While Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) is a game that comes with some of the cleanest gunplay and sharpest visuals in the world of competitive FPS, realistically, bot everything about it is perfect… and there are some things that stand out, but for all the wrong reasons.
There are some seriously beautifully designed weapon skins – but we can’t deny that there have been a few that miss the mark, and so spectacularly that they’ve actually become famous in the community for their unfortunate looks.
From ridiculously outdated aesthetics to downright weird (and definitely not wonderful) ideas, here, we’re going to take at some of the ugliest, least desirable, and most well… baffling skins in CS2 history.
1. SSG 08 | Detour
Let’s start our list with the SSG 08 | Detour – which is a complete train-wreck of a skin, literally and stylistically. Ironically, this one was released as part of the Train Collection, and it comes with hazard stripes and a ridiculously dull industrial colour scheme that doesn’t make the skin pop in any way, shape or form.
But what makes it even worse is how muddy it actually looks in the game. The design was intended to mimic traffic signs and rail tracks, but it looks more like a school project done in Microsoft Paint (and by someone with limited artistic flair as well). It’s a whole world away from the cleaner SSG options like the Dragonfire or Bloodshot.
Why it’s hated: Well, there are so many reasons, it’s hard to list them all. However, in general, the Detour feels like it belongs all the way back in CS 1.6 (and that’s being kind) rather than CS2, as it has absolutely none of the visual polish that we all love about the best modern skins.
2. M249 | Warbird
This one is a double whammy… the M249 doesn’t get much love as a weapon, and the Warbird skin certainly takes something bad and makes it even worse. With its dusty green and copper palette with the random pseudo-military markings, it feels less like a stylised killing machine and more like a half-sanded model kit.
And it’s a shame, because the whole concept of vintage aircraft could have been brilliant… its execution is left wanting – blocky and lifeless. It has zero punch, no style, and it looks like just a mess of triangles and dirt.
Why it’s hated: This is where a clunky design meets a clunky weapon – and that’s a lot of clunk. Players aren’t going to want the M249 – and they certainly won’t want to decorate it with Warbird.
3. FAMAS | Mecha Industries (Battle-Scarred)
OK, in fairness, The FAMAS | Mecha Industries is actually a pretty decent skin, as long as you get it in Factory New. But that’s it… It’s all downhill from there. As soon as it hits the Battle-Scarred or Well-Worn range, this futuristic skin looks more like a horror show – and not in any positive way.
It has a clean white chassis that turns into a sickly yellowish-grey colour that makes it look like someone’s dipped it in sewage water. Then, there’s the intricate linework that starts looking all smudged and muddy – and completely loses any sense of high-tech cool. This is a classic case of wear and tear ruining a design that is all about detail and precision.
Why it’s hated: This one goes from a sleek robot to something more resembling a rusty toaster with just a few scratches.
4. Negev | Terrain
The Negev is a weapon that already struggles with relevance… and the Terrain skin only serves to make it even worse. Originally, released in the Bank Collection, this is a swampy, chartreuse mess of abstract lines and dull green overlays.
There’s absolutely zero cohesion in the visual identity of the Terrain, and it looks neither tactical nor artistic, and it looks like a dodgy mix of abstract minimalism and a ’90s screen-saver.
Why it’s hated: To us, this is the design equivalent of unpleasant background noise—it’s uninspired, instantly forgettable – and irritating.
5. USP-S | Flashback
We all hate an unfunny comedian… It’s cringey. And this is the CS2 skin equivalent. The USP-S | Flashback tries to be funny. It really does … with the word “SHHH!” written in green crayon, a peace sign, and all sorts of different pseudo-hippie references.
But the joke wears thin – and fast.
Unlike novelty skins like P90 | Grim, which are outlandish but with style, the Flashback just feels childish and ridiculous. It looks more “high school notebook doodle” than an ironic statement.
Why it’s hated: This is way too try hard – and ends up being a die hard… failing to appeal to either meme-lovers or collectors… or anyone really.
