Guide to Fade Skins in CS2: Understanding Patterns & Percentages

Hey there! Did you just unbox the coolest Fade skin on Hellcase and want to check the Fade percentage? Or are you in the market for a full Fade skin and looking for the best CS pattern checker? Either way, this article will be helpful. The last thing you want to do is simply go and trade it on the Steam Marketplace, not knowing the pattern you have is a potential goldmine.

This article is a must-read for everyone looking to buy or sell a Fade skin. Here, we explore the basics of all Fade skins in CS2: what Fade patterns are, the differences in their designs, and how to calculate a skin’s Fade percentage. Trust us, once you read all that stuff, you’ll be ready for the CS2 market hunting.

In article you will find:

What are Fade Patterns in CS2?

“This isn’t just a weapon, it’s a conversation piece – Imogen, Arms Dealer In Training”.

As the lore piece states, Fade knives in CS2 are more than simple weapons. Fade skins are some of the most sought-after items in CS2, and for very good reason. They’re vibrant and unique, and each features a beautiful gradient pattern.

What makes them particularly special is that each Fade pattern differs from the rest because of different pattern indexes that affect the way colors are distributed all over the blade’s surface. And yes, the color distribution is exactly what affects the value of a Fade skin the most.

What Are Fade Percentage Values in CS2 Fade Skins?

Most CS:GO skin patterns are mathematical miracles. Depending on the CS:GO pattern index, a particular variant of a skin can look way different from the rest of the line-up.

The same goes for the Fade family, one of the most valuable collection of CS:GO skin patterns. The term “Fade percentage” in CS2/CS:GO means how much of the weapon is covered by the colorful gradient pattern.

It ranges from 1% to 100%, and it’s directly affected by the skin’s pattern ID. As you might have probably guessed, the 100% Fade is the rarest and the most expensive type of Fade skins. That’s why it’s important to know how to check Fade percentage. Now, let’s talk details.

What is a Full Fade & 99% Fade? 

The Full Fade (100%) is undeniably the most valuable variant of Fade patterns. Maximum color coverage with perfect gradient distribution. In fact, it’s so rare that each knife type has specific pattern numbers that qualify as Full Fade. There are also “Fake Full Fades”. But, you know, it won’t cut when you know the difference is there. Here’s the table with CS:GO pattern indexes of Full Fade patterns:

*Source: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2875620478 

The 99% Fades, which are often called “Fake Full Fade” knives, are nearly identical to Full Fade. Still, there are slight differences, which are harder to notice. The good news is they’re almost the same in value but at a lower price. So, if you’re on a stricter budget, getting a 99% Fade or a knife with a lower Fade percentage value is a nice-to-have alternative worth considering. If you’re wondering how to check Fade percentage, we’ll get to that later, too.

Other percentages of Fade CS2 Skins

If you’re guessing there should be lower CS2 (CS:GO) Fade percentage values, you’re guessing it right. All Fade skins go as low as 80%. That’s right, not 1% or 0%. Let’s see what you can expect from lower tiers of Fade percentage in CS2/CS:GO.

95%+ Fade

The 95%+ Fade patterns look delicious. There is almost no gray, or it’s featured in less visible areas. This way, it does not hurt the overall appearance.

90%+ Fade

When it comes to 90%+ Fade skins, there’s either just a little of gray, or a whole lot of it. To be more specific, up to ¼ of a weapon’s surface.

85% and lower

Going from 80% to 85%, these Fade skins contain the most gray color. It’s not a big deal for some players. The blades still look good, though they’re not quite as vibrant as other variants. The CS2 market is kinda full of these skins, so they’re not that valuable.

Fade Patterns and Their Distinctive Colors

There’s yellow, there’s purple, there’s pink… Ugh, and then there’s ugly gray! Well, nothing in this world is perfect. Unsurprisingly, Fade skins in CS2 have their minor imperfections as well. In this case, it’s the gray color in the patterns, and its presence can drastically lower the Fade pattern’s price, especially when there’s a lot of it.

How to Check the Fade Percentage of CS2 Skins?

