CS 2 Armory Pass: Price, Best Rewards, and Earning Armory Credits Easily

Counter-Strike 2 has received a major update called The Armory, which introduced an Operations-like feature known as the Armory Pass. This new system has been well-received by players, as it allows them to unlock unique in-game rewards in the form of skins and introduces a brand-new decoration—weapon charms.

Valve shared the details about the largest update to CS2 in several years on the official game website.

What is the Armory Pass?

With the update The Armory, CS2 has introduced its own version of a Battle Pass—the Armory Pass. This new mechanic is considered an equivalent to Operations that players have been anticipating. However, it's not entirely the same, as no new maps or game modes have been added to the shooter. Nonetheless, the Armory Pass allows players to earn rewards simply by playing matches in CS2, but they will need to spend a special currency that they must earn.

Credit: Valve Corporation

How to Obtain the Armory Pass

It's important to note that players cannot obtain the Armory Pass for free. Like the classic Battle Pass, it is a paid feature. The Armory Pass costs $17, though the price may vary slightly depending on the player's region. For this amount, users gain the ability to unlock Armory Pass rewards and receive a special currency—Armory Credits. This currency is necessary for unlocking the most valuable rewards.

Credit: Valve Corporation

What are Armory Credits?

Armory Credits, also known as Stars among players, are the currency of the Armory Pass. Earning them is relatively easy—players receive credits for experience gained in the game. In other words, simply playing matches will reward them with this currency. However, it's not all straightforward, as there is a limit of 5 stars per day. This limit can be exhausted in about 4-5 hours of gameplay. Additionally, there is a global limit of 40 stars. Therefore, a player who purchases the Armory Pass can earn a maximum of 40 Armory Credits, making it essential to use stars wisely when exchanging them for rewards, as it's not possible to unlock everything with a single pass.

How to Earn Armory Credits

There are no special conditions for earning Armory Credits. Players simply gain experience by playing matches and passively receive Armory Credits as a bonus reward. It's essential to remember the 40-star limit. However, there is a way to exceed this limit—players can purchase multiple Armory Passes, raising the limit to 120 credits.

Credit: Valve Corporation

The currency is earned quite quickly, and it will take approximately two weeks of gameplay to reach 40 stars. Players should not rush, as the Armory Pass event is expected to last around 100 days.

Best Rewards of the Armory Pass

Notably, the main reward of the Armory Pass is the Desert Eagle Heat Treated, which costs 25 Armory Credits. A total of 40 stars is enough to acquire 10 unique skins. To obtain all 50 rewards, players will need to spend 120 stars by purchasing 5 Armory Passes.

The Desert Eagle Heat Treated may significantly increase in value once the event concludes. Additionally, a valuable investment will be the purchase of the Gallery case, which Valve released alongside the Armory Pass.

In addition to the Gallery case, pass holders will gain access to three other collections. The Graphic collection explores various styles and printing techniques. The skins from this collection feature geometric patterns and vibrant colors. Special attention should be given to the AWP CMYK (CMYK is a color model for printing), M4A4 Polysoup, and AK-47 Crossfade, which, while not the highest quality, looks quite appealing.

The Gallery Case in CS2

The Armory Pass introduced not only a Battle Pass equivalent but also a new Gallery case containing 17 new skins that reference styles in visual art. The update can be purchased for 2 Armory Credits.

However, when buying the case, players should keep in mind that the number of stars is limited, and duplicates may appear. Many players are more likely to spend their stars on guaranteed rewards, while those who have purchased multiple Armory Passes will be the ones opening the Gallery case.

Weapon Charms in CS2

Weapon charms have become an integral part of many shooters, and now they have arrived in Counter-Strike 2. A charm capsule can be purchased for 3 stars. Currently, there are two available capsules: the Small Arms capsule features charms shaped like weapons, while the Missing Link capsule offers sausages with various designs.

Credit: Valve Corporation

However, there is a catch. Once a player attaches a charm to their weapon, they cannot remove it for free and will need to pay. The accessory itself is quite interesting and is not static. Therefore, it may even be distracting, as it will continuously move. Players should consider where to attach it so it doesn't interfere with gameplay during matches.

How to Remove a Charm in CS2

If a player has attached a charm in CS2 and then wishes to remove it, they cannot do so for free. Valve has developed a special tool that costs $1. Using this tool, players can return the charm to their inventory. Currently, there is no way to remove a charm for free, so players should think carefully before decorating their weapons.

For those who enjoy experimenting, a set of 5 charm removal tools can be purchased to frequently change the appearance of their weapons.

It's important to note that the Armory update has been the most significant in the history of Counter-Strike 2. While not everyone is pleased that the primary focus has been on in-game items, it is likely that this is precisely what many players prefer to see.

Despite the influx of numerous new skins in the game, many are still waiting for Valve to introduce Operations. It’s possible that this will indeed happen, becoming the next major update for CS2.