What’s The Difference Between A StatTrak And A Normal Skin
StatTrak skins, in particular, seem to be generating a lot of buzz within the CS:GO community and find their way into almost every player’s inventory. If you consider yourself a veteran player, you are probably already well aware of the StatTrak concept. If, however, you’re just starting out, stick around because you’re in for a treat!
Join us as we answer the question of what is StatTrak CS:GO and in what ways StatTrak weapon skins differ from normal skins.
What Are StatTrak Skins?
StatTrak skins are a unique variant of normal skins that help players keep track of the frags they performed while having the cosmetically enhanced weapon equipped. This means that each time you’re in a match using a StatTrak skin, every kill shot you make will be recorded and added towards the total kill count.
As the name StatTrak suggests, your recorded kills, or rather, recorded stats while using the skin can be found on the exterior of your weapon. Typically, the 6-digit counter is located on the left side, and cannot exceed the number 999,999. Once the limit has been reached, the count will reset to zero but will keep the actual number visible on the weapon in your inventory.
Another important factor to mention is that when a StatTrak skin is listed on the Steam Market, the count also resets to zero. This allows the player who gets the skin to have their countdown initiated.
Availability of StatTrak Skins
StatTrak skins are one of the most sought-after types of cosmetic items in the game, mainly because of their rarity. Yes, almost every CS:GO weapon skin has its own StatTrak counterpart. However, the chances of obtaining one are lower compared to normal skins. That is, unless you trade for it or purchase it from the Steam Market or third-party marketplaces.
Ways To Obtain StatTrak Skins
Now that we’ve covered grounds on what is StatTrak CS:GO, it’s time to go over the ways that you can obtain one. There are three possible ways that you can get your hands on a StatTrak skin for either your favorite weapon or a random one.
While some of these options are a bit costly and require a real-cash investment, you might also get lucky enough to obtain a StatTrak skin by simply completing objectives and utilizing the rewards offered. Let’s have a look at the tools you have at your disposal that might help you get one of the popular cosmetic items.
Obtaining StatTrak Skins From CS:GO Cases
CS:GO cases are special containers that are rewarded to you by simply playing the game and completing various objectives. The simplest way that you can go about it is by receiving your weekly activity drops, which are guaranteed to reward you with a case. If, on the other hand, you have some extra cash to spare or items to trade, you can use the Steam Market.
Opening cases does come with a bit of a caveat. The only way that you can open a case and access the cosmetic goodies packed inside is by using a key to unlock it. Keys can be either purchased with real cash or traded via the Steam Market. Keep in mind that no particular skin drops are guaranteed, as the case system is based on a random numbers generator (RNG).
Even though landing a StatTrak skin from a case is rare, don’t be too surprised if you end up getting a few regardless. The skins you get might not be the ones you’re looking for, but they will still be something you can brag about to your fellow allies and opponents.
Purchasing StatTrak Skins From The Steam Marketplace
If you’re not the patient type that can wait weeks before getting their hands on a StatTrak skin, the Steam Market is your best bet. That is of course, if you’re able to afford it. StatTrak skin prices can vary between a few cents, to a couple of hundred dollars or even thousands, depending on the rarity.
In case you can’t afford to invest a chunk of your hard-earned money in a skin, perhaps you have a few valuable items of your own to trade in. Luckily, the Steam Marketplace also allows item trades, meaning that you can get a StatTrak skin if you’ve ground your way toward a few trade-worthy skins.
The only reason that CS:GO players avoid using the Steam Marketplace is because of the high fees that come with every monetary transaction. Basically, every time an item is traded for cash, Steam swoops in and takes 5% of the total item value from the sum the seller is supposed to receive. This is why you might see higher skin prices than what you would on third-party CS:GO marketplaces.
Purchasing StatTrak Skins From Third-Party Marketplaces
If you don’t mind spending real cash for cosmetic in-game items, third-party CS:GO marketplaces are your best bet. By using a third-party marketplace, you and the seller will avoid the 5% fee that Steam takes. This means that your chances of finding a StatTrak skin for your favorite weapon at the best possible price are substantially bigger.
An important consideration that you should always have in mind when browsing through third-party marketplaces is their reputation. You should ideally find a reputable marketplace with plenty of positive reviews. If the transaction process looks a bit shady, feel free to walk away and protect yourself from any scams.
Will StatTrak Weapon Skins Make You A Better Player?
Neither StatTrak skins nor normal weapon skins will provide you with any type of competitive advantage in CS:GO. As mentioned, these are items purely created for a cosmetic purpose. Your weapon will still retain its original stats and every shot you take will lead to a kill only if you’re skilled enough.
The only difference between normal skins and StatTrak skins is that normal skins act like a coat of fresh paint on your weapon, and StatTrak skins do the same but include a kill counter on the left side of it.
Popular StatTrak Weapon Skins In CS:GO
If you made it this far, we assume that you are already familiar with what is StatTrak CS:GO. The only thing left to do is explore the different StatTrak skins and find the best one for your weapon of choice. We’ve compiled a list of our favorites ones that are leaning more towards the lavish side, have a look.
StatTrak M4A4 | Howl
The StatTrak M4A4 | Howl is possibly one of the most expensive and rarest StatTrak skins found in the game. This particular piece features a black and red pattern and a fiery wolf on the side of the weapon.
The skin is placed within the contraband category, which means that obtaining it by opening a CS:GO case is not an option. The only way that you can get your hands on one of these bad boys is by trading for it on the Steam Marketplace or purchasing it through third-party marketplaces. If you’re wondering about the price tag, the StatTrak M4A4 | Howl will set you back around $18,000, depending on the condition it’s in.
StatTrak AK-47 | Case Hardened (661)
Case Hardened AK-47 skins have become the popular choice for many enthusiasts in the game, with most selling at a couple of hundred bucks. There is, however, a particular pattern number that is deemed extremely rare. A StatTrak AK-47 | Case Hardened with the pattern number 661 has an estimated value of around a whopping $30,000.
StatTrak Butterfly Knife | Lore
If you’ve been a part of the CS:GO community, then you already know how cool the butterfly knife looks! One of the more recent cosmetic additions in the game is the gold-plated StatTrak Butterfly Knife | Lore, added to the game in September 2021 during the Operation Riptide update. This StatTrak skin will set you back around $9,600.
StatTrak Talon Knife | Doppler (Sapphire)
If you’re looking for a cheaper knife skin with timeless value, the StatTrak Talon Knife | Doppler (Sapphire) might just be the weapon for you. Sitting at around $1,100, the ivory-handled talon knife will certainly be a good addition to your inventory, counting every silent back-stab you perform.