So, how to check how much Fade a knife is? It turns out that checking the Fade percentage value is just as simple as checking the CS2 (CS:GO) float of a skin. There are a few different ways you can do it, and we’ll explore each.

Using Special Tools and Calculators

Thanks to the passionate CS2 community members who work tirelessly on a bunch of tools and other cool things, we’re now able to check CS2 (CS:GO) float and calculate a skin’s fade percentage with just a few clicks. And you can do it, too. All you need is an online CS2/CS:GO Fade Checker tool like this one. Or this one. Our tip would be to cross-reference multiple tools for accurate info, though most are accurate enough.

Learning From Pattern IDs

CS2/CS:GO Fade Checker tools are not the only ways of estimating a Fade skin’s value and worth. If you have a good memory (or are just stubborn enough), you can memorize all the Fade line-up pattern indexes, becoming a self-sufficient CS pattern checker yourself. That sounds hugely cool, but it is not so realistic. So, the next option is good, too.

Tips for Easier Visual Inspection of Fade Skins

One thing you should watch out for is the amount of gray and gray-ish areas on the weapons. After all, this is exactly what brings down the value of a Fade skin.

Range of Fade Percentage Values for CS2 Skins

We’ve mentioned that in CS2 (CS:GO), Fade percentage goes from 80% up to 100%. Did you believe us? Got you! Let’s see what this is all about.

Fade Value Range of Falchion Knives

While most assume that CS2 Fade percentages max out at 100%, there’s more to the story. It actually goes up to 110%, but not for all Fade skins. It’s the Falchion knives.

When inspecting in-game, you’ll notice how the colors wrap around the handle, creating a more comprehensive fade effect than what’s possible with other knives. That said, it’s important to note that a Falchion Knife doesn’t need to reach 110% to be considered a “Full Fade.” 

The traditional 100% Fade label still applies to patterns that achieve complete blade coverage with optimal color distribution. The handle fade is considered nothing but a bonus feature unique to this knife model. A bonus for an additional hundreds of bucks, anyway.

Fade Percentage Values of Karambit and Talon Knives

Though Karambit and Talon knives are part of the same Fade lineup as the rest of the skins, their Fade percentage works slightly differently.

Instead of a single percentage indicating fade coverage, these knives use a three-number ratio system (e.g., 90/5/5) representing the amount of pink, purple, and yellow, respectively.

The Impact of Fade Patterns and Percentages on Skin Value

The rule that helps explain the price policies of all Fade skins is simple: “Higher percentage + lower float = higher price.” However, other things drive the value of a Fade skin, whether it’s for a knife or a gun. When you’re in the market, consider things like pattern placement and stuff like wear visibility before committing to buying a Fade skin.

Rare CS2 (CS:GO) Fade Patterns

Like it is with any other line-up of CS2 knife patterns (or weapon patterns), some variants of Fade skins are rarer than others. It is what it is. Since you already know how to check Fade percentage CS2/CS:GO, let’s move on to more exciting things, including the rarest Fade patterns out there. Most of them are not as expensive as the best Case Hardened patterns, but still, they’re pretty big!

“True 90/10” | Karambit

The 100% Karambit Fade, also known as the ‘True 90/10’ in the CS2 community, is one of the rarest and priciest Fade skins that you can get in CS2. It features a unique finish consisting of 90% pink and 10% yellow, with no purple in the mix. It’s almost as valuable as the AK-47 | Case Hardened Blue Gem pattern.

“Absolute Max” | Glock-17

The “Absolute Max” pattern is immediately recognizable by its distinctive purple-dominant slide. Unlike other Glock Fade variations, this pattern features maximum purple coverage on the front of the slide and a perfect color transition from purple to pink.

“Full Fade” | Nomad Knife

Another rare “100% Fade” piece is the Nomad Knife. First introduced during Operation Shattered Web, the Nomad Knife quickly gained popularity for its unique blade shape and impressive Fade variations. An authentic 100% Fade Nomad Knife (Full Fade) has a complete color spectrum with the maximum purple extension on the blade’s tip.

