Battle-Scarred vs. Factory New: How Wear Level Affects Case Opening ROI

Opening cases in CS2 is not just a game of luck, but also a potential way to get rare and valuable skins. However, not everyone realizes that the cost of a skin is affected not only by its rarity and appearance, but also by the level of wear hidden in the float value. That is why, if you consider cases as an investment, it is important to understand how the wear of a skin affects its market value and the overall profitability of opening cases.

What Is a Float Value And How Does it Work?

Each skin in CS2 has its own unique float value. This is a decimal number from 0.00 to 1.00, which determines the degree of visual wear. When opening a case, this parameter cannot be selected manually, as it is assigned randomly when the skin drops and directly affects its appearance and value.

Skins are divided into the following wear categories:

• Factory New (0.00 – 0.07) – these are skins with a completely new appearance.
• Minimal Wear (0.07 – 0.15) – these are skins that have almost imperceptible wear.
• Field-Tested (0.15 – 0.38) – these are skins with moderate wear, they have visible abrasions.
• Well-Worn (0.38 – 0.45) – these are skins with noticeable wear, they have scratches, and the detailing of the drawing may be faded.
• Battle-Scarred (0.45 – 1.00) – these are skins with significant wear, the design of which may be almost erased or darkened.

The float value indicator not only affects the appearance of the CS2 skin, but also determines its market value on the marketplace or among traders.

What Float Value Skin Can You Get When Opening a Case?

The exact formula for the drop of skins with different float values ​​when opening a case remains hidden, but based on the analysis of millions of CS2 skins, we can identify approximate probabilities of getting skins of different degrees of wear.

The rarest condition is Factory New with a float value from 0.00 to 0.07. The chance of getting such a skin is about 3%. This means that only one out of thirty dropped skins, on average, will be in perfect condition, without visible damage.

Skins in the Minimal Wear condition with a float value from 0.07 to 0.15 are more likely to be received by players. The chance is 24%. They look almost like new, and the difference in price with Factory New can be insignificant for some skins, especially popular ones.

The most common category is Field-Tested skins with a float value from 0.15 to 0.38. The chance of getting such a skin when opening a case is about 33%, which makes it the most common option among drops.

The chance of getting a skin in Well-Worn condition with a float value of 0.38 to 0.45 is about 24%. Some skins look good with such wear, they can look more unusual, with history.

Finally, the probability of getting skins in Battle-Scarred condition with a float value of 0.45 to 1.00 is 16%. Since they have the most pronounced damage and visual defects, their price is the lowest. Despite this, some collectible or specific skins in this condition can be valuable. A high float value can give them a dirty or vintage look.

Why Is Float Value Important For Investing?

Even if you are lucky and get a Covert-class AWP skin when opening a case, its float value can completely change the situation. For example, the cost of AWP | Hyper Beast can reach about $80 for the Factory New version. The same skin but in Battle Scarred condition costs about $25. The difference in price is quite noticeable.

The same applies to other CS2 skins, as well as knives and gloves. The lower the float, the higher the demand for such skins from collectors and traders, which makes them especially valuable for further resale.

Is It Worth Buying CS2 Cases?

If you consider opening cases as a form of entertainment, then buying cases can bring pleasure and rare finds. However, in terms of financial gain, this activity can be quite risky. It is recommended to choose profitable CS2 cases with a high ROI, where the received skins can pay off the investment.

Understanding your expected case ROI—the average return you might get based on drop rates, skin values, and float distributions—can help you make smarter decisions before opening cases or buying them in bulk. Knowing which cases have a higher probability of yielding valuable skins in better conditions (like Factory New or Minimal Wear) is essential for maximizing your potential return.

To Conclude!

Wear level and float value are important factors that can make a CS2 skin a real find or, on the contrary, a reason for disappointment. Despite the rarity of expensive and clean skins, most drops are skins with medium or heavy wear. Therefore, when receiving a drop or if you want to sell a skin, it is important to pay attention to the float value. This can significantly increase the price of the skin.