Introduction
When it comes to CS2 skins, most people tend to go for flashy knives, gloves, and rifles. However, the humble starting weapons also deserve some love. They are what you spawn with, what you use on full save rounds, and what you start almost every half with. No inventory is complete without a good starting pistol skin, so in this article, we’ll take a look at the best Glock skins in CS2.
As with all of our guides, we combine all skin conditions in order to have as much variety as possible in the guide.
Our Data
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. This means that you can ask 10 different people which Glock skins are the best and receive 10 different answers. There are countless tier lists online with people’s subjective opinions, so we’ve chosen to go a different route and use professional player data.
What you see in this list are the most used CS2 Glock skins in the pro scene. Obviously, that doesn’t mean that this list is the best one out there. As we said: these things are subjective. This is just a different approach to ranking Glock skins.
Before we begin, it should be noted that this list is not investment advice. Pros have some influence on skin prices (popular pros using a certain skin can make the price go up a bit) but this article is meant for fun. Investing in CS2 skins is not without risks, so always do your own research before buying CS2 skins for investment purposes.
Glock Fade
Most of the game’s iconic skins are rifle skins, but the Glock Fade is an exception to that. If you ask people to name 10 CS skins, odds are that the Glock Fade will be among them. It has been the ‘holy grail’ Glock skin for over a decade now, and if we consider that it’s only getting rarer, this is probably not going to change.
The Fade pattern is synonymous with CS2, and while it’s perhaps not a truly S tier skin finish anymore (newer finishes like the Dopplers have surpassed it for a lot of people) it’s without a doubt still a finish with a ton of street cred.
The mentioned exclusivity of course also helps. The Glock Fade is part of the Assault collection, which is no longer active. This means that the number of Glock Fades in the game is severely limited, driving up the price significantly. Expect to pay at least $1,350 if you want to get your hands on one of these. That’s eye-wateringly expensive, but that’s the price you have to pay for one of the most iconic skins in the game. Note that higher fade patterns usually cost more, although the difference isn’t as big as it is on Fade knives.
Fun fact: the Glock Fade is one of the most popular skins in the pro scene across all weapons. At the time of writing, it’s the second most popular skin overall.
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PistolsGlock-18 | Fade (Factory New)
Glock Water Elemental
If you’re looking for an OG Glock skin on a budget, this could be it. The Water Elemental has been in the game for over a decade at this point, and it’s safe to say that it was ahead of its time.
The deep red hues that make up the background of the skin look beautiful even by today’s standards, and the playful water elemental on top gives a nice contrast.
Some might say that the Water Elemental owes its popularity to a certain nostalgia factor. Others say that it’s still one of the best Glock skins in the game. We tend to say it’s both.
It’s iconic, looks great, has flashy colors (something that pros seem to like), and doesn’t burn a gaping hole in your wallet. You can’t go wrong with this one.
A Factory New Water Elemental goes for around $13. StatTrak versions are quite a bit more expensive, with a Factory New one costing around $50.
Glock Candy Apple
Sometimes, simplicity is key. The Glock Candy Apple is a great example of that. This skin was released way back in 2013 and has had a cult following for its entire lifespan.
In terms of looks, it’s just a simple Glock with a racecar-like matte red finish.
Obviously, that can get boring quite fast if you’re an enjoyer of intricate designs, but gamers who like simplicity absolutely love the Candy Apple. Due to its extremely neutral design, it’s also a great Glock for sticker crafts. And now that stickers can be placed anywhere, you can get really creative with skins like these.
The best part is that the Glock Candy Apple is extremely affordable. You can get a Factory New version for around a dollar. That’s less than the price of an actual Candy Apple.
Glock Vogue
The Vaporwave aesthetic is extremely popular right now, so it perhaps shouldn’t be a surprise to see the Glock Vogue on this list.
This skin combines those beloved 80s Miami colors with a set of captivating drawn eyes in pop art style. These eyes remind us of 1984’s all-watching eyes, but they could also come right out of an old timey fashion magazine (hence the skin’s name).
Whatever you make of it, it’s a very alluring skin to a lot of people. In some ways, it can be considered as the polar opposite of the Neo-Noir skins. Those also feature drawn characters with pink accents, but the dominant color on Neo-Noir skins is black and white. So, if you like that style and want a bit more color, this is a good one to go for.
This skin could easily be a covert skin (see our article on CS2 skin rarities) if you ask us, but it’s not. This means that it’s available at relatively low prices. A Factory New one will set you back around $10, while a StatTrak Factory new one costs just over $20.
Glock Gamma Doppler (Emerald)
Pros like rare stuff, and Emeralds are among the rarest skins in the game. As such, it’s no surprise to see the Emerald Gamma Doppler make the list.
In case you’re not aware: Gamma Doppler skins have randomized patterns. Some have more blue on them, others have more green on them, and so on. These patterns are divided into four main phases: Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Some phases are more desirable in the community than others, but generally speaking one isn’t more unique than another.
But there’s also a special, much rarer category, and that’s the Emerald. This is pretty much completely green, with little to no dark spots in it. This results in a very ‘deep’ looking skin that reacts to light in interesting ways. Unlike the other phases, which have different colors and tints in them, an Emerald looks extremely pure.
Emeralds are by far the rarest Gamma Doppler patterns, and that shows in the price. A Factory New Emerald Glock costs around $500. For comparison, a Factory New Phase 2 Glock will set you back around $90.
Luckily, Emerald Glocks come in all conditions. If you’re not bothered by a scratched appearance, you can pick up a Field-Tested Emerald for around $170.
Glock Neo Noir
As we said when we discussed the Glock Vogue: if you want a drawn, artsier Glock with some more muted background colors, this is one for you.
The Neo-Noir line is one of the most popular skin lines in all of Counter-Strike, with no less than 5 different weapons that feature a Neo-Noir finish.
People really love that combination of white, black, and a subtle hues of magenta and neon blue. And while these skins can seem a little busy during gameplay, there’s no denying that the actual art on them looks fantastic.
The Glock version features a woman lying down. The official flavor text reads the following: ‘things were starting to turn and she began to feel hope—then she looked up’. What she saw up there is up to the reader’s interpretation, but we love the fact that these skins tell a story of themselves.
Due to its Covert status and popularity, the Glock Neo Noir is a more expensive skin. A Factory New one will set you back around $50. StatTrak versions go for a lot more: expect to pay around $200 for a Factory New one.
Glock Twilight Galaxy
Over the course of CS:GO’s lifespan, the Twilight Galaxy was pretty much ignored. This collection skin looked unassuming, and with its darker colors it automatically had a smaller potential audience than flashier alternatives.
When CS2 launched, this gun got a huge buff to its looks, which pretty much immediately skyrocketed its popularity.
On the slide, there’s a sparkly metallic finish that plays really nicely with different light sources. Additionally, the gun is also an excellent choice for more neutral inventories due to its lack of intricate designs or patterns.
The Twilight Galaxy is a sleeper hit, and a great choice for people who like a little bling but don’t want to go overboard. It can be bought for around $190 in Factory New.
Conclusion
Glock skins are often neglected by players. Undeservedly so, if you ask us. There are some really great Glock skins out there, and due to the fact that it’s a pistol and not a rifle, glove, or knife, they can often be picked up for relatively affordable prices.
This list has a bit of everything in it, from top tier super rare skins to OG skins that can (even today) be bought for less than $25. No matter your budget or stylistic preferences: odds are you’ll find some inspiration in this list.
