Two CS2 skins can have the exact same weapon, finish and wear rating and still look noticeably different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sometimes that difference barely matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other times, it can turn an ordinary skin into one of the most desirable versions of that item.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reason is the pattern index<\/strong>, commonly called the paint seed<\/strong> or pattern seed<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have ever heard players talk about an AK-47 Case Hardened #661, a Blue Gem knife, a high-percentage Fade or a specific Crimson Web pattern, this is the number they are looking at.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this guide, we are breaking down exactly how CS2 pattern indexes work, which skins actually have patterns worth checking, how pattern differs from float, and how to tell whether a rare-looking seed deserves an overpay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Quick answer:<\/strong> A CS2 pattern index, or paint seed, determines how a skin’s pattern is positioned on the weapon. The standard skin-pattern convention uses 1,000 possible seeds, commonly numbered 0\u2013999. For most skins, the difference is minor. On finishes such as Case Hardened, Fade, Marble Fade and Crimson Web, the right seed can completely change the appearance and collector demand.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n\n