If you’re a follower of Counter-Strike, then you may have heard of pins. If you haven’t, they’re well worth knowing about.
Basically, CS2 pins are a collectable and tradable feature in the game – that can either be virtual or physical items, and they can represent various aspects of the game – its themes, maps, factions, and any of your accomplishments and achievements. These days, they aren’t just a great way for proud players to show off all of their in-game accomplishments and allegiances, but they’re a way that you can express your Counter-Strike identity within the ever-growing community.
In this guide to CS:GO pins, we’re going to look at everything you need to know about them – from all the different types of pins to how you can get hold of them and why they are so popular and valuable.
What Are CS Pins?
So, let’s take a look at what, exactly, they are. Well, CS pins are basically small icons that, as a player, you can display in your in-game profile – working in a similar way to a badge or a medal. They were first introduced way back in 2015 – and are available in both virtual and a physical form.
Valve has famously released lots of top collectable enamel pins at the different CS events – and each pin comes with its own corresponding digital version that you can display proudly in your CS inventory. These pins have been grouped together into different series – each with its own unique design – and all of them are a great addition to your collection.
The Different Types of CS Pins
There are two main types of Counter-Strike pins:
Physical Pins: These are the enamel pins that are actually sold in solid form in real life, normally to those who go and watch a major CS tournament, or they can be bought at an online marketplace. Every physical pin comes with a special code that lets you redeem it for a virtual version that you can then display in the game.
Virtual Pins: Then, there are the virtual pins that can only be used in the game, and you can showcase them in your inventory. You can earn them by redeeming the above-mentioned codes that you get with a physical pin or by buying one from a virtual pin capsule from the CS store.
The Series of CS Pins
Valve releases CS pins in different series, and each one has been designed to represent the different themes or elements of the game. So, with that being said, let’s take a look at some of the most famous series pins you might come across:
Series 1 Pins:
These were first introduced in 2015 and were the very first set of pins out there, coming with lots of different designs that are all related to the most iconic maps, factions, and general CS
themes.
Some of the most popular pins in the series include the Guardian, Tactics, and Phoenix pins – and because they were the first ones on the block, not only are they considered rare, but they are iconic… and hugely sought after by collectors.
Series 2 Pins
Then, the following year, Valve released its Series 2 selection of pins, which expanded on the success of the first series. They came with brand new map-related designs as well as some of the more unique items like the Victory and Mirage pins. They may be slightly more common than Series 1, but they’re still very collectable.
Series 3 Pins
Then came Series 3, which came with designs that were even more niche and specific to certain maps and factions of the game – and although they’re slightly more accessible than Series 1 and 2, they are still great to add to your collection.
Major Event Pins
Every now and then, Valve will release a pin that has been designed specifically for a major tournament. These special pins have been created to commemorate the tournament and they’re usually exclusive to that event , which makes them limited edition items. They are now a massive part of the CS pin collecting scene because they aren’t as readily available.
Other Event Pins
As well as the Majors, there are various other special events, like conventions or Valve’s merchandise stores, that offer their own exclusive CS pins. These can come with all sorts of different designs, possibly with existing concepts… but often with concepts that are totally unique to the event.
How to Get a CS Pin
Given the two different formats in which they’re available, there are two main ways for you to get your hands on CS pins: either buying them as a physical item or buying them virtually in-game.
Physical Pins
You’ll usually find physical pins sold at most CS Major tournaments and Valve-sponsored events. As we mentioned, when you do buy an actual physical pin, you can then use the corresponding code to get it online as well.
However, these days, it’s getting more and more difficult to find these pins at tournaments because there’s quite a limited stock… but you can often still find them at an online marketplace. However, this can be a case of buyer beware – as counterfeit pins and codes are not uncommon – so make sure that you’re buying it from a reputable source, especially if you’ve not done it before.
Virtual Pins
If you don’t want to walk around with a physical pin on your lapels… or wherever you might want to put them – but you still want the in-game version, then you can get them from their source… virtual pin capsules straight from the CS store.
However, you might not get what you want, as these capsules contain random pins, so you won’t know what pin you’re actually going to get until you open the capsule. This adds a bit of randomness (and collectability) to the proceedings, making pins even more interesting to collect.
The Most Popular CS Pins and What They Mean
Not sure what to go for? Then, let’s take a look at some of the most popular pins and what they actually mean or represent:
Guardian Pin
This, as the name suggests, represents the Guardian mode in CS:GO – which shows off a more tactical, cooperative side of the game. If you’re someone who focuses on your team – and loves a bit of team coordination, this could be for you.
