Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) has certainly taken skin customization to a whole new level with rare skin patterns that not only change a weapon’s appearance – but also its value.
If you’re a player and/or collector who appreciates the visual aspects of in-game skins, then it’s really important that you understand how these patterns work. Here, we’re going to look at some of the rarest skin patterns in CS2, what makes them stand out – and why they are so highly sought after in the Counter-Strike community.
Case Hardened Patterns
First, we have case-hardened patterns that are some of the most highly coveted in the game, thanks to the fact that each one comes with its own unique, randomized color pattern, so every one is different. You’ll find them on all sorts of weapons – including the AK-47, Five-SeveN, and Karambit and they come in a host of multicolored combinations from blue, gold, purple, and silver to those highly desirable “Blue Gem” patterns. The Blue Gem is the rarest and most valuable version of all, with its almost entirely blue surface – making it both rare and visually striking.
On the AK-47, for example, the more blue coverage, especially around the body, the more it’s worth. Different levels of blue coloration are what creates the different levels of rarity and desirability- with the partial blue or mixed colors perfect for anyone who wants a Blue Gem’s unique pattern without its hefty price tag.
Case Hardened patterns really bring a sense of charm and exclusivity to the world of CS2’s skins – and the more blue on it, the more money it’s worth!
- Main Pattern Types:
- Blue Gem: This is the most sought-after pattern of all Case Hardened skins, with its large, unbroken blue areas that cover the body of the weapon. On an AK-47, for example, a full blue finish can reach extreme prices!
- Scarred and Mixed Patterns: Other patterns are a mix of gold, purple, and blue tones, each with varying rarities.
Case Hardened Skins List
Here are the one patterns for all of the skins on which the Case Hardened pattern is on:
- AK47 | Case Hardened
- Tier One Patterns: 661, 151, 955, 321, 387, 670, 179
- Five-Seven | Case Hardened
- 278, 690
- MAC-10 | Case Hardened
- Tier One Patterns: 95, 19, 251, 239, 295, 748, 890, 406, 807, 199, 831
Case Hardened Knives
- Gut Knife
- Tier One Patterns: 567, 962, 125, 60
- Flip Knife
- Tier One Patterns: 670, 321, 151, 592, 661, 555
- Bayonet
- Tier One Patterns: 555, 592, 670, 151, 179
- M9 Bayonet
- Tier One Patterns: 601, 417
- Karambit
- Tier One Patterns: 387, 442, 269, 321, 73, 955, 853, 902, 507, 776
- Huntsman Knife
- Tier One Patterns: 618, 652, 721, 29
- Butterfly Knife
- Tier One Patterns: 192, 652, 398, 838, 29, 494
- Falchion Knife
- Tier One Patterns: 494, 838, 638, 891, 371, 917, 868, 283, 112, 398, 130, 182, 749
- Shadow Daggers:
- Tier One Patterns: 56, 505, 866, 417, 609
- Bowie Knife
- Tier One Patterns: 182, 398
- Navaja Knife
- Tier One Patterns: 398, 407, 838, 371, 182, 839, 638, 720, 74, 273, 749, 919, 713, 401
- Ursus Knife
- Tier One Patterns: 494, 770, 618, 575, 652, 112
- Stiletto Knife
- Tier One Patterns: 182, 713, 494
- Talon Knife
- Tier One Patterns: 55, 923, 241, 602, 899, 316, 180, 222, 528, 10, 837
- Classic Knife
- Tier One Patterns: 403, 58, 681, 169, 456, 601, 316, 577
- Survival Knife
- Tier One Patterns: 403, 456, 169, 681, 316, 577, 281, 704, 58
- Paracord Knife
- Tier One Patterns: 403, 316, 456, 58, 681, 577, 169
- Nomad Knife
- Tier One Patterns: 456, 577, 169, 681, 55, 403, 922, 704, 316, 850, 628, 187, 447
- Skeleton Knife
- Tier One Patterns: 403, 456, 169, 681, 316, 577, 58
Case Hardened Gloves
- Hydra Gloves
- Tier One Patterns: 310, 829, 221, 71, 941, 632, 399, 392, 900, 773, 505
Other Case Hardened Patterns: Gold Gems
Gold Gems have very little blue to them – and are almost the complete opposite of blue gems. However, they work in a similar way to blue gems.