Best Fade Skins in CS2 to Watch for Your Collection

Looking to invest in CS2 skins but not sure where to start? Fade skins might be your best bet. These gradient-colored beauties consistently rank among the most desired skins in the game, and their value grows over time. Now, let’s look at the most promising Fade skins worth adding to your collection in 2024.

Skin 1: AWP | Fade

Added in: December 3, 2020 (Operation Broken Fang)

Starting price: $1,500

StarTrak™ is available: yes

The CS2’s AWP | Fade quickly became one of the most sought-after AWP skins in CS2. AWP | Fade’s price is heavily dependent on the fade percentage and the skin’s wear level. In CS2, AWP | Fade features a distinctive gradient that extends from the scope to the barrel. The average AWP | Fade price is over $1,500 per item.

Skin 2: Classic Knife | Fade

Added in: October 18, 2019 (CS20 Case)

Starting price: $780

StarTrak™ is available: yes

Classic | Fade in CS2 is, well, the classic fade. We’d round up this knife’s overview, but there’s more to that. Its clean blade surface perfectly showcases the fade pattern, making Full Fade patterns highly desirable among collectors. Do you like what you’re seeing? A Classic Knife | Fade will cost you around $800.

Skin 3: Talon Knife | Fade

Added in: August 2, 2018 (Horizon Case)

Starting price: $1,600

StarTrak™ is available: yes

The Talon Fade knife uses a unique percentage system (90/5/5 format) that differs from other fade knives. Its curved blade displays the fade pattern distinctively, with corner wear significantly affecting the value of a Talon Knife | Fade. The price is around $2,000.

Skin 4: Bayonet | Fade

Added in: August 14, 2013 (CS:GO Weapon Case)

Starting price: $1,000

StarTrak™ is available: yes

CS2’s Bayonet | Fade is a little less popular than the M9 Bayonet, but it’s just as good. One of the original fade knives, its Full Fade patterns feature beautiful purple extensions on the tip and maintain consistent value over time. Bayonet | Fade in CS2 will cost you a little over $1,000.

Skin 5: Glock-18 | Fade

Added in: August 14, 2013 (The Assault Collection)

Starting price: $1,500

StarTrak™ is available: yes

The Glock-18 | Fade is one of CS2’s most iconic skins. Its “Absolute Max” pattern is precious, featuring maximum purple on the slide. What players like about this skin the most is probably the simplicity of design that combines a dark metallic handle with a vibrant slide. If you want to get your hands on this beauty, get ready to pay more than $1,500 for it.

Skin 6: M4A1-S | Fade

Added in: October 2, 2024 (The Sport & Field Collection)

Starting price: $500

StarTrak™ is available: yes

The newest addition to the Fade line-up, M4A1-S | Fade (unsurprisingly)features the classic fade gradient. It looks great and will be a lovely addition to your CS2 inventory. For a Fade skin, the price range is average.

Skin 7: Butterfly Knife | Fade

Added in: July 1, 2014 (Operation Breakout Weapon Case)

Starting price: N/A

StarTrak™ is available: yes

One of the most expensive Fade skins, the Butterfly Knife | Fade comes with smooth animation combined with beautiful fade patterns. It’s extremely rare, so we’re not even sure how much it costs. Definitely over $5,000!

Tips for Fade Skin Collecting

When collecting Fade skins, looking only at the percentage is like judging a book by its cover. You know how to check fade percentage, but there are other things to consider. For that, we have a few tips for you!

Consider Not Just Fade Percentage

Of course, using a CS2/CS:GO Fade checker is a must before buying or selling a Fade skin. However, they’re just the starting point. You should also pay attention to the skin’s wear level. Although all Fade skins only come in Factory New (0.00-0.07) and Minimal Wear (0.07-0.08) conditions, wear visibility can vary a lot within these narrow float ranges.

Pay Attention to Pattern Index

Market veterans often memorize these “golden” pattern numbers, and you should, too. Two identical CS2 fade percentages can have vastly different values based on their pattern numbers and the weapon to which they’re applied. To make things easier, just reference the table with the Full Fade skins we shared at the beginning of this article.

Buy Fade Skins on Secure Websites

The high value of Fade skins makes them prime targets for scammers. Stick to reputable marketplaces with proven track records. Steam Market remains the safest but most expensive option. Third-party sites can offer better deals but require extra caution.

