Counter-Strike has captivated players not just with its intense gameplay but also through its vibrant world of virtual skin collecting. Among these, the Case Hardened skins stand out as a crown jewel. Introduced in the Arms Deal Collection of 2013, these skins have gained a cult following due to their unique color patterns and the rarity that accompanies them.
Understanding the Case Hardened Pattern System
What sets the Case Hardened skins apart is their intriguing pattern system. Unlike other skins, they are created using a ‘cookie cutter’ approach from a pre-designed color palette. This method ensures a variety of patterns where each skin can exhibit a unique combination of colors, although completely one-of-a-kind patterns are not possible. Despite this, the chance of duplicate patterns is relatively low, making each skin feel special.
The Rarity of Colors: From Silver to Blue
The Case Hardened skins are categorized into different color groups – silver, gold, purple, and the most coveted, blue. The allure of the blue hue, often referred to as the “Blue Gem,” lies in its scarcity. A Case Hardened skin with a significant amount of blue can fetch a high price in the trading market. Collectors and traders keep an eye out for specific patterns like the Full Blue Magazine or the Galaxy Pattern, which are particularly rare and valued.
Customization and Pricing of Case Hardened Skins
Adding to their appeal, these skins can be customized with stickers, further enhancing their aesthetic and value. The pricing of Case Hardened skins varies significantly based on the pattern’s rarity and the amount of blue present. It’s a market driven by supply and demand, with collectors willing to pay premium prices for rare patterns.
The Rarest Blue Gem Patterns
The most expensive and most sought after blue gem patterns is the “scar pattern” blue gem with the pattern index 661. It has a completly blue top and only a small scar towards the front of the gun, hence the name of the pattern. Besides this pattern, there are two more “scar pattern” blue gems where the scar is on different locations on the skin.
AK-47 Case Hardened Pattern Index Ranking
The easiest way to find out wether your Case Hardened AK-47 is special or not is by looking at the pattern index number. Below you can find a tier list with the various pattern seeds. So if your newly unboxed AK-47 has a pattern index of 661, then you got really lucky and you got yourself a scar pattern blue gem.
| Tier | Pattern Index |
|---|---|
| 1 | 661, 955, 321, 417 |
| 2 | 592, 4, 905, 13, 151, 168, 429, 387, 670, 179 |
| 3 | 555, 442, 978, 139, 828, 969, 750, 695, 103, 112, 733, 844, 228, 868, 434, 698, 74, 996, 760, 375, 708, 823, 690, 791, 278, 917, 463, 711, 849, 92, 82, 450, 512, 310, 713, 11, 721, 236, 172, 950, 147, 782, 322, 363, 189, 961, 497, 430, 887, 426, 862 |
| 4 | 770, 648, 28, 575, 73, 798, 557, 627, 532, 541, 935, 453, 479, 872, 522, 525, 664, 622, 494, 344, 965, 775, 847, 209, 689, 306, 803, 169, 577, 381, 878, 2, 888, 526, 879, 126, 605, 468, 269, 891, 481, 985, 715, 248, 456, 420, 681, 32, 397, 493, 788, 256, 470, 418, 927, 182, 178, 685, 407, 507, 65, 200, 694, 922, 795, 809, 296, 842, 194, 431, 341, 447, 130, 205, 428, 230, 458, 1000, 242, 34, 325, 724 |
Conclusion
The Case Hardened skins in Counter-Strike represent more than just digital artwork; they are a testament to the game’s thriving virtual economy and the community’s passion for collecting. Whether you’re a seasoned trader or a new enthusiast, understanding these skins’ unique pattern system can be both exciting and rewarding.
