In CS2, there is a clear relationship between a weapon’s popularity and the prices of its skins. The less often a weapon appears in actual gameplay, the lower the interest in its finishes – and this almost always translates into lower prices. However, this is not an absolute rule. Below, we look at why skins for rarely used weapons are usually cheaper, what the pros and cons of this situation are, and when this relationship can break down.
Weapon popularity as the foundation of skin pricing
The CS2 skin market is largely a utility driven market. This means that skins are primarily bought for weapons that are actually used in matches. If a weapon appears in almost every round, demand for its skins is stable and broad. For niche weapons, the situation is different – even if a skin is visually attractive, few players want to spend money on an item they barely use. This is why skins for weapons such as the AK-47, AWP, or M4 maintain high prices, while finishes for less frequently chosen models often remain cheap for years.
Why do rarely used weapons have cheaper skins?
The main reason is limited demand. Rarely used weapons usually appear only in specific situations: unconventional strategies, low budget rounds, or as weapons of necessity rather than choice. Players do not build their identity or visual loadouts around them, so demand for expensive skins is minimal. Additionally, many of these weapons are introduced into the game mainly as “fillers” in cases and collections. This results in high supply and little price pressure. Even if a skin is technically rare, its real market value remains low because few people actually want to own it.
Examples of weapons with lower demand for skins
Weapons whose skins have shown noticeably lower demand for years are primarily shotguns. Models such as the Nova, XM1014, MAG-7, and Sawed-Off appear in gameplay only occasionally and mainly in very specific situations. As a result, even visually well-designed skins for these weapons remain cheap, often regardless of wear condition. Price differences between Factory New and Battle-Scarred are frequently minimal, because few players are willing to pay extra for the aesthetics of a weapon used only occasionally. A similar situation applies to submachine guns that do not have a stable place in the meta. The PP-Bizon, MP7, MP9, and UMP-45 are chosen mainly in eco rounds or as transitional weapons. Their skins, even when they come from newer collections, quickly fall into the low price segment because demand is limited to a narrow group of players. Another category consists of so called situational weapons – those that are not a primary choice at any stage of a match. Examples include the Negev or the M249: distinctive weapons, but typically used more for fun than for gaining a competitive advantage. Skins for these models often become market fillers and very rarely reach higher prices, even if they visually stand out compared to other skins.
Advantages of cheap skins for rarely used weapons
From a player’s perspective, cheap skins have their advantages. Above all, they make it possible to build a complete visual loadout at a low cost. If someone enjoys variety or plays casually, they can still enjoy attractive finishes without spending much. For collectors, this also means the opportunity to acquire many skins in good condition for a fraction of the price of popular models. Another advantage is potential flexibility. If a weapon unexpectedly gains popularity after a balance update, the prices of its skins can react quickly. This does not happen often, but the CS2 market has seen such cases.
Drawbacks and investment limitations
From an investment standpoint, however, rarely used weapons have significant disadvantages. Low popularity means low liquidity – even if a skin’s price increases, selling it may be difficult. There is no steady demand, and interest is often short lived and dependent on temporary meta changes. Additionally, such skins are more prone to being “forgotten.” New collections and cases regularly introduce additional finishes, which quickly push older skins for niche weapons further into obscurity. As a result, many of them remain cheap for a very long time.
When does this relationship stop applying?
There are situations in which skins for rarely used weapons can still be expensive. This usually happens when a skin has a unique collector status, comes from a discontinued collection, or is tied to the history of the game. In such cases, value is driven not by the weapon’s usability, but by symbolism and limited availability. These are, however, exceptions rather than the market rule. Rarely used weapons in CS2 almost always mean cheaper skins, because demand for them is limited. This is good news for players who want aesthetics without high costs, but less attractive for those thinking about long-term value. The skin market rewards popularity and practical use – the more often a weapon appears in matches, the greater the interest in its finishes. For niche weapons, prices remain low, and growth potential is limited and difficult to predict.