- Gold Gem Five-Seven:
- Top Tier Pattern Number: 691
- Gold Gem Bayonet
- Top Tier Pattern Number: 395
- Gold Gem Karambit
- Top Tier Pattern Number 896
- Gold Gem Huntsman Knife
- Top Tier Pattern Number: 190
Fade Patterns
Then, we have the CS2 skins fade patterns, which have a beautiful gradient effect as the colors blend smoothly down the surface of the weapon. You’ll usually find them on knives and pistols like the Karambit, Butterfly Knife, and Desert Eagle – and each stands out. They work their way through bright colors— usually from gold or yellow near the handle to pink, purples, or even blues as you get towards the tip, making it a very eye-catching look that really stands out in gameplay.
The value of the Fade pattern basically depends on the fade percentage – where the higher the percentages (closer to full fade they are) the rarer and more valuable they are.
- Main Pattern Types:
- Full Fade: The Full Fade patterns have the most color coverage – and are the rarest and most valuable… with a full purple-pink fade being a very valuable skin.
- 50/50 and 90/10 Fades: These percentages basically refer to the color balance – where the higher the percentage of fade, the better.
Full Fade and 99% Fade Patterns
Here is a list of all full fade patterns for all the knives:
- Karambit and Talon Knives:
- Top Tier Pattern Numbers: 16, 129, 146, 152, 241, 281, 292, 332, 344, 359, 393, 412, 541, 602, 628, 649, 673, 688, 701, 743, 777, 792, 918, 994
- Butterfly Knife, Nomad Knife, Classic Knife, Paracord Knife, Stiletto Knife, Skeleton Knife, Survival Knife, Ursus Knife and Shadow Daggers
- Top Tier Pattern Numbers: 41, 87, 93, 205, 326, 341, 348, 403, 468, 520, 527, 575, 583, 601, 636, 651, 742, 763, 807, 892, 897, 910, 911, 961
- M9 Bayonet
- Top Tier Pattern Numbers: 41, 87, 93, 205, 326, 341, 348, 403, 422, 468, 520, 521, 527, 575, 583, 601, 636, 651, 668, 714, 742, 763, 807, 892, 897, 910, 911, 961
- Bayonet
- Top Tier Pattern Numbers: 34, 41, 87, 93, 205, 256, 326, 341, 348, 403, 468, 520, 521, 527, 575, 583, 601, 636, 651, 668, 714, 742, 763, 807, 848, 892, 897, 910, 911, 944, 961
- Falchion Knife
- Top Tier Pattern Numbers: 41, 87, 93, 326, 341, 403, 468, 520, 521, 527, 575, 636, 651, 763, 897, 910, 911, 961
- Huntsman Knife
- Top Tier Pattern Numbers: 41, 87, 93, 205, 326, 341, 348, 403, 468, 520, 521, 527, 575, 601, 636, 651, 668, 714, 763, 807, 892, 897, 910, 911, 961
- Bowie Knife
- Top Tier Pattern Numbers: 34, 41, 87, 93, 105, 205, 256, 326, 341, 348, 403, 468, 520, 521, 527, 575, 576, 583, 601, 636, 648, 651, 668, 714, 742, 763, 807, 892, 897, 910, 911, 944, 961, 975
- Gut Knife
- Top Tier Pattern Numbers: 41, 87, 93, 326, 341, 403, 468, 520, 521, 575, 636, 651, 763, 897, 910, 911, 961
- Flip Knife
- Top Tier Pattern Numbers: 41, 87, 93, 205, 326, 341, 348, 403, 468, 520, 521, 527, 575, 601, 636, 651, 668, 714, 763, 807, 848, 897, 910, 911, 961
- Navaja Knife
- Top Tier Pattern Numbers: 41, 87, 93, 205, 326, 341, 348, 403, 468, 520, 527, 575, 583, 601, 636, 651, 742, 763, 807, 897, 910, 911, 961
- Kukri Knife
- Top TierPattern Numbers: 34, 41, 87, 93, 105, 205, 256, 326, 341, 348, 403, 468, 520, 521, 527, 575, 576, 583, 601, 636, 648, 651, 668, 714, 742, 763, 807, 892, 897, 910, 911, 944, 961, 975
- AWP
- Top Tier Pattern Numbers: 16 129 146 152 241 281 292 332 344 359 393 412 541 602 628 649 673 688 701 743 777 792 918 994
- Glock-18:
- Top Tier Pattern Numbers: 34 41 87 93 205 256 326 341 348 403 468 520 521 527 575 583 601 636 651 668 714 742 763 807 848 892 897 910 911 944 961
- Specialist Gloves
- Top Tier Pattern Numbers: 6 18 29 34 37 61 65 76 111 141 147 173 226 282 303 317 366 414 427 488 490 629 633 821 916 960 979
Marble Fade Patterns
Another rare and hugely popular pattern type is the Marble Fade series – which has a stunning combination of red, blue, and yellow colors that are beautifully set with a glossy, marble-looking finish. These knives are not only popular because of their rarity – but also because of their beauty.
