In CS2, each weapon skin not only has a unique design but also a condition of that design. This is called skin wear. Two designs that appear identical at first glance can look completely different upon closer inspection. One will shine like new, while the other will look worn and dull. The price difference between them can sometimes reach hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Understanding how wear works helps players avoid overpaying and selling items too cheaply. This article explores wear, how it affects the appearance of skins, and why some skin conditions are worth a fortune, while others are worth next to nothing.
Each skin has a unique float value. This determines wear. This number ranges from 0.00 to 1.00. Zero is perfect condition, without a single scratch. One is the most worn-out look, with extensive abrasions, peeling paint, and dirt.
The game developers divided the entire wear range into five groups. Each group has its own name, which is visible directly in the game. The five wear states are as follows:
This scale is called CS2 skin wear levels. It’s the same for all items in the game.
Wear affects three main things: brightness, clarity, and the number of scratches. On a Factory New item, the paint lies evenly. All lines of the design are sharp. Metal parts shine. The weapon looks as the artist intended. With even the slightest increase in wear, changes begin.
First, small abrasions appear on the corners and protruding parts, for example, on the barrel or slide. The design becomes slightly paler. As wear approaches 0.15, noticeable scratches become visible. Field-Tested is the most common condition. Here, the weapon looks as if it has clearly been used. The paint is worn off the grip and edges. The design loses contrast.
In Well-Worn, the image becomes dull and blurry. Many details are no longer discernible. Battle-Scarred is the ultimate in damage. The weapon looks as if it has been dragged across the pavement. The paint is peeling off in large chunks. The metal is covered with deep scratches and dark spots.
Interestingly, even two skins from the same Factory New category can look different. One will be clean, while the other will have noticeable scuffs. This is because the range of each condition is quite wide.
For example, Factory New includes all numbers from 0.00 to 0.07. An item with a value of 0.0001 is almost perfect, while an item with a value of 0.069 already has minor defects. The average player will only notice the difference through direct comparison. But experienced collectors discern these subtle differences and are willing to pay for cleanliness.
The difference is especially noticeable on light and brightly colored patterns. Scratches are less visible on darker items. Much also depends on the specific weapon model. On some rifles, wear appears on the barrel, on others on the stock. On pistols, scratches appear more quickly on the slide. Players who are knowledgeable in the subject memorize these characteristics for each popular model.
The item’s price is determined by three factors: the rarity of the pattern, the popularity of the weapon, and wear. Wear can change the price tenfold.
For example, an AK-47 | Inheritance. In Battle-Scarred condition, it might cost $37. In Factory New condition, it costs around $137. And if it’s a StatTrak-enabled skin, the price can be even higher. The price of an AK-47 | Inheritance with StatTrak support is $295.
The most valuable items are so-called low-float items. These are items with wear very close to zero, for example, 0.0001 or 0.0002. Therefore, collectors hunt for these items and pay two to three times the normal market price.
The opposite situation is very high wear, close to 1.00. Some items in extremely worn condition are worth more than those in medium-worn condition. This is because there are few of them and they have a special characteristic appearance.
Skin wear in CS2 isn’t just a label in your inventory. It’s a specific number between 0.00 and 1.00. It determines how many scratches a skin can have, how bright the pattern can be, and how much the skin costs. Before purchasing a skin, it’s worth looking not only at the wear category but also at the exact float value.
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