The AWP is one of the most iconic weapons in Counter-Strike, and requires an ample amount of skill to wield. This very weapon was used to create some of the greatest highlight reels in the game’s history. If you want to make sick plays and make your own fragmovie, it’s important to do it in style. Here are the ten best CSGO AWP skins that will make you the coolest kid in the block.
AWP | Gungnir
We think the most aesthetically pleasing AWP skin has to be the AWP | Gungnir. Released in 2019, the Gungnir quickly became one of the most expensive AWP skins in the game, and there are apparent reasons for it.
This skin is inspired by Odin, the Greek god of war and death. Odin’s spear is traveling down the custom-painted AWP skin, which has been custom-painted with pearlescent blue and ivory colors.
- Flavor Text: “A weapon for the Allfather”
- Release Date: November 19, 2019
- Price Range: $8,190 – $11,800
- Collection: The Norse Collection
One of the greatest AWPers in the world, ZywOo, started using this AWP skin to play in S-Tier tournaments. He helped increase the awareness of this skin and is also responsible for increasing the price of this bad boy.
AWP | Desert Hydra
The AWP | Desert Hydra is a personal favorite and will be snuck in at second place. It has a flashy yet exciting design concept. Golden snakes are slowly creeping towards the barrel of the AWP skin. The scope, barrel, and buttstock have been painted in gorgeous white color.
Overall, the Desert Hydra offers a very eye-catching design. Even though the desert does not always relate to extravagance or lavishness, the AWP | Desert Hydra makes a valid exception.
- Flavor Text: “Cutting off one head means two more appear—is that a risk you’re willing to take? – Valeria Jenner, Revolutionary”
- Release Date: September 22, 2021
- Price Range: $1,650 – $2,500
- Collection: The 2021 Mirage Collection
This skin comes from the 2021 Mirage Collection, meaning you can only obtain it from drops or opening souvenir packages. If you have thousands to spend, getting a souvenir version of the skin can be a great idea, especially if you can get the sticker signature of a prominent AWPer.
AWP | Dragon Lore
It wouldn’t be a proper “Best CSGO AWP Skins list” if we didn’t include the most well-known AWP skin, the AWP | Dragon Lore. The Covert sniper rifle of the Cobblestone Collection is one of the most expensive skins in the entire game.
This skin has been custom-painted with knotwork patterns and a fierce dragon image, creating the primary concept of the skin. The AWP | Dragon Lore is nothing short of a majestic skin.
- Flavor Text: “200 keys could never unlock its secrets”
- Release Date: July 1, 2014
- Price Range: $4,000 – $50,000+
- Collection: The Cobblestone Collection
Despite being almost a decade old, the prices of AWP | Dragon Lores have not dropped significantly, and a souvenir version of this skin is still going to cost you a fortune. However, its popularity has taken a hit as more budget-friendly options have been released throughout the years.
AWP | Medusa
Another AWP skin that is inspired by Greek mythology is the AWP | Medusa, coming from the Gods and Monsters Collection. The Gods and Monsters Collection is notoriously known as one of the most expensive groups of skins ever released, and the Medusa is the best skin you can get.
This AWP skin has been custom-painted with the image of the gorgon Medusa. Though Medusa is generally known to have a hideous appearance, the creators of the skin did a great job of making her look stunning.
- Flavor Text: “If you can see me, you’re already dead”
- Release Date: May 26, 2015
- Price Range: $1,950 – $5,100
- Collection: The Gods and Monsters Collection
The AWP | Medusa doesn’t feature the most attention-seeking color scheme, but a careful glance at the skin will make anyone appreciate the complex and careful.
AWP | Oni Taiji
Let’s stray away from Greek culture and leap to Japan’s with the AWP | Oni Taiji. If you’re looking for a vibrant and well-designed skin at a somewhat affordable price (compared to the AWP skins above), then this is the skin you’re looking for.
The Oni Taiji skin features a hand painting of a colorful samurai with his katana, fighting an Oni, which translates to a demon. The demon is blazing, and its fire accents reach all the way to the butt stock of the skin. The scope and barrel are painted with an appetizing purple color.