- Main Pattern Types:
- Fire and Ice: the Fire and Ice patterns is the rarest Marble Fade pattern, – and with this one, the knife blade has the perfect balance of red and blue colors – representing the “fire” and the “ice.”
- Regular Marble: These ones come with all of the three different colors, that still create a stunning marble effect, but the distribution of the colors is a lot less distinct – making them slightly less valuable.
List of Marble Fade Patterns
- Karambit Marble Fade
- Tier 1 Pattern Numbers 412, 619, 794
- M9 Bayonet Marble Fade
- Tier 1 Pattern Numbers: 412, 794
- Butterfly Knife Marble Fade
- Tier 1 Pattern Numbers: 417, 719
Crimson Web Pattern
Crimson Web skins are always popular – adding a striking red and black web-like design to your weapon skin. These skins are rare… and highly valuable, thanks to their unique “web” pattern that varies in each drop – and specific patterns can be worth a lot!
The rarity… and the value can increase a lot if you get one with a web pattern right at the center – and/or if you get the skin in either a “factory new” or “minimal wear” condition. In particular, Crimson Web knife skins are always highly sought after by players and collectors.
Crimson Web Pattern Numbers
- Crimson Web – Perfect Web Centering
- Tier One Pattern Numbers: 387, 157, 449, 197, 380, 296, and 621.
Doppler Patterns
Next, we have the Doppler patterns which have become a collector’s favorite thanks to their gem-like colors – and they are split into four different phases, Phase 1 up to Phase 4 along with various other rare variants and each phase comes with diverse patterns and color distributions.
- Main Pattern Types:
- Ruby: This is a beautifully rare variant of Doppler and comes with a stunning red color.
- Sapphire: This is another top-tier Doppler skin and has a pure blue color.
- Emerald: The Emerald Doppler, as you’d imagine, is a gorgeous green color, that looks awesome on the Karambit.
- Black Pearl: We also have The Black Pearl, which is a dark and subtle pattern and has a few purplish highlights – and is also considered one of the rarer Doppler skins
List of Tier 1 Doppler Patterns
Ruby Patterns
- Karambit Doppler
- Ruby Pattern Numbers: 415, 817.
- M9 Bayonet Doppler
- Ruby Pattern Number: 416.
Sapphire Patterns
- Karambit Doppler:
- Sapphire Pattern Number 412
- M9 Bayonet Doppler:
- Sapphire Pattern Number 415
Black Pearl Pattern
- Karambit Doppler
- Black Pearl Pattern Number 413
- Flip Knife Doppler:
- Black Pearl Pattern Number 411.
Emerald Patterns
- Talon Knife Doppler
- Emerald Pattern Number: 418.
Dragon Lore Patterns
Dragon Lore is, without a doubt, one of the most iconic and valuable of all the CS2 skins, especially for those looking to decorate their AWP. The skin is incredible – with its skilled, delicate and intricate dragon design… but not all Dragon Lore patterns look exactly the same….
- Pattern Types:
- Centered Dragon: First, there is the centered dragon, which is definitely the most valuable and preferred of all the Dragon Lore pattern skins – and the dragon’s head is perfectly centered on the scope. Because of this, it’s worth a few dollars!