Phoenix Pin:
This one comes with a Phoenix Connexion logo – which is a very famous faction in CS’s lore. It’s a hugely popular choice due to the faction’s presence across all different maps and missions.
Dust II Pin
Then we have the iconic Dust II pin – which was inspired by the iconic Dust II map. Just as the map is a fan favorite, so is this pin… thanks to its links with one of the most recognizable maps, not just in CS, but in gaming as a whole.
Inferno Pin
This is the pin that represents the Inferno map, another of the most popular maps in the game. This pin is perfect for if you’re someone who has a special affinity for this classic map.
Victory Pin:
This pin was first introduced back with Series 2 and has been designed for players who want to show off their accomplishments. So, if you’re a player with a winning mentality – and want to show it off to the world, it’s well worth getting.
Mirage Pin:
This one, based on the renowned Mirage map, is a hugely popular choice with the game’s most competitive players as it represents skill on and knowledge of one of the game’s toughest maps.
Collecting and Trading Counter-Strike Pins
If you’re thinking of getting into collecting CS pins, then it can get pretty exciting, especially if you’re someone who’s passionate about the game – and its culture and history. There are some players who try to collect every pin in every series, while there are others who just prefer to focus on specific pins that have a more personal meaning, like a particular map-based pin or maybe a faction-related design. If you are a collector, no matter what type you are… then here are some ways you can make your pin collection the envy of the CS community:
- Buy Them Directly at an Event or Valve Merchandise Stores: By getting your pins at an event, you can be assured of their authenticity – so it’s a great way to add to your collection without having to worry about fakes and counterfeits.
- Online Marketplaces: You’ll find some of the rarer pins on sites such as eBay or various other CS trading forums or CS2 Trading Sites. However, before parting with your money, make sure you verify the authenticity of the seller, and it’s a good idea to ask for detailed photos or actual, verifiable proof of the code’s validity.
- Trading Within the CS2 Community: There’s also the option to trade pins in the same way that you would with weapon skins or other CS items. Platforms like Reddit and Steam are always popular places to discuss trades or buy and sell pins.
Virtual Pins vs. Physical Pins
The main difference between virtual and physical pins isn’t the obvious – it’s actually the appeal they have for collectors. There are some players who like to actually hold and feel their Counter-Strike pins, while there are plenty of others who are more than happy to just see the virtual version of the pin sitting pretty in their inventory. Physical pins usually have a more sentimental value and can often even hold (or sometimes even increase) their value over time, especially if they’re limited-edition event pins.
Virtual pins, on the other hand, are a lot more accessible, and you can display them as part of your CS profile. If you are someone who likes to show off your achievements in-game but you’re not necessarily interested in physical collecting, then these are perfect.
Top Tips for CS Pin Collectors
If you are thinking of starting up a CS:GO pin collection, then here are some top tips:
- Start with Capsule Pins: You’ll find that virtual capsules are more affordable and can be a great starting point for your collection.
- Set Yourself a Budget: Don’t go crazy! Limited-edition pins or Series 1 physical pins can be bank breakers. So, decide how much you’re willing to invest in your collection – and don’t go over, no matter how tempted you are.
- Focus on Themes or Series: Lots of collectors prefer to complete an entire series or only collect pins that have specific themes – like map-based pins.
- Check Its Authenticity: If you’re buying a physical pin, make sure you confirm the code’s authenticity so that you don’t end up with a fake.
Why We Love CS:GO Pins
CS pins are an awesome way to get even more involved with the game outside the standard gameplay. Lots of players see pins as a fun way to show off all their experience or tell the world what their favorite maps are. What’s more, they can be pretty decent conversation starters – as they give you a way to wear your gaming history in a physical form. They have a real sense of exclusivity and nostalgia… and you can wear them with a sense of pride.
As CS2 gets ever more popular, it may well be that CS Pins make that jump over – and we could see Valve starting to release new pins that are all about this next exciting chapter in the gaming franchise. What’s more, to reflect the massive leap in quality from CS:GO to CS2, it’s likely that these updated pins will look even better, no matter what format you buy them in.
Conclusion
So, there you have it – everything you need to know about Counter-Strike Pins. Whether you are after an actual physical pin, an online pin… or both, there are all sorts of ways to get them. And, like CS Skins, it doesn’t matter what budget you have, as there’s something for everyone.
Obviously, be careful when buying them… make sure you don’t overspend, and if you’re not getting them from an official source, then do your checks, be vigilant and stay safe. Happy collecting!