CS2 Skins that Cause Envy Every Time
When you inspect another player's weapon in a Counter-Strike:2 match, some skins simply stand out from the rest. They catch your eye and make you instantly jealous knowing you'll likely never own such a rare and expensive skin. While novelty or meme skins have their place, true rare skins command respect and demand attention every time you or another player inspects them. In this article, we'll look at some of the most elite skins in CS2 that are certain to cause envy whenever they pop up in someone else's inventory.
Dragon Lore AWP
Arguably the single rarest and most expensive skin in all of CS2, the Dragon Lore AWP skin tops many players' wish lists. With its vivid orange and blue dragon design wrapping around the sniper rifle, it truly stands out from any other AWP skin. Only available in Souvenir and Covert quality drops, unboxing a Dragon Lore from a csgo case opening site https://bloodycase.com/case-battle or in-game is a one in many thousands chance. Fewer than a dozen exist in the world in the ultra-rare Souvenir factory new condition. The average Dragon Lore costs thousands of dollars on the Community Market, making this the true "whale" skin that demands respect every time you inspect someone wielding one in a match. Even battle-scared versions sell for hundreds, showing just how coveted this skin is.
Howl M4A4
Another ultra-rare skin formerly exclusively available in Covert drops is the Howl M4A4. Featuring a haunting wolf's head design on the rifle, this skin perfectly encapsulates the in-game memory of hitting crisp headshots. Even more scarce than the Dragon Lore, only a handful exist in the best factory new condition. Like the AWP skin, Howls sell for thousands and routinely top trading and sale charts. Even well-worn battle-scarred variants sell for more than most players could imagine spending on a single skin. The Howl's rarity and iconic wolf design cement its status as a true "spend your life savings" flex skin for the wealthiest players. Seeing one in an opponent's hands is a reminder of just how expensive success can be in skin collecting.
Gold Gem Katowice 2014 souvenirs
For players obsessed with the prestige and history of CS2 Major tournament scene, no skins compare to ultra-rare souvenirs containing coveted Katowice 2014 gold sticker gems. These one-of-a-kind skins were dropped to lucky viewers during the very first Major championships and contain stickers from that inaugural event, including legendary team logos. Just a few of these historic souvenirs exist featuring the elusive Gold Katowice 2014 iBUYPOWER (unapplied), Titan, or Na`Vi holo stickers embedded on their surfaces. Estimated values range from $5,000 upwards of $50,000 depending on the stickers, gun, and condition. Simply inspecting another player wielding these capsule-in-time skins from eight years ago induces feelings of astonishment and jealousy, as they represent the absolute pinnacle of CS2 rarity, history, and collector value.
Other Rare Gems
While the ultra-rare skins mentioned above take the crown for eliteness and expense, other rare and coveted skins captivate collectors too. The Crimson Web and Freehand knives feature vivid crimson designs that catch the eye up close. Covert AUG and SG553 skins like the Storm and 553 Wave Spray possess stunning designs and rarity. For M4A1-S users, the Icarus Fell and Hyper Beast stand out from the pack. And original souvenirs from early Majors containing stickers from deceased teams like iBUYPOWER, Epsilon, and others hold prestige. While not attaining Dragon Lore or Howl status, these rare gems still excite collectors and cause envy whenever inspected in another player's hands. Their scarcity alone drives demand and solidifies them as must-have skins for hardcore fans.
Getting Your Hands on the Elite
While the vast majority of players can only dream of owning skins like the Dragon Lore, Howl, or ultra-rare souvenirs, there are still paths to acquiring them - though it requires commitment, dedication, and often an incredible stroke of luck.
The most straightforward way is simply purchasing the skin directly from another player or trader. However, given their immense values, this requires amassing a fortune through trading up from more common skins or cashing out a hefty real-world monetary investment. Sites like Bitskins and Skin Baron allow buying and selling at fixed prices, but prices remain well into the thousands or tens of thousands for the top tier skins.
A more realistic approach for most players is engaging in trading. Networks like r/GlobalOffensiveTrade enable working your way up from common to more rare skins through smart trades that slowly build inventory value over time. It may take months or years, but with patience most collectors have managed to trade modest inventories for dragon lores and howls through strategic deal-making. Sites like buff163 also make multi-trade offers easily.
Another viable path is entering skin/stash giveaways held by prominent YouTube channels and streamers. While competition is fierce, the top prizes are often covert or rare skins worth hundreds. Consistently entering broadcasts increases odds of winning over time.
Of course, the true gamble is taking shots unboxing coveted skins directly. While odds are dismal, every so often a Dragon Lore or Howl is unboxed live on stream to much elation. Some dedicated soul unboxers like Anthropic have managed ultra-rare quads through tenacity. But on average expect losses far exceeding any potential rewards.
The final option is succeeding as a pro player or top twitch/YouTube content creator. Major and tournament winnings often include souvenir packages worth big money long-term as collectibles. And the most popular figures attract skin sponsorships and deals frequently worth thousands upwards. But this path requires skill, dedication and building a brand - not for the faint of heart.
All in all, with indefatigable commitment to trading up, untold hours of giveaway entries, and crossing fingers unboxing - or reaching celebrity status in the scene - there are avenues for average players to one day showcase their own Dragon Lore or holy grail skin through persistence. Just don't expect a quick or easy process!