- Full Dragon: This pattern shows off the whole of the dragon on the rifle – and you can see every single detail in all its glory. The more visible the dragon is, the more it’s worth.
In terms of pattern numbers, unlike skin patterns like the Case Hardened and Doppler, it doesn’t come with lots of different pattern numbers – however, it is usually classified based on its conditions and wear… with Factory New skins being top tier!
Howl Patterns
This is a skin that is famous because of its rarity – with the M4A4 Howl being a favorite with skin collectors around the globe, not just because of its fierce Wolf design, but the fact that it is now discontinued. If you want to add it to your collection, you’ll need time, patience – and money!
Again, like the Dragon Lore, the value of the skin is based on the wear value – and there are no different pattern numbers. Want the most valuable? Then go for the Factory New version, which is worth big bucks!
Asiimov Patterns
These skins are not just rare but also popular… thanks to their eye-catching sci-fi, look… with a bright orange, white, and black design. You’ll find the pattern on various weapons – including the AWP, M4A4, and P90. There are also a couple of different pattern types to choose from…
- Pattern Types:
- Orange Dominant: These are the skins with the most orange on them – they look great and can be worth a lot.
- Full White Balance: Here, the balance between the colors is what has an impact on the value; those that have a clean white Asiimov, with minimal wear and a more symmetrical design, are the most valuable.
The Most Popular Asiimov Skins
- M4A4 | Asiimov
- P90 | Asiimov
- AWP | Asiimov
- P250 | Asiimov
AWP | PAW
The AWP | PAW skin is a cutesy, somewhat charming addition to CS2, with its quirky collage of cute animals. The skin has a really vibrant and cartoonish look that makes it really stand out… and if you’re a lover of the whimsical, it’s a top choice.
Although every different pattern has its own appeal, there are certain patterns that are really a big hit with players… and fans often look out for those with centered icons – like the pug or the golden grenade, that each gives the skin its own personal touch.
The Main Patterns
- Golden Cat Pattern
The Golden Cat pattern is the most valuable, with its perfectly centered golden cat icon – which is what makes it so desirable. There are only two pattern numbers that (41 and 350) are considered “perfectly centered” by the community, and these are the most exclusive and valuable of them all. - Stoner Cat Pattern
This is another sought-after variation – and it’s unique because it has a “stoned” looking cat sat in the central position. This one was created by the artist TheDanidem and its popular because it has such a quirky design… and a special alignment with Pattern Number 420— which was an intentional nod that adds an Easter egg for CS fans.
Top AWP | Paw Patterns:
- Golden Cat
- Tier One Pattern Numbers: 41, 350
- Stoner Cat:
- Tier One Pattern Numbers: 420, 415, 710, 788
- Gold Grenade Patterns:
- Tier One Pattern Numbers: 429, 926, 954
- Gas Mask Patterns
- Tier One Pattern Numbers: 29, 97, 685, 900
- Golden Cat W/Knife Patterns:
- Tier One Pattern Numbers: 212, 369, 628, 737,
MAC-10 | Last Dive
In our opinion, this is a very underrated skin – and it has a pattern that doesn’t always appear that clearly due to its variable positioning. In fact, only around 5% of Last Dive skin patterns actually showcase the design in a way that makes it really stand out – and these are the most costly of all.
MAC-10 | Last Dive List of Top Patterns
- Perfectly Centered Skull
- Pattern Number: 386
- Skull, Snake and Diver
- Pattern Number: 509
- Skull & Diver
- Pattern Number: 407
- The Wicked Tree:
- Pattern Number: 748
UMP-45 | Minotaur’s Labyrinth
Next up, we have this mythological-themed skin, which has a design based on the legendary Minotaur. And, as is the case with most skins, the rarest and most expensive patterns have the Minotaur placed as close to the center of the weapon as possible.
- Minotaur Pattern
- Top Tier Pattern Number 272.
Five-Seven | Kami
The Five-Seven | Kami pattern is a hugely popular and highly collectible skin that has gorgeous, manga-inspired artwork – and there are certain patterns that are prized above others because of their standout composition. The rarer patterns on the Kami are labelled as such because of the back of the gun – where there is art that comes in from both sides of the weapon – and converges into stunning arrangements.
