The fade design is one of the most iconic finishes in Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), combining metallic gradients with a vibrant palette of colors. The 'fade family’ is a recognized group of skin designs in CS2 that feature a unique chrome base with airbrushed paint jobs creating a seamless fade effect. Because of their awesome looks, Fade are generally the most expensive CS2 skins in the game.
Whether you’re hunting for a knife, pistol, or rifle with the fade look, this guide highlights the top fade skins you can get in CS2, along with key details like their current price, availability, and how to get them!
Why are Fade Skins so Expensive?
Many players who see a Fade skin on the trading market for the first time feel shocked, and it shouldn’t be a surprise. The Fade variants are some of the best CS2 knives, with rare picks like the Butterfly Knife easily worth a couple of thousands.
This is because Fade skins generally have the highest rarity possible in the CS2 rarity system. And while most guns, like the AWP or Glock-18, come in the Covert rarity, all knives are only available in the special rare slot, making the particular Fade finishes ever rarer, and thus, more expensive!
1. Butterfly Knife | Fade
The Butterfly Knife Fade is possibly the best butterfly knife skin, as well as one of the most expensive knives in CS2. Players can view the knife’s unique animation combined with the bold fade gradient, making it one of the prettiest knives in the game. With its smooth color transitions, the Butterfly Knife Fade is a rare and stylish addition to any player’s inventory. It’s one of the best knives you can get for a purple CS2 loadout.
- Lowest Steam price: Around $1,500 – $2,000
- Available in collection: Operation Breakout Weapon Case
- First added: July 2014, Operation Breakout
2. MAC-10 | Fade
For SMG enthusiasts, the MAC-10 Fade brings an energetic fade finish to this high-fire-rate weapon. The MAC-10 Fade, like other fade skins, is a blend of eye-catching colors, giving it a distinct appearance. This skin is more affordable than some fade options, making it accessible to players with a more modest budget looking for the best red CS2 skins for their SMG.
- Lowest Steam price: Around $150 – $200
- Available in collection: The Spectrum Collection
- First added: March 2017, Spectrum Case release
3. MP7 | Fade
The MP7 Fade is a more affordable fade skin that brings the same vibrant fade effect to this classic SMG. If you want a Fade skin of your own but are short on cash, MP7 Fade is one of the cheapest CS2 skins on this list. The MP7 Fade offers great visual appeal without breaking the bank, making it perfect for players who want the fade look on a budget.
- Lowest Steam price: Around $10 – $50
- Available in collection: The Horizon Collection
- First added: August 2018, Horizon Case release
4. Classic Knife | Fade
Introduced with the nostalgic CS20 Case, the Classic Knife Fade brings back a traditional knife design with a modern twist. While it’s one of the cheapest CS2 knives on this list, a Classic Knife Fade of your own can still cost you well over $400.
- Lowest Steam price: Starting from $400
- Available in collection: CS20 Case
- First added: October 2019, CS20 Case release
5. Talon Knife | Fade
The Talon Knife Fade is another popular choice among fade skin enthusiasts. With its curved blade and intricate design, the Talon Knife Fade really showcases the skin’s visuals, particularly with the smooth fade gradient applied across the blade. Talon Knife is already generally expensive, and players who sell CS2 skins for real money often demand well over $1000 for their skin.
- Lowest Steam price: Around $900 – $1,200
- Available in collection: Prisma Case
- First added: March 2019, Prisma Case release
6. AWP | Fade
The Fade family also happens to feature one of the best AWP skins in the game. The Sniper rifle happens to be one of the most popular CS2 guns, due to its immense firepower potential. While it’s not one of the most expensive AWP skins in the game, it can still cost around $1000 for a version with a low CS2 float value.
- Lowest Steam price: Around $880
- Available in collection: Control Collection
- First added: December 2020, Operation Broken Fang
7. Glock-18 | Fade
We’re closing our list with the best Glock-18 skin in the game. Its smooth gradient of pink, yellow, and purple across the slide of the Glock-18 makes it one of the most popular pistol skins in the game, which is reflected by its price. The Glock-18 Fade is highly valued for its looks and rarity.
- Lowest Steam price: Around $1,000
- Available in collection: CS20 Case
- First added: October 2019, CS20 Case release
Conclusion
Fade skins are a timeless choice for players looking to add color and style to their CS2 experience. From the iconic Butterfly Knife to budget-friendly options like the MP7, there’s a fade skin to suit every player’s budget and weapon preference.
If you enjoyed this article, make sure to check out the rest of our Skinomat blog, where we regularly post more CS2, Rust and TF2 content!
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