy Apple skin’s ability to catch the eye while remaining elegant is what keeps it popular. This skin typically retails for less than $0.10 in its normal version, whereas the StatTrak versions multiply the price more than tenfold. The basic Factory New version can go for only around $0.10, while the lowest float StatTrak variants reach upwards of $150.
Price Range: Less than $0.10
4. Nova | Koi
The NOVA | Koi skin is a stunning representation of the beloved koi fish, known for its beauty and symbolism in various cultures. The skin features a vibrant design that takes completely from its namesake, with bold oranges, reds, and whites depicting the body of a koi. The intricate artwork includes even its scales on the base of the weapon, giving it a lively, dynamic feel. The detail and color contrast make this skin particularly striking in both casual and competitive play. With its artistic design and attention to detail, the NOVA | Koi is perfect for players seeking something unique. The Nova | Koi is an inexpensive weapon finish, really costing only around $1 to $2 on average.
Price Range: $1 – $2
5. Nova | Red Quartz
The Nova | Red Quartz skin is popular for its polished, crystalline look, combining dark red which even resembles a hazel or brown finish. The Red Quartz uses an anodized multicolored style, which adds a glossy effect to the entire weapon. The design, inspired by the structure of quartz, has a fine, shattered crystal look, giving it a sleek yet rugged appearance. The metallic sheen of the color reflects in-game lighting well.
While it doesn’t have rare patterns, each version retains the polished look characteristic of the Red Quartz finish. This skin is accessible across a variety of wear levels with prices generally between $4 and $6.
Price Range: $4 – $6
6. Nova | Graphite
The Nova | Graphite brings a touch of modern simplicity with its carbon fiber-inspired look. This skin has a smooth, reflective black surface with graphite-like texturing, achieved through a hydrographic pattern. The faint, crisscrossed design subtly covers the surface of the weapon, creating a minimalistic yet sophisticated appearance. The Nova | Graphite is perfect for players who favor a sleek, understated look that maintains a sense of style and refinement without loud colors or patterns.
Due to its neutral tones, this skin complements many loadout combinations, fitting well with other monochromatic or darker skins. It can also be a canvas for numerous different sticker crafts and combinations due to its simple, dark colorway. The smooth matte finish has made it a go-to for players who prefer minimalistic aesthetics. This skin is affordable, generally priced between $6 to $7 and is only available in Minimal Wear or Factory New.
Price Range: $6 – $7
7. Nova | Wurst Hölle
The Nova| Wurst Hölle, or “Sausage Hell,” skin is a whimsical design themed around German bratwurst sausages. Its design features a cartoonish depiction of sausages, complete with rays of fire along the stock of the weapon and trailing the sausages. This skin is a great choice for players who like to add a bit of personality and humor to their loadout, offering a lighthearted alternative to the more serious and tactical skins available. The skin takes its name and inspiration from the map Overpass, where the shop “Wurst Hölle” can be found.
This skin’s quirky style is ideal for players looking to add humor to their loadouts, providing a refreshing break from traditional designs. The Wurst Hölle remains a budget-friendly option and is usually available for $1 to $2 across all wear conditions, making it an affordable and unique choice.
Price Range: $1 to $2
8. Nova | Rising Skull
The Nova| Rising Skull skin presents a design featuring an image of a skull with streaks emerging from around it. Set against a sleek, white background, the skull graphic is highlighted with white and beige, making it easily stand out even against a lighter backdrop. This skin appeals to players who enjoy edgy, gothic themes, with an aesthetic that’s both eerie and captivating.
This skin’s unique artwork stands out due to its deathly yet intriguing theme, making it an interesting choice among players who prefer loadouts that have a lot going on despite not being the flashiest. The Rising Skull generally costs between $4 and $6 depending on condition.
Price Range: Around $4 – $6
9. Nova | Wild Six
The Nova | Wild Six skin boasts a rustic, Western-inspired look with a mix of post-apocalyptic design given the rust and the wear and tear that can be seen on the skin. The skin’s main colors are a blend of many colors, primarily a light brown, complemented by distressed details and various graphics scattered across the surface. The Wild Six is one of the cheaper offerings on this entire list, going for well under $2.
Price Range: $1 – $2
10. Nova | Moon in Libra
The Nova | Moon in Libra skin offers a celestial-inspired design, featuring soft pastel shades of purple and blue against a night sky backdrop. The surface is adorned with intricate illustrations of the moon, stars, and Libra scales, giving it an astrological theme. The light blue and violet tones add a calming, almost dreamlike quality, perfect for players who appreciate designs based on astronomy or mythology. The details capture the phases of the moon and constellations, making it an elegant addition to any loadout.
It also partners perfectly with the Dual Berettas | Moon in Libra and the ever-famous AWP | Sun in Leo. Prices for the Nova | Moon in Libra are stable around $4 to $5.
Price Range: $4 – $5