In Counter-Strike, customized weapon finishes are a mainstay of the gameplay, with some being more unique than others. When talking about knife skins, amongst the most coveted and iconic of the bunch are the Gamma Doppler weapon finishes available on just nine different knives. The Gamma Doppler finishes stand out for their mesmerizing blend of color gradients and dynamic appearances. At its base level, these are already some of the most expensive pieces of virtual cosmetics money can buy, so what more when the true best of the best are put up for sale?
What Exactly Is Gamma Doppler?
The phrase “Gamma Doppler” alludes to a number of highly sought-after Counter-Strike finishes. These finishes, which fall into the “Covert” category (the rarest tier), have a distinctive visual appearance that is similar to the Doppler effect, a real-world phenomenon in which relative motion causes light waves to vary in frequency.
Gamma Dopplers have bright, nearly holographic color shifts throughout the weapon’s surface, in contrast to traditional camo or wear patterns. Players that value the aesthetic appeal of their digital arsenal particularly like these finishes because of their dynamic quality.
Not to be confused with the original Doppler series of skins, which features a predominantly dark blue, red and purple colorway, Gamma Dopplers are predominantly green on certain phases. They were first introduced in CS:GO during the June 15, 2016 update which introduced the Gamma Case for the first time. In 2018, the Gamma 2 Case was dropped and brought about a number of new knives that received the Gamma Doppler finish.
CSGO Gamma Doppler Phases Explained
There are five different variations to a Gamma Doppler skin’s look and pattern, which are referred to as phases. Each phase has a distinct color scheme, which makes them easily identifiable for the trained eye.
Gamma Doppler Phase 1 – Around 80% Indigo/Black, 20% Green
The Gamma Doppler Phase 1 is one of the darker variants of the skin, featuring a predominantly black or indigo color on the knife’s blade with only small chunks of green either scattered around or stuck in one place, usually near the edges of the blade. This combination creates a captivating, almost mysterious, aura on the weapon. While not the most flamboyant of the phases, Phase 1 patterns still hold value for collectors who appreciate a subtler elegance.
Since the Gamma Doppler Phase 1 has the lowest amount of green shown on the knife itself, the prices for this specific variation tend to stay around the market price with little to no allowance in terms of overpaying, except if the float value is incredibly rare in itself. The best patterns that will give the most even spread of green and indigo or black on the knife are the patterns #8, #21, #29, #32, #46, #58, #68, #80, and #129.
Gamma Doppler Phase 2 – Around 80% Green, 20% Indigo/Black
Phase 2 is the complete opposite of Phase 1 and, due to its abundance of the color green, is a more preferred Phase by collectors and skin enthusiasts when looking for a Gamma Doppler knife. It is also considered as a pseudo-Emerald phase since it closely resembles the full green Gamma Doppler finish with only minor touches of indigo and black. The prices for this specific phase are also just around the market price, however some patterns fetch a little bit of overpay due to their popularity and demand, especially from people that do not feel like putting down such a large amount of money for the Emerald version. The best patterns that will give the most even spread of green and indigo or black on the knife are the patterns #1, #9, #13, #15, #19, and #23.
Gamma Doppler Phase 3 – Around 40% Green, 30% Indigo/Black, 30% Light Blue
Phase 3 is among the most popular choices for a Gamma Doppler skin – and for very good reason. A knife in Gamma Doppler Phase 3 will have an even, clean spread of bright colors with hints of darker hues in indigo and black. It is one of the most sought-after variants due to its relatively cheap price when compared to other Gamma Doppler Phases and the value one gets compared to skins in the same price range. The Gamma Doppler Phase 3 is usually cheaper than Phase 2 and is commonly sold at market value or just slightly below. The best patterns that will give the most even spread of green and indigo or black on the knife are the patterns #6, #17, #18, #19, #30, #31, #32, #35, #37, #43, #64, $65, #67, and #85.
Gamma Doppler Phase 4 – Around 33% Green, 33% Indigo/Black, 33% Light Green With Hints of Blue
The Gamma Doppler Phase 4 is the most colorful one of the bunch and one of the most intriguing. It manages to effortlessly combine three different colors and create a clean looking blade that many collectors search for. Though the understood “holy grail” for any Gamma Doppler skin is one that is predominantly green, the blue accents are still a unique aspect of Phase 4 and one that certain members of the skin community have come to appreciate. The price point for this variation is also just around the market value. The best patterns that will give the most even spread of green and indigo or black on the knife are the patterns #10, #11, #14, #15, #18, #25, #29, #33, and #48.
Gamma Doppler Emerald – Pure Green
The undisputed best Gamma Doppler finish money can buy, the Emerald is the fifth and final phase in this collection and the most sought-after one. Given that it is almost purely a shining green finish that, especially now in the age of Counter-Strike 2, has no problems in showing its flashiness when in well-lit areas, the Emerald is the most valuable Gamma Doppler in existence. Only around 10% of all Gamma Dopplers in CS are Emeralds, making their rarity another factor in their market value.