🌈 What is the Glock-18 Fade?
The Glock-18 | Fade is one of the most expensive pistol skins in CS2, at ~$1,491 in Factory New today. Released in mid-2013 as part of the Assault Collection, it was one of the earliest skins introduced to CS:GO and has only grown in prestige and value over the past decade.
The skin features a stunning gradient effect that transitions through red, pink, purple, blue, and yellow tones across the weapon's slide and body. What makes the Fade truly special is that not all copies are equal — each Glock Fade has a fade percentage determined by its Pattern Index, and the difference between a low fade and a Full Fade (100%) can mean thousands of dollars.
Flavor Text: "This isn't just a gun, it's a conversation starter"
This guide covers:
- Assault Collection origins and why the collection is discontinued
- Fade percentages explained — how to identify 80%, 90%, 95%, and 100% fades
- Top pattern seeds for Full Fade and Absolute Max patterns
- Wear & float breakdown with pricing
- Investment outlook and why supply is permanently capped
🔎 Check Current Glock Fade Prices
Compare live Glock-18 | Fade prices across 40+ marketplaces on SteamAnalyst. Use the Fade % finder to check the fade percentage of any Pattern Index.
Featured: Glock-18 | Fade
Each Glock Fade has a fade percentage determined by its Pattern Index, and the best fades sell for more than average copies.
Live price: $1,491 (Factory New), $2,237 (Minimal Wear), $2,512 (Souvenir Factory New). A 99–100% fade has recently sold for about +26% over an ordinary Factory New copy (≈ $1,874 today).
📊 Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Weapon | Glock-18 |
| Collection | The Assault Collection |
| Rarity | Restricted |
| Float range | 0.00 – 0.08 (Factory New – Minimal Wear) |
| Wears available | Factory New, Minimal Wear |
| StatTrak | No |
| Souvenir | Yes |
| Released | Mid-2013 |
| Collection status | Not in the active drop pool |
| Factory New price (live) | $1,491 |
📜 History & Why It's Legendary
The Assault Collection
The Glock Fade was introduced with the Assault Collection in 2013, one of CS:GO's original map-based collections. The Assault Collection has since been discontinued — it no longer drops in-game, meaning no new Glock Fade skins can enter the market through random drops.
Why It's So Valuable
- Discontinued collection — No new supply through drops
- Iconic gradient — The Fade finish is one of the most recognizable in CS
- Pattern variation — Fade percentage creates a tiered value system
- OG prestige — One of the earliest skins, carrying historical significance
- Limited supply — No new plain copies enter the market through drops
🌈 Fade Percentage Guide
The most critical factor in Glock Fade valuation is the fade percentage — determined by the skin's Pattern Index (seed). Higher fade percentages mean more purple/pink coverage on the slide.
What Fade Percentage Is Worth
Premiums below are measured: the median price each fade band sold for on CSFloat, over CSFloat's price for an ordinary Factory New copy (September 2026). Glock samples are small, so the pooled figure for every Fade knife is shown beside it.
| Fade % | Glock-18 Fade (sales) | ≈ Price at today's FN | All Fade knives (sales) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99–100% | +26% (6) | $1,874 | +17% (93) |
| 96–99% | +10% (3) | $1,640 | +9% (164) |
| 93–96% | +2% (4) | $1,526 | +2% (131) |
| 90–93% | −1% (9) | $1,477 | −1% (114) |
| Below 90% | −4% (18) | $1,428 | −3% (363) |
A top fade adds a real premium, but nowhere near the "2–3x" often quoted. See every recent fade sale on premium sales.
Understanding "Absolute Max" vs "Full Fade"
- Absolute Max — The absolute highest fade percentage possible. Purple takes over the entire slide with minimal to no other color visible. Extremely rare.
- Full Fade (100%) — Maximum practical coverage. Purple extends to the very tip. Highly desirable.
- Max Fade (98%) — Near-perfect coverage with a tiny yellow spot remaining. Still very premium.
