Skins in CS2 are released in collections, which usually have a common theme and design features. Their release is often tied to major updates, operational launches or important esports events, and to date there are already more than thirty of them. Since each collection includes finish options for different guns, this is a great option if you want to build an inventory that has a common style. To understand which collections to pay attention to first, it is useful to understand what they are and how they differ.
Varieties of collections
All collections in CS2 can be divided into several groups that differ in availability.
- Operation collections are available only for a limited period, and after that the skins that belong to them stop dropping. Consequently, now the items included in them can only be purchased on the Community Marketplace or on third-party resources such as Lis-Skins.com. Some collections remain available as souvenir packs or may drop for players who pay to participate in an active operation.
- Active collections include skins that can drop as weekly rewards. There are eight collections in this category, such as The Italy, The Train and The Safehouse. The list was last updated in 2018, when collections named 2018 Inferno and 2018 Nuke were added to it.
- Inactive collections are not available through the weekly drop system. The skins they contain can be obtained by opening souvenir cases or purchased from other players.
The Anubis Collection
«Anubis» deserves its own section as this collection was released in April 2023 and most of the designs in it are somehow related to the ancient Egyptian theme. It got its name in honor of the Anubis map, which was returned to the competitive map pool. In the design of skins there are a variety of images – from the mummy bandages on the Tec-9 Mummy's Rot to the 3D map of the Nile on the AWP Black Nile. In any case, if you are looking for a collection of skins with a common theme, this is a great option.
It is worth noting that the skins from this collection were also not included in the weekly drop system. To get the skins that are included in it, you will need to buy souvenir packs in the in-game store.
No matter what style you prefer, among the many collections of skins in CS2 you will certainly find something suitable. In addition, by understanding their varieties, you can better understand which skins are becoming valuable and rare, and therefore represent a promising investment.