6. AK-47 | Safari Mesh
This is one of the most infamous skins in the CS series – and has long been considered the poster child for mediocrity. This is a sand-colored AK-47 that has a barely visible mesh overlay—a bit like military surplus meets default beige wallpaper.
Players literally swerve this skin not because it’s ugly, but because it’s so ridiculously boring – and indifference is even worse than hate. There’s nothing to love about it, nothing to hate about it, it’s just completely forgettable – and it looks like they didn’t even bother to finish it.
Why it’s hated: If the default skin had a boring cousin, this would be it, which is why it’s often used in memes as the worst thing you could ever unbox.
7. Five-SeveN | Scumbria
Have you ever wanted to make a gun look like a cheap fish can? Well, you can if you want to, with a little bit of help from the Five-SeveN | Scumbria.
This skin has pretty unattractive, grimy green tones, a few odd splotches, and what looks like it might be a leftover texture file from a (very bad) horror game. It has a gritty “punk” aesthetic that might actually not look too bad on a jacket or skateboard, but on a pistol? It looks confusing and very unpleasant.
Why it’s hated: This manages to be gritty without being stylish…. And ends up just looking a bit gross.
8. Glock-18 | Bunsen Burner
Next on our list, we have the Glock-18 | Bunsen Burner, which looks like it came straight out of a high school chemistry lab – and no, that’s not good. Neon blue gradients over a charred black base might sound cool on paper, but the way in which it’s been executed here makes it look more like an old vape mod than a deadly sidearm.
In a world where there are clean designs like Glock-18 | Fade or artistic entries like Moonrise exist, the Bunsen Burner just looks a bit like an awkward experiment gone wrong.
Why it’s hated: It doesn’t really commit to any solid theme – just looks like a gradient slapped onto a gun.
9. AWP | Phobos
In ninth spot, we have the AWP | Phobos, which comes from the Gamma Collection – and there are some out there who don’t mind it, it’s generally seen as one of the weaker AWP skins overall.
It has dull green tones, an industrial design, and no real contrast that makes it look and feel a bit cheap and unremarkable when in a game. If you’re looking at a lineup – where the AWP comes with iconic skins like Dragon Lore and Asiimov, the Phobos looks like like ot comes from a cheap knock-off shop.
Why it’s hated: This one’s way too plain and boring for an AWP – a weapon that’s all about style and flair.
10. P2000 | Urban Hazard
Finishing our top ten list of rubbish skins, we have the P2000 | Hazard – which might have a cool and aggressive name, but that all adds to the disappointment as it has absolutely none of the flair you’d expect. The orange-on-black design feels a bit generic and uninspired… almost as if someone just tried to copy a good skin and ran out of inspiration… and budget halfway through.
And, let’s face it, why would anyone want this skin when the P2000 comes with options like Fire Elemental – or even the much cheaper Pulse, both of which have a lot more personality.
Why it’s hated: Basically, this feels like it was designed by someone who didn’t care and lost their mojo midway through.
Honourable Mentions: Skins So Bad They’re Good
Let’s take a look at some that are so bad, they’re actually pretty awesome!
- Nova | Candy Apple (Factory New only): This one looks like a toy gun—which means that there are some players that love it ironically. While others hate it unironically.
- Tec-9 | Ossified: This has a weird bone texture that makes your gun look a bit like a fossil. It’s quite odd – but that makes it memorable.
- CZ75-Auto | Tuxedo: It’s a skin that looks like it’s trying to be formal, but, for some reason, ends up looking like nothing at all.
An Assortment of Ugliness
CS2’s worst skins aren’t just bad—they’re weird and can even be a bit confusing. Some completely miss the mark on concept, while there are others that are just executed terribly… and some just don’t wear well. Over time, it’s likely that some will fade into obscurity – and others will live on in memes and unbox nightmares forever.
However, one thing’s for sure: if you do ever happen to unbox a Safari Mesh or equip a Warbird – and use it… You’ll definitely raise some eyebrows – and not for a good reason!