The Top Kami Patterns
- The Masterpiece
- Top Tier Pattern Number: 909
- The Refined
- Top Tier Pattern Number: 590
- The Carpet
- Top Tier Pattern Number: 348
- The Elegant
- Top Tier Pattern Number: 662
- Herpes:
- Top Tier Pattern Number: 601
- V
- Top Tier Pattern Number: 836
- Monk or Walrus:
- Top Tier Pattern Number: 376
- Alien
- Top Tier Pattern Number: 411
Glock | Moonrise
This pattern has a horizontal-only movement – which means that, unlike many other patterns, these skins are randomly generated. The most valuable and highly coveted of all the different designs are those that have a prominent star on the slide stop, which you’ll find on approximately 44 out of the 1,000 possible Pattern Numbers. These patterns are rare… but the good news is that they are still relatively affordable compared to other rare skin patterns and a great choice for collectors after a bargain.
The Top Moonrise Pattern Numbers
- Star Patterns:
- The Rare Star Pattern Numbers: 19, 31, 38, 58, 59, 66, 90, 95, 102, 109, 121, 137, 142, 165, 194, 224, 237, 268, 281, 302, 355, 385, 403, 448, 475, 484, 487, 509, 601, 617, 628, 630, 667, 694, 706, 737, 744, 769, 800, 837, 864, 913, 958, 986.
Galil AR | Sandstorm
The Galil Sandstorm has a really nostalgic vibe and it comes in a few variations – with the most popular being the ones with the solid purple and solid white backgrounds. However, no matter what color you get it in, they’ll definitely give your gun an eye-catching look – especially when fully displayed in all their glory.
Top Patterns for Galil Sandstorm:
- Purple Background:
- Tier One Pattern Numbers: 583 and 761
- White Background:
- Tier One Pattern Numbers: 555 and 449
- Tan Patterns
- Tier One Pattern Numbers: 786, 783, 774
XM1014 | XOXO
The XM1014 XOXO pattern is filled with playful – rather childlike doodles. It’s one of the fun skins – and packed with the potential for lots of different, unique patterns. Collectors in the know tend to look for variations that have certain icons in the most prominent positions on the weapon, although a lot of it will be down to personal preference and taste.
Top XM1014 Patterns
- Skull Patterns:
- Tier One Pattern Numbers: 178, 320, 369, 579, 766,
- Mohawk Pattern:
- Tier One Pattern Numbers: 289, 737, 519, 475,
- XXX Pattern:
- Tier One Pattern Numbers: 394, 31, 511, 814, 684,
- Cyan Glyph Pattern
- Tier One Pattern Numbers: 242, 970, 398, 623, 755
- Pink Mesh Pattern:
- Tier One Pattern Numbers: 443, 372, 218, 16, 51,
- Smiley Pattern
- Black Smiley Tier One Pattern Numbers: 637, 110, 549, 498
- Pink Smiley Tier One Pattern Numbers: 643, 65, 326
- Burn It Down Pattern:
- Tier One Pattern Numbers: 320, 579, 369,
- Yeah Right
- Tier One Pattern Number: 775
- SA Signature Patterns
- Black Signature Tier One Pattern Numbers: 330, 826, 1, 204, 733
- Orange Signature Tier One Patterns: 626, 522,
- Berry Patterns
- Tier One Pattern Numbers: 66, 284, 671, 393, 606
- Smoothie Patterns
- Tier One Pattern Numbers: 681, 915, 330, 1, 873
- Live Your Life
- Tier One Pattern Numbers: 992, 764, 347, 94, 301
P2000 | Oceanic
If you want a really rare pattern – but with a bit of a playful and fun twist, then check out the P2000 | Oceanic … which comes with all different looks – and some with pretty ‘suggestive’ designs. These are basically for anyone who wants to add a touch of humor to their gun collection – and have become pretty iconic in the world of CS2.
- Top Tier Pattern Number: 857
Conclusion
So, there you have it – all the best rare patterns out there and their pattern numbers! If you are looking to add a bit of je ne sais quoi to your loadout, then these really are the skins to go for. What’s more, although many of them will command a high price because of their rarity and appeal, there are some bargains to be had, so keep an eye on the marketplace and see if you can make your weaponry stand out on the battlefield!