Image: PC Invasion

Best Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) cases to open

It's like gambling with extra steps.

Thomas Cunliffe

Published: Sep 30, 2023 10:31 pm

With so many cases to choose from in Counter-Strike 2, knowing which ones are worth your hard-earned money can be tricky. While it’s doubtful that any crate is going to contain next month’s rent, nothing beats the feeling of unboxing a weapon worth a profit or a skin for your favorite gun. In this article, we look at the best CS2 cases to open in 2023 based on factors like profitability, popularity, and quality.

Best cases to open in Counter-Strike 2

Revolution Case

Image: PC Invasion, Valve

Revolution is the perfect case for players looking to spruce up their skin collection. From the most common to the rarest, every weapon featured in Revolution cases is phenomenal, and it’s difficult to be disappointed with whatever you happen to find inside. Not only does every weapon look good, but this case covers CS2’s most popular weapons.

The anime-themed Temukau M4A4 is one of my dream weapons and has proven popular on the Steam Community Market. There’s also the chance at unboxing gloves if you prefer collecting them instead of knives.

Contents of Revolution can include:

MAG-7 | Insomnia
MP9 | Featherweight
SCAR-20 | Fragments
P250 | Re.built
MP5-SD | Liquidation
SG 553 | Cyberforce
Tec-9 | Rebel
M4A1-S | Emphorosaur-S
Glock-18 | Umbral Rabbit
MAC-10 | Sakkaku
R8 Revolver | Banana Cannon
P90 | Neoqueen
AWP | Duality
UMP-45 | Wild Child
P2000 | Wicked Sick
M4A4 | Temukau
AK-47 | Head Shot
Exceedingly Rare Gloves

Dreams & Nightmares Case

Image: PC Invasion, Valve

At the time of publishing, Dreams & Nightmares is the most popular case in Counter-Strike 2. Designed by the community, the rare weapons in this crate are flashy, bright, and colorful. Every CS player knows you have to look good to play good, resulting in the rarest pieces in the Dreams & Nightmares collection fetching a decent price.

Related: The 3 best CS2 crosshairs

You aren’t likely to pull a constant profit by opening a myriad of Dreams & Nightmares cases, but there’s a good chance you’ll pull a weapon that doesn’t look half-bad. My personal favorites are the Melondrama Dual Berettas and the Nightwish AK-47.

Contents of Dreams & Nightmares can include:

Five-SeveN | Scrawl
MAC-10 | Ensnared
MAG-7 | Foresight
MP5-SD | Necro Jr.
P2000 | Lifted Spirits
SCAR-20 | Poultrygeist
Sawed-Off | Spirit Board
PP-Bizon | Space Cat
G3SG1 | Dream Glade
M4A1-S | Night Terror
XM1014 | Zombie Offensive
USP-S | Ticket to Hell
Dual Berettas | Melondrama
FAMAS | Rapid Eye Movement
MP7 | Abyssal Apparition
AK-47 | Nightwish
MP9 | Starlight Protector
Exceedingly Rare Special Item

CS:GO Weapons Case 2

Image: PC Invasion, Valve

CS:GO Weapon Case 2 isn’t comparatively cheap, but the weapons it contains have the best average price of any case on the market at the time of publishing. Most of the rarest guns aren’t worth a fortune, but it’s a relatively safe investment with the chance at some great-looking weapons. I love Case Hardened weapons, and the Five SeveN looks absolutely incredible when customized with stickers.

Contents of CS:GO Weapons Case 2 can include:

Tec-9 | Blue Titanium
M4A1-S | Blood Tiger
FAMAS | Hexane
P250 | Hive
SCAR-20 | Crimson Web
Five-SeveN | Case Hardened
MP9 | Hypnotic
Nova | Graphite
Dual Berettas | Hemoglobin
P90 | Cold Blooded
USP-S | Serum
SSG 08 | Blood in the Water
Exceedingly Rare Special Item

Chroma 2 Case

Image: PC Invasion, Valve

Chroma 2 Case is full of gorgeous weapons, even down to the most common. If you’re new to Counter-Strike or case opening, the Chroma 2 is affordable and can bring some life to your guns. The neon look of both red weapons, the Hyper Beast M4A1-S and Neon Rider MAC-10, are absolutely phenomenal and really stand out against CS2’s scenery.

Contents of Chroma 2 Case can include:

AK-47 | Elite Build
MP7 | Armor Core
Desert Eagle | Bronze Deco
P250 | Valence
Negev | Man-o’-war
Sawed-Off | Origami
AWP | Worm God
MAG-7 | Heat
CZ75-Auto | Pole Position
UMP-45 | Grand Prix
Five-SeveN | Monkey Business
Galil AR | Eco
FAMAS | Djinn
M4A1-S | Hyper Beast
MAC-10 | Neon Rider
Exceedingly Rare Special Item

Operation Breakout Case

Image: PC Invasion, Valve

Operation Breakout‘s skins are among some of my favorites, with bright colors and interesting decals. Notably, it’s one of the only cases that can contain a butterfly knife. While we can’t emphasize enough how significantly low the chances are of receiving one, we also can’t deny just how gorgeous they are with CS2’s fancy new graphics.

Contents of Operation Breakout can include:

MP7 | Urban Hazard
Negev | Desert-Strike
P2000 | Ivory
SSG 08 | Abyss
UMP-45 | Labyrinth
PP-Bizon | Osiris
CZ75-Auto | Tigris
Nova | Koi
P250 | Supernova
Desert Eagle | Conspiracy
Five-SeveN | Fowl Play
Glock-18 | Water Elemental
P90 | Asiimov
M4A1-S | Cyrex
Exceedingly Rare Butterfly Knife

How to get cases in Counter-Strike 2

Upon ranking up for the first time each week in CS2, players will receive a free case drop, as well as another free goodie. Which case you get is entirely random, and you’ll also need to purchase its key in order to open it.

Alternatively, you can buy other players’ cases from the Steam Community Market. Remember to factor in that you also need to pay for the crate key, as well as the cash you’re splashing on the box itself.

Are CS2 cases worth it?

If you’re looking directly at profit, the majority of cases you open in Counter-Strike 2 will result in a loss. Even with the best ROI cases, you’ll lose around 65% of your money on average. While it may be tempting to open as many cases as possible after seeing content creators pull skins worth the price of a car, the odds are that you won’t come out on top.

That being said, opening crates can be fun, and the excitement of pulling a rare weapon is exhilarating. Never spend more than you can afford; value the entertainment rather than the price they pull on the Steam Community Market. Stay safe, and the best of luck on your next opening.