Counter-Strike is renowned not just for its competitive gameplay but also for its extensive collection of in-game weapon skins. Among these, “Fade” skins hold a special place due to their unique aesthetic appeal and varying levels of rarity. This blog post will dive deep into what Fade skins are, how they work, and why some are more expensive than others.
What are “Fade” Skins?
Fade skins in Counter-Strike 2 are known for their vibrant, gradient designs, composed of three primary colors—Red, Blue, and Yellow—along with Gray, which appears when the Fade effect is absent. The Fade percentage of a skin determines how much of these colors are present: higher Fade percentages mean less gray and more vivid colors.
How Do Fade Skins Work?
The unique aspect of Fade skins lies in their “Fade percentage.” This percentage represents how much of the skin is covered by the primary color, which typically transitions from a vibrant yellow to a rich purple or pink. The Fade percentage is determined during the skin’s creation and affects the final appearance of the weapon. It can also not be changed. Once the skin is created, the Fade percentage is set forever.
Fade Percentage Explained
Each Fade skin in CS2 has 1001 variations, dictated by a pattern number ranging from 1 to 1000. The pattern number influences the distribution of colors on the skin, thereby affecting its visual appeal and market value.
- Full Fade: This term typically refers to skins with an 80% to 100% Fade percentage, where the color gradient covers most or all of the blade. Full Fade skins are highly sought after, with higher percentages generally commanding higher prices. However, there are exceptions, such as the Falchion Knife, which can have up to 110% coverage. In this case, 110% means the gradient extends beyond the blade to the handle.
For simplicity, this guide considers 100% synonymous with Full Fade. However, it’s important to note that designations like 110% are specific to certain knives, reflecting unique coverage characteristics.
Unique Pattern Percentages
Certain knives, like the Talon Knife and Karambit, are categorized not just by overall Fade percentage but by the distribution of individual colors. For example, a pattern labeled 90/5/5 means the blade is 90% pink, 5% purple, and 5% yellow. This detailed color breakdown can significantly influence the skin’s rarity and value.
Spotting full fade skins can be quite hard since skins with 100 and 99 percent fade look pretty much identical. To make sure you are picking up the right skin check the pattern index of the skin. We will have a list with all the full fade pattern indexes attached below.
Why Are Some Fade Skins More Expensive?
The value of a Fade skin in CS is influenced by several factors:
- Fade Percentage: As mentioned earlier, a higher Fade percentage usually results in a more visually appealing skin, driving up its value. Collectors and players often seek the most visually striking versions, leading to higher demand and prices.
- Weapon Type: Some weapons are more popular than others, making their skins more valuable. For example, a Fade skin for a Karambit knife is generally more expensive than a Fade skin for a less sought-after weapon like the MAC-10.
- Rarity and Availability: The rarity of a skin in the market also affects its price. Skins that are harder to come by due to limited drops or older collections are often more expensive.
- Condition: The wear level of a skin also impacts its value. Since all Fade skins are only available in Factory New and Minimal Wear, it is more important to look at the float value to get the best skin possible.
Other Fade Skins
Fade skins aren’t limited to knives; they are also available for Specialist Gloves, Glock-18, R8 Revolver, MP7, MAC-10, AWP, and UMP-45. While the pattern number affects the appearance of these skins, it doesn’t influence the price as significantly as it does with knives.
Conclusion
Fade skins in Counter-Strike are highly prized for their striking appearance and the complex factors that determine their value. The Fade percentage plays a crucial role in defining the visual appeal of these skins, with higher percentages generally being more desirable. Combined with the type of weapon, rarity, condition, and pattern index, these elements create a dynamic and sometimes expensive market for Fade skins.
Whether you’re a collector looking to add a prized skin to your inventory or a player wanting to stand out in your matches, understanding the intricacies of Fade skins can help you make informed decisions and appreciate the artistry that goes into these digital designs.
Full Fade pattern indexes:
| Karambit, Talon Knife | 16, 129, 146, 152, 241, 281, 292, 332, 344, 359, 393, 412, 541, 602, 628, 649, 673, 688, 701, 743, 777, 792, 918, 994 |
| Kukri Knife | 34, 41, 87, 93, 105, 205, 256, 326, 341, 348, 403, 468, 520, 521, 527, 575, 576, 583, 601, 636, 648, 651, 668, 714, 742, 763, 807, 892, 897, 910, 911, 944, 961, 975 |
| Navaja Knife | 41, 87, 93, 205, 326, 341, 348, 403, 468, 520, 527, 575, 583, 601, 636, 651, 742, 763, 807, 897, 910, 911, 961 |
| Flip Knife | 41, 87, 93, 205, 326, 341, 348, 403, 468, 520, 521, 527, 575, 601, 636, 651, 668, 714, 763, 807, 848, 897, 910, 911, 961 |
| Gut Knife | 41, 87, 93, 326, 341, 403, 468, 520, 521, 575, 636, 651, 763, 897, 910, 911, 961 |
| Bowie Knife | 34, 41, 87, 93, 105, 205, 256, 326, 341, 348, 403, 468, 520, 521, 527, 575, 576, 583, 601, 636, 648, 651, 668, 714, 742, 763, 807, 892, 897, 910, 911, 944, 961, 975 |
| Huntsman Knife | 41, 87, 93, 205, 326, 341, 348, 403, 468, 520, 521, 527, 575, 601, 636, 651, 668, 714, 763, 807, 892, 897, 910, 911, 961 |
| Falchion Knife | 41, 87, 93, 326, 341, 403, 468, 520, 521, 527, 575, 636, 651, 763, 897, 910, 911, 961 |
| Bayonet | 34, 41, 87, 93, 205, 256, 326, 341, 348, 403, 468, 520, 521, 527, 575, 583, 601, 636, 651, 668, 714, 742, 763, 807, 848, 892, 897, 910, 911, 944, 961 |
| M9 Bayonet | 41, 87, 93, 205, 326, 341, 348, 403, 422, 468, 520, 521, 527, 575, 583, 601, 636, 651, 668, 714, 742, 763, 807, 892, 897, 910, 911, 961 |
| Butterfly, Classic, Nomad, Paracord, Skeleton, Stiletto, Survival, Ursus, Shadow Daggers | 41, 87, 93, 205, 326, 341, 348, 403, 468, 520, 527, 575, 583, 601, 636, 651, 742, 763, 807, 892, 897, 910, 911, 961 |
| AWP | 16, 129, 146, 152, 241, 281, 292, 332, 344, 359, 393, 412, 541, 602, 628, 649, 673, 688, 701, 743, 777, 792, 918, 994 |
| Glock-18 | 34, 41, 87, 93, 205, 256, 326, 341, 348, 403, 468, 520, 521, 527, 575, 583, 601, 636, 651, 668, 714, 742, 763, 807, 848, 892, 897, 910, 911, 944, 961 |
