How the Item Drop System Works in CS2

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The new item drop system in Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) is a significant update compared to previous versions of the game. Valve has made changes to the reward mechanisms to balance the game's economy, give players more choices, and potentially reduce the scale of account farming. In this article, we'll take a detailed look at how the CS2  drop system works, what items can drop, and how this might affect the game's economy and the community as a whole.

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The Importance of a Prime Account

First of all, it's worth noting that only Prime account holders have access to weekly item drops in CS2. A Prime account offers advantages, such as playing with other Prime account holders, which reduces the chances of encountering cheaters and inactive players. However, with the introduction of the new drop system, Prime has become even more important, as only these account holders can receive weekly rewards.

If you don't have Prime, the game won't allow you to receive drops. This information can be checked by hovering over your profile in the game. Therefore, purchasing Prime has become even more necessary for those who want to receive items and earn money by selling cases and skins on the Steam marketplace.

Updated Drop System

In the new drop system, players receive a reward for completing certain conditions. The main requirement is accumulating 5,000 experience points and leveling up your private rank. Once a player fills the experience bar, the game provides the option to choose from four offered slots, each containing different types of drops—these could be skins, graffiti, or a case. However, out of the four options, players can only select two, which are immediately added to their inventory.

Previously, the drop system was simpler and more automated. Players would receive a drop after each level up, with the game deciding what item to award. It could be a case, a skin, or graffiti, and players had no choice. Now, players have the opportunity to choose what they want to receive, although this doesn't guarantee getting the most valuable item—a case.

Impact on Case Prices

One of the interesting consequences of the new drop system in CS2 has been the change in case prices. Since not all players choose cases, preferring skins or graffiti instead, the number of available cases on the market has decreased. This has already started to drive up prices. Unlike skins, which may be less financially beneficial, cases often sell for higher prices, especially if they belong to popular or rare series.

However, it's worth noting that the chance of getting a case still depends on randomness. In some instances, a case may not be among the offered drop options, forcing players to choose other items. This adds an element of uncertainty and may lead to further price increases for cases, especially rare and popular series.

Case Drop System

The case drop system in CS2 is divided into two main pools: the active pool and the rare pool. The active pool consists of recently added cases, and the chance of getting one is around 20%. The active pool usually includes the last five cases added to the game, although there are exceptions. This makes new cases more accessible to players, which can lead to their popularity and, ultimately, increased prices in the secondary market.

The rare pool includes all other cases, and the chance of getting them ranges from 2% to 51%. This pool contains cases that have not been added to the game for a long time but are still available for drop. Some of these cases can be extremely rare and expensive, making them especially attractive to collectors and traders.

Interestingly, the game also includes sticker capsules, which can drop with extremely low probability. These items are also part of the rare pool and represent an additional drop element that may be valuable to players collecting sticker sets.

Availability and Rarity of Skins

As for weapon skins, they can drop with varying degrees of rarity. CS2 features six main rarity categories: consumer grade, industrial grade, mil-spec, restricted, classified, and covert. The higher the skin's rarity, the lower the chance of obtaining it. Additionally, there are unique skins, such as contraband, which are no longer available for drop, except in extremely rare cases.

Knives and gloves hold a special place, belonging to the rarest category of items. They can only drop from cases and cannot be obtained through regular post-match drops. These items have always been and remain some of the most expensive and sought-after on the marketplace, explained by their uniqueness and limited availability.

Skins that drop from cases can only be obtained through case openings with a key, while skins from map collections are available through weekly drops. This separation adds an additional strategic element for players trying to collect specific sets or obtain their desired skin.

The Return of Old Collections

Interestingly, some CS2 skins that previously dropped in the game are now unavailable through drops. This is due to map updates and collection replacements. For example, skins from old operation cases or tournament-related cases can no longer be obtained through standard drops. However, there's a chance that Valve might bring back these collections or add new ones in the future, which could reignite interest in certain skins and collections.

Fighting Account Farming

One of the key aspects of the new drop system in CS2 is its focus on combating account farming. Previously, farmers could simply leave their accounts active on special servers, and the game would automatically award drops without requiring player participation. With the new system, where active gameplay and experience accumulation are required, this approach no longer works.

Now, farmers are forced to use special programs that simulate gameplay and earn kills to gain experience. However, Valve is actively combating these programs, and their use can lead to account bans. Steam's rules explicitly state that the use of such programs is prohibited, and the company has intensified its efforts to prevent farming, maintaining the fairness and balance of the drop system.

Possible Changes in the Future

Although the new CS2 drop system has already brought significant changes to the game and the CS2 economy, there's a possibility that Valve will continue to make adjustments in future updates. New rules or mechanics may be introduced that further alter the drop system. For example, new item types, updated collections, or changed drop conditions might be introduced.

Players should keep an eye on news and updates to stay informed of any changes. This will help them better adapt to new conditions and efficiently use their resources to obtain the desired items.

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Conclusion

The new item drop system in CS2 represents a significant update that affects both the gameplay process and the item economy. The introduction of the drop selection system, the dependence on Prime accounts, and new reward rules have changed players' approach to obtaining and selling items. At the same time, the fight against account farming and potential future changes add an element of unpredictability, making the game even more interesting and engaging.

In any case, if you want to receive drops and profit from them, be prepared to actively play, follow updates, and adapt to the new game conditions.