All Fade Patterns in CS2: Complete Guide

what Fade patterns are

Fade skins are some of the most recognizable and iconic in all of Counter-Strike 2. First introduced in the very first weapon case, they've remained to this day a symbol of elegance, rarity, and prestige. Despite their age, the metallic gradient shimmer continues to impress collectors and fans of visual aesthetics. In this guide, we’ll go into detail about what Fade patterns are, what Full Fade means, what gradient percentages exist, and which patterns are considered the best for each weapon.

"1. All Fade Patterns in CS2: Complete Guide","1.1. What Is Fade in CS2","1.2. How Fade Patterns Work","1.3. What Is Full Fade","1.4. Fade Gloves","1.5. Rarity and Value of Fade Patterns","1.6. How to Spot a Real Full Fade","1.7. Why Full Fade Is More Than Just Rarity","1.8. Why Fade Is a True Legend","1.9. Conclusion"

What Is Fade in CS2

Fade is one of the original skins introduced back in the CS:GO era. Its main feature is a smooth metallic gradient transitioning from yellow and orange to pink and purple shades. The effect is created by a unique texture known as a pattern, which determines how each individual skin looks.

Every time Valve adds a new knife to the game, there’s almost always a Fade version released alongside it. It has become a kind of “tradition” within Counter-Strike. However, with firearms, the situation is different — not every weapon gets a gradient version. At the moment, there are only seven such guns:

  • R8 Revolver | Fade

  • M4A1-S | Fade

  • AWP | Fade

  • UMP-45 | Fade

  • MP7 | Fade

  • Glock-18 | Fade

  • MAC-10 | Fade

The oldest of these is the Glock-18 Fade, which appeared in 2013; the newest one is the M4A1-S Fade, which was added by Valve in October 2024.

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How Fade Patterns Work

how Fade pattern work

Every Fade skin has its own Pattern ID — a unique number that determines which part of the texture is displayed on the model. This ID defines how much gray or metallic tone will appear on the weapon’s surface.

Patterns are classified by gradient coverage percentage, ranging from 80% to 100%.

  • 80% Fade — a noticeable amount of gray; the gradient is partial.

  • 90–95% Fade — purple and pink tones dominate, but a small gray area remains.

  • 99–100% Fade (Full Fade) — gray color is absent or nearly invisible; the entire surface is covered in a vibrant gradient.

The general rule is simple:The closer to 100%, the more expensive the skin.

What Is Full Fade

Full Fade is the ideal pattern variant, where the model has no gray color at all, and the entire blade or weapon body is coated with a bright, clean gradient.

These skins are extremely rare. Usually, only a few specific pattern IDs come close to 100%, and just one of them is considered the “true” Full Fade.

For example:

  • A regular Glock-18 Fade might cost around $2,000,

  • while a Full Fade pattern version can go for $10,000 or more.

It’s not just about looks — it’s a status symbol. Owners of Full Fade skins often see them as an investment, as their rarity and price tend to increase steadily over time.

Fade Gloves

A special place is held by Specialist Gloves | Fade — gloves featuring a similar gradient pattern. Unlike knives or guns, gloves do not have a strict percentage-based system of patterns. However, players and collectors evaluate them visually, focusing on color intensity and gradient balance.

The same rule applies: the fewer dull tones and the brighter the pink-purple areas, the more valuable the gloves.

Particularly popular are Fade combos — matching knives and gloves that complement each other perfectly. For example:

  • Karambit Fade #412

  • Specialist Gloves Fade #490

Together they create an almost perfect visual combination — both in inspection mode and during gameplay. Naturally, such a set carries a hefty price tag.

Rarity and Value of Fade Patterns

Not all Fade skins CS2 are the same — even if they look almost identical. Within each collection, there are dozens of patterns, but only a handful produce a perfectly smooth gradient without any gray zones. These rare examples are highly prized among traders and collectors.

The value of a Fade skin depends on three key factors:

  1. Gradient depth.
     The fewer metallic shades and the smoother the transition from yellow to purple, the higher the value.

  2. Color distribution.
     For knives like the Karambit, Talon, or Butterfly, not only saturation matters but also the balance between the blade and handle. A dark handle or a gray blade tip can reduce the value by hundreds of dollars.

  3. Match with “ideal” community patterns.
     The community maintains databases of verified pattern IDs. However, some players prefer unique, non-standard variations — for instance, those with a stronger purple dominance. These “alternative full fades” can sometimes be even more expensive than classic ones.

Examples:

  • A Karambit Fade with a purple tip may cost more than a standard gradient.

  • An AWP Fade with a fully pink barrel is known as a “Pink Full Fade” and can reach thousands of dollars in value.

How to Spot a Real Full Fade

Since CS2 Fade skins often sell for tens of thousands of dollars, the market is full of “almost full” patterns that look perfect but technically aren’t 100%.

Here’s how to identify a true Full Fade:

  • Check the color intensity under full lighting.
     A real Full Fade reflects light uniformly, with no gray or dull metal patches.

  • Compare with verified pattern databases.
     Each knife and weapon has officially recognized pattern IDs confirmed by traders (for example, #412 for Karambit, #374 for M4A1-S, and so on).

  • Inspect the color transition near the handle.
     Fake Full Fades often have small gray or brownish areas at the base — the clearest indicator of an incomplete gradient.

  • Don’t rely solely on screenshots.
     Many sellers enhance brightness or saturation to make their Fade look cleaner. Always verify the actual model through trusted sites or CS2 float databases before purchase.

Why Full Fade Is More Than Just Rarity

Unlike most other skins, Fade doesn’t lose its visual appeal over time. Even years after its introduction, these gradients continue to rise in price. The reason is simple: Valve no longer releases new “pure” gradients, and existing Full Fades are increasingly locked away in private collections.

Players now treat Full Fade as an investment — its value grows year after year, especially for knives like Karambit, Butterfly, M9 Bayonet, and Talon.

Collectors are willing to pay extra for:

  • Matching pattern and float values (e.g. Karambit Fade 100% | 0.00x Float);

  • Perfect visual glove combos (e.g. Specialist Gloves Fade);

  • Rare IDs that appear on the market only once in several years.

Why Fade Is a True Legend

Fade skins in CS2 are not just beautiful — they’re a piece of Counter-Strike history. Since the first Glock Fade released in 2013, these gradients have become synonymous with style, prestige, and rarity.

They are ideal for collectors, traders, and players who want to stand out-not just because of skill, but also of visual sophistication. The Full Fade patterns are essentially like the diamonds of CS2-a mix of artistry, precision, and luck.

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Conclusion

Fade is more than a skin; it's a visual masterpiece that turned out to be a real icon for Counter-Strike 2. Each pattern is unique, and Full Fade stands as the peak of collectible rarity.

If you decide to acquire a gradient skin, always check its pattern ID — you might just be holding a genuine Full Fade, one of the most beautiful and valuable gradients in CS2 history.