As an alternative, you can try your luck with reputable CS2 case-opening websites like Hellcase. Whether you’re looking for your first Fade skin or adding to your collection, Hellcase has a lot of exclusive cases featuring Fade skins with fair odds.

Wrapping Up!

Whew, exploring all of the secrets of the Fade skins took some time, but the journey was worth it. The value of these skins lies in their details, pattern numbers, and float values, and we provided all the tools (including the free CS2 Fade pattern checker) for you to make an informed decision and calculate a skin’s Fade percentage easily.

Explore our blog for a bunch of exciting content, like guides on CS2 knife patterns or, well, any CS2 skin patterns! For example, did you know that there’s a CS:GO Case Hardened pattern that costs over 2 million euros? We’ve actually covered it in our article about the most expensive CS2 knife patterns. Come check it out!

FAQ

The Karambit | Fade “True 90/10” is considered to be the rarest Fade skin in CS2, alongside the Glock-18 | Fade “Absolute Max” pattern.

While any Fade percentage above 85% is decent, the sweet spot is 95%+. Still, anything above 90% is considered valuable. For reference, the lowest fade percentage is around 80%, and the highest is 100%.

Float value (0.00-0.08) affects the skin’s wear visibility but doesn’t impact the Fade percentage. However, a lower float means cleaner looks, especially for knife corners, and it does affect the skin’s price.

100% Fade means maximum color coverage with perfect gradient distribution, showing the least amount of gray throughout the weapon. These patterns have specific pattern numbers and are the most valuable variants of each Fade skin.

Fade is an iconic gradient finish in CS2 that combines purple, pink, and yellow colors in varying patterns. It’s relatively rare, and some of its variants are extremely valuable.

The fade percentage indicates how much of the weapon is covered by the colorful (purple, pink, yellow) gradient versus gray areas. It goes from 80% to 100% (110% for some skins like Falchion). Higher percentages mean more vibrant colors and less gray.

There’s no such thing as a “number 0 Fade” in CS2, as Fade percentages start from 80% in CS2.

Due to its unique handle coverage, the Falchion Knife can achieve 110% Fade, the highest possible Fade percentage in CS2.

Full Fade means 100% color coverage with optimal pattern distribution, representing the most valuable variant.

A Karambit | Fade typically starts at $3,500 and can go up to several thousand dollars for perfect patterns like 100% True Fade in factory-new condition.

The CS2’s Karambit | Fade comes with 1,000 possible pattern variations (patterns 1-1000), and very few are known as Full Fade patterns. Its rarity, combined with its distinctive look, makes it one of CS2’s most prestigious skins.

You can find Karambit Fade in premium Hellcase knife cases like Shiny Knives, Prince, and Fall Hazard (extra points for understanding the reference).

Karambit |Fade is extremely rare, with very low chances of being unboxed from a case. Getting a specific pattern like the “True 90/10” is almost impossible.

Butterfly Knife | Fade is one of the most expensive skins in CS2, starting around $5,000 for basic patterns, while Full Fade versions with low float can sell for $10,000 and more.

Butterfly Knife | Fade percentages range from 80% to 100%. The most desirable variants feature prominent purple tips and clean color transitions.

Check out Hellcase’s Premium knife cases like Samsara Case and Fucanlong Case for Butterfly Fade | Fade skins.

AWP | Fade typically costs between $800-$3,000, depending on pattern and float. Market timing’s important, too. It’s one of the most popular AWP skins in CS2.

The AWP Fade is a Covert-grade skin with about a 0.64% drop rate from its collection, but unboxing a Full Fade pattern is significantly rarer.

You can find Talon Fade | Fade in Hellcase’s Shiny Knives and Dignitary cases.

Shadow Daggers | Fade typically start around $200-300, making them one of the more affordable Fade knives.

Most collectors consider the Butterfly Knife | Fade (100% True Fade) and Karambit “True 90/10” as the top choices. These knives combine perfect patterns, pretty iconic designs, and the highest market values.

(责任编辑：spectrum 2 case)