CS2/CS:GO Cases Explained: Keys, Rarity, and the Steam Market

CS2 and legacy CS:GO use official containers (app 730) that deliver cosmetic weapon finishes through a transparent, platform‑managed system. This page provides authoritative guidance for opening CSGO cases, understanding item classifications, and using the Steam Community Market responsibly. The emphasis is legitimacy, price clarity, and policy compliance within Steam.

What cases are

Cases are inventory containers that, when opened with a compatible key, grant a single item from the case’s published collection. Most outcomes are weapon finishes; the “Rare Special Item” slot can yield a knife or gloves depending on the case family. Items obtained from CSGO cases are purely cosmetic and do not affect gameplay. Cases may appear via weekly play‑based rewards and Care Package selections, or they can be purchased on the Steam Community Market.

How opening works

From your inventory, select a case, choose “Open,” and confirm a matching key. The animation represents a single server‑recorded outcome; results are final and are immediately added to your inventory. Opening CSGO cases does not alter future probabilities; each roll is independent. Some legacy case families share a general case key, while certain containers require a specific key type—tooltips will always state compatibility before you proceed.

Key policy (Steam, October 2019)

Newly purchased container keys for app 730 are non‑tradable and non‑marketable. Legacy keys obtained before the policy change may remain tradable. Keys can still be used to open CSGO cases from your own inventory; the restriction targets secondary distribution to curb fraud and abuse. Always review item details to confirm current tradability/marketability flags.

Rarity, StatTrak, and exterior grades

Rarity follows a standardized ladder: Consumer, Industrial, Mil‑Spec, Restricted, Classified, Covert, plus the Rare Special Item. Some weapons can appear in StatTrak variants that track confirmed kills; StatTrak is a separate chance and does not influence exterior assignment. Exterior grades—Factory New, Minimal Wear, Field‑Tested, Well‑Worn, and Battle‑Scarred—reflect wear levels derived from a float value. Pattern‑based finishes can vary in look due to pattern index. Exterior and StatTrak status are cosmetic and provide no competitive advantage.

Steam Community Market basics

To buy or sell cases, keys, or finishes, open the Market (app 730) and search by name. Listing pages show quantity available, recent volume, and price history graphs to inform timing. Set your listing price; applicable transaction fees (Steam + game) are displayed before confirmation. Sales settle as Steam Wallet funds. Market activity is subject to account eligibility, regional rules, cooldowns, and security requirements such as Steam Guard Mobile Authenticator.

Safety and compliance

Use only official Steam inventory, Market, and in‑client trade flows. Avoid third‑party promises, phishing links, and off‑platform payments. Never share Steam Guard codes or API keys. Verify item icons, nametags, and tradability/marketability flags in the client. If anything appears unusual, cancel and report via official support channels.

Quick FAQ

• Can I sell a key? Newly purchased keys are non‑marketable; legacy keys may differ. Verify the item’s flags.
• Are odds public? CS2 communicates standardized rarity tiers; exact per‑item probabilities are not individually listed.
• Do StatTrak or exterior affect odds? StatTrak is a separate chance; exterior is assigned independently by float ranges.
• Where do I find specific CSGO cases? Use Market search for app 730, apply filters, review price history and recent volume.

Official references

• https://blog.counter-strike.net/index.php/2019/10/26113/
• https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/730
• https://steamcommunity.com/market/search?appid=730&q=Case