- Flavor Text: “Face your demons”
- Release Date: May 24, 2017
- Price Range: $230 – $1,200
- Collection: The Operation Hydra Collection
Overall, the Oni Taiji features an attention-grabbing design with its colorful concept and is arguably one of the most underrated AWP skins in the game.
AWP | Asiimov
You are living under a rock if you’ve never heard or seen the AWP | Asiimov in Counter-Strike. It is one of the most original skins in the game, and remains incredibly prevalent for its futuristic and sci-fi design.
Most players enjoy the AWP | Asiimov as it is one of the few white-themed skins in the game, giving it a high-tech look. The orange hues are also a really nice touch, giving it a brighter and more sophisticated look.
- Flavor Text: “Anyone can predict the future… a visionary shapes it”
- Release Date: February 20, 2014
- Price Range: $70 – $228
- Collection: The Phoenix Collection
Unfortunately, most players have already moved on from their AWP | Asiimov phase, as the skin has been around for over ten years. Still, it is an excellent choice for an AWP skin, especially if you want to lighten it up.
AWP | Containment Breach
The AWP | Containment Breach is another relatively underrated skin that deserves more love from the community. It has an eerie design but is a very well-made weapon skin.
The Containment Breach has been custom painted to depict mutated rats that are trying to escape from a radioactive forest. Hence, you can see neon green water that appears to be intoxicated rivers.
- Flavor Text: “Who knows what radioactive diseases they carry…”
- Release Date: November 19, 2019
- Price Range: $38 – $385
- Collection: The Shattered Web Collection
It is easily one of the best green-colored weapon skins in all of Counter-Strike, and a perfect choice if you are looking to build a green loadout. Additionally, this skin won’t break the bank like the other choices on the list would.
AWP | Lightning Strike
The AWP | Lightning Strike is another OG skin. It was released in the first few batches of cases, being dropped in 2013 as a part of the first CS:GO Weapon Case. With each weapon case costing over $90, it’s no surprise that the Covert skin, the AWP | Lightning Strike, can only be obtained by paying a premium.
This AWP skin follows a relatively straightforward concept. As the name hints, it has been painted with a lightning strike motif using anodizing paints over a metallic base coat. The rest of the skin is colored purple.
- Flavor Text: “Sometimes you don’t need to strike the same place twice”
- Release Date: August 14, 2013
- Price Range: $544 – $880
- Collection: The Arms Deal Collection
The Lightning Strike uses a very uncomplicated yet striking design. It’s a great choice of AWP skin for players who want something simple and minimalistic.
AWP | Hyper Beast
If you want complex designs that have a lot going on, then the AWP | Hyper Beast might be what you’re thinking of. The Hyper Beast family is known for its chaotic concepts, and have even been applied to mousepads.
The AWP | Hyper Beast has been custom-painted with a beastly creature in psychedelic colors, mainly red and pink. The coolest part about this skin is the beast will not wear down depending on the skin’s condition, meaning you can already be satisfied with a Field-Tested version.
- Flavor Text: “You really want to impress me Booth? Make this black light sensitive – Rona Sabri, Rising Star”
- Release Date: May 26, 2015
- Price Range: $17 – $266
- Collection: The Falchion Collection
Overall, the Hyper Beast is always a safe choice, as it is liked by many in the community. Additionally, it is more affordable than most of the CSGO AWP skins on the list.
AWP | Wildfire
Last but not least, we have the AWP | Wildfire from the CS20 Collection. The skin’s design resembles the Operation Wildfire logo, even though it wasn’t released in the same update. The logo has been painted over a black and red base.
The Wildfire is one of the few red-themed CSGO AWP skins and is easily the best in this category. The design isn’t too complex but is enough to grab the attention of others.
- Flavor Text: “The nail that sticks out gets the hammer”
- Release Date: October 19, 2019
- Price Range: $37 – $335
- Collection: The CS20 Collection
Similar to the Hyper Beast, the AWP | Wildfire won’t leave you eating sardines and cup noodles for the rest of the month. You can get a Minimal Wear version of the skin for $100.