🔢 Top Pattern Seeds
Best Fade Patterns
The 6 best Glock-18 seeds, computed with the same method CSFloat uses:
| Pattern Seed | Fade % |
|---|---|
| 763 | 100% (the best seed) |
| 575 | 99.9% |
| 897 | 99.9% |
| 636 | 99.9% |
| 341 | 99.9% |
| 93 | 99.9% |
⚠️ Pattern Verification
Always verify the Pattern Index before purchasing a Glock Fade, especially at premium prices. Enter the seed in the Fade % finder to see its exact fade percentage and render. Going by the measured medians above, a 99–100% copy sells for roughly $347 more than a 93–96% one at today's price.
🎨 Wear & Float Guide
The Glock Fade has a uniquely tight float range — it only exists in Factory New and Minimal Wear conditions.
| Condition | Float Range | Price | Souvenir | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Factory New | 0.00 – 0.07 | $1,491 | $2,512 | Most copies trade here; price depends on fade % |
| Minimal Wear | 0.07 – 0.08 | $2,237 | — | Extremely tight 0.07–0.08 range; few copies trade |
Because the MW range is only 0.07–0.08, Minimal Wear Glock Fades look virtually identical to Factory New — but because so few exist, they trade rarely and their price can sit above Factory New (as it does today). Check listings before assuming MW is the cheaper option. The primary value driver is fade percentage, not wear condition.
📈 Price History & Investment Outlook
Historical Price Evolution
| Year | Event | Approx. Price (avg. fade FN) |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Release with Assault Collection | ~$11 |
| 2015–2016 | Early appreciation | ~$100 – $200 |
| 2018–2019 | Steady growth | ~$400 – $600 |
| 2022 | Market boom | ~$890 |
| 2023 | CS2 transition | ~$1,200 – $1,500 |
| 2025 | Steam Market sales | ~$1,950 – $2,700 (Steam prices run above third-party markets) |
| Today | Live, across marketplaces | $1,491 (FN) |
The Glock Fade has appreciated from roughly $11 at release to $1,491 in Factory New today, one of the strongest long-term returns of any skin in CS history.
🎯 Loadout Pairing Suggestions
Glove Pairings
| Gloves | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Specialist Gloves - Fade | Perfect match — Fade on Fade |
| Sport Gloves - Vice | Pink/purple tones complement the gradient |
| Moto Gloves - POW! | Colorful comic style matches the vibrant Fade |
Knife Pairings
| Knife | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Butterfly Knife - Fade | Full Fade loadout — Fade knife + Fade Glock |
| Karambit - Fade | Classic Fade pairing |
| Karambit - Doppler Ruby | Red gem finish complements the red end of the Fade gradient |
🔍 Compare Prices Across 40+ Marketplaces
Don't overpay — check real-time prices for every skin in this guide on SteamAnalyst. We aggregate pricing from Buff163, Skinport, CSFloat, DMarket, Steam Market, and more so you always get the best deal.
❓ Glock Fade FAQ
Why do some Glock Fades cost more than others?
The fade percentage, set by the Pattern Index, is the main difference between two Factory New copies. Measured over recent CSFloat sales (September 2026), a 99–100% Glock Fade sold for a median of about +26% over an ordinary copy (about $1,874 against today's $1,491 Factory New price), while copies below 90% sold slightly under it. The premium is real but far smaller than the "2–3x" often quoted.
Can I still get a Glock Fade as a drop?
Not as a regular drop: the Assault Collection is no longer in the active drop pool, so plain Glock Fades come from the market or trades. Souvenir Glock-18 Fades also exist and trade at a large premium over plain copies.
How do I check the fade percentage?
Enter the Pattern Index (paint seed) in the SteamAnalyst Fade % finder. It computes the fade percentage for the Glock-18 on the same scale CSFloat uses and shows the render for that seed.
Is the Glock Fade only available in FN and MW?
Yes. The Glock Fade's float range is 0.00 – 0.08, which means it can only exist in Factory New (0.00–0.07) and a very narrow Minimal Wear band (0.07–0.08). No FT, WW, or BS copies exist.
Check a seed in the Fade % finder, or compare Souvenir and plain prices on Souvenir premiums.
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