One aspect that sets Counter-Strike apart from other esports titles is the potential for in-game items to increase or decrease in value. Thanks to the Steam Marketplace, unlike in games like Valorant, purchasing skins is not limited to a single transaction. Instead, you have the opportunity to sell them at a later time for a more excellent value.
Given this circumstance, numerous players frequently inquire: “What is the value of my CS2 inventory?”In this guide, we will demonstrate the process of calculating the worth of your CS2 inventory. This will enable you to ascertain the cost of the CS2 skins you currently possess, both in the present and potentially in the future.
Evaluating the Inventory of CS2
Prior to obtaining a CS2 inventory assessment, it is crucial to identify the items within your CS2 inventory that possess significant worth. Particular objects, like Service Medals, lack any worth since they cannot be traded. On the other hand, it's essential to consider additional loadout items like weapon skins, agent skins, music kits, and stickers when determining the overall value of your CS2 skins and inventory.
The Worth of Skins and Other Items in CS2
First, let's explore the reasons behind the distinctiveness of Counter-Strike skins. In various other games like Fortnite, Valorant, Call of Duty, or Overwatch, skins are usually associated with Battlepasses or are made available as part of exclusive, limited-time bundles.
Nevertheless, in Counter-Strike, skins are introduced through cases, which can subsequently be unlocked with a variable probability of acquiring one of the items contained within the chosen case. From that standpoint, two elements impact the market worth of the CS2 skins you are unboxing.
First Factor: Wear and Tear
Wear occurs when the skin becomes detached from its case. It is highly probable that new skins will be in pristine condition, free from any damage. On the other hand, Battle-Scarred and Well-Worn skins will exhibit signs of wear and tear, with the design being visibly scraped off. Here are the different types of skin wear:
- Factory New (FN)
- Minimal Wear (MW)
- Field-Tested (FT)
- Well-Worn (WW)
- Battle-Scarred (BS)
It is essential to mention that certain skins, like the AWP Asiimov, may have a higher value if they have Well-Worn or Battle-Scarred wear. It's because individuals have a preference for alterations to these skins, including the addition of a black scope on the Asiimov.
Another Consideration Is the Grade
The quality of weapons determines the initial rarity of the skin when opening a case. A typical skin found in a case is the consumer-grade skin, whereas the rarest skins are the Covert skins. Here are the different skin grades:
- Consumer Grade
- Industrial Grade
- Mil-Spec
- Restricted
- Classified
- Covert
It is crucial to consider three additional factors that can contribute to the higher cost of skins: decals, StatTrak, and condition. Uncommon decals, like vintage Major decals, have the potential to enhance the value of firearms. In contrast, firearms equipped with StatTrak features tend to command higher prices compared to their standard versions. Lastly, we have the skin's float, which represents the wear level of the skin in its specific category. Rest assured, you have no reason to be concerned about float, unless you happen to possess a Blue Gem case-hardened knife.
What Is the Value of Your CS2 Inventory?
Now that you are aware of the items in your inventory that possess worth, we can discuss the process of determining the value of your CS2 inventory. There are various methods to accomplish this task, although the majority do require making your Steam inventory visible to others. There is no problem with this, although some individuals may choose not to. We can't really fault them, either; receiving incessant trade offers from automated programs can be pretty bothersome!
Choice One: Exclusive Inventory Approach
One way to examine the costs of items in your CS2 inventory is to observe the prices of the items on Steam dirSteam.
To accomplish this, launch Steam and locate your inventory in your profile. Next, choose CS2, and you'll have access to all the items in your CS2 Steam inventory. This approach, while it does yield results, can unfortunately be quite sluggish, especially when dealing with a large number of inventory items. This can make the process quite tedious and exhausting.
Another drawback of this specific CS2 inventory cost calculation is that it only compares the value to the least expensive comparable skin on the Steam Market at that moment. As a result, you may not obtain the accurate value of your skin when using this approach.
Alternative Choice: Applications Developed by External Sources
If you are okay with your inventory being visible to others, then one of the most reliable methods to calculate the cost of your CS2 inventory is by using a third-party website. There is a website called Steam. Tools that provide a method to determine the worth of your CS2 skins. By following a few straightforward instructions, you can easily find out their value.
- Input your SteamID into the search field.
- Select the CS icon
- Click on fetch.
From this point, you can quickly assess the worth of your CS inventory without the need to click on each item separately in your profile. Nevertheless, similar to the first option, this approach will compare the value of each item with the Steam Market, making it less feasible.
CS2 Stash is an excellent alternative website to consider. CS2 Stash, previously recognized as CSGO Stash, has served as a reliable companion for Counter-Strike enthusiasts over the years. If you want to accurately assess the worth of a specific skin in your inventory, CS2 Stash is the ideal tool. While it may provide a partial evaluation of all your skins, it excels at valuing individual ones.
Choice Three: Alternative Marketplaces
While the Steam Market may be convenient, true skin enthusiasts opt for alternative platforms. It can be pretty challenging to determine the actual worth of your rare CS2 skins using the Steam Market, as it needs to take into account factors such as float or stickers.
On the other hand, CS2 skin traders opt for platforms such as CS.MONEY, since traders on these sites are specifically interested in items with specific stickers or floats. Thus, it is advisable to utilize platforms such as these if you are looking to purchase or sell skins that may not retain their accurate worth on the Steam Market.
Are CS2 Skins a Worthwhile Investment?
Indeed, and also not. Similar to any investment, consider purchasing CS2 skins only if you have the financial means to do so. The worth of CS2 skins is constantly changing, so what appears to be a wise investment could turn out to be a poor choice within a month.
If you're interested in making an investment, cases, and stickers could be a viable option. Sticker designs from previous times, like Robin "ropz" Kool's, have gained more worth as time has passed. Similarly, cases also become more valuable once they are no longer part of the in-game drop rotation.
Also, keep in mind this guide when you choose to assess the value of your CS2 skin investment.