CS2 Container Types Guide: Complete Comparison

CS2 features multiple container types, each with different contents, odds, costs, and mechanics. This comprehensive guide compares weapon cases, sticker capsules, souvenir packages, graffiti boxes, charm packs, patch packs, and music kit boxes - helping you understand exactly what each offers.

Container Types Overview

CS2 containers are purchasable or earnable items that can be opened to receive random cosmetic items. Understanding the differences between container types is essential for making informed decisions about where to spend your money - or whether to spend it at all.

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Weapon Cases

Key Required

The flagship CS2 containers. Contain weapon skins with chance for rare knives/gloves. Require $2.49 key to open.

Opening Cost
~$2.50-$5+
Rare Item Odds
0.26%
🏷️

Sticker Capsules

No Key

Contain stickers in various qualities (Paper, Glitter, Holo, Foil, Gold). Tournament capsules feature team/player stickers.

Opening Cost
$0.25-$1.00
Gold/Special
~2-5%
🏆

Souvenir Packages

Free Drop

Earned by watching CS2 Major tournaments. Contain weapon skins with gold autograph stickers from the match.

Opening Cost
Free*
Market Price
$1-$100+
🎨

Graffiti Boxes

No Key

Contain graffiti sprays with 50 uses each. Available in various collections including tournament graffiti.

Opening Cost
$0.25-$0.50
Uses Per Item
50 sprays
🔗

Charm Packs

No Key

Contain weapon charms (keychains) that attach to weapons. Introduced with the Armory system in 2024.

Acquisition
Armory/Market
Rarity Tiers
4 tiers
🎖️

Patch Packs

No Key

Contain agent patches (cloth emblems) that can be applied to agent models. Various collections available.

Opening Cost
$0.25-$1.00
Rarity Tiers
4 tiers

Weapon Cases

Weapon cases are the primary container type in CS2, containing weapon skins across five rarity tiers plus a chance at rare special items (knives and gloves). They've been the core of CS2's economy since the game's inception.

How Weapon Cases Work

  • Acquisition: Cases drop randomly to Prime players weekly, or can be purchased from the Steam Community Market
  • Opening: Requires a $2.49 key (purchased in-game or on market)
  • Contents: One random weapon skin based on fixed probability
  • StatTrak: 10% chance any skin is StatTrak variant

Official Weapon Case Odds

According to Valve's official disclosures, weapon case drop rates are:

Rarity Tier Color Drop Chance 1 in X Cases
Mil-Spec Blue 79.92% 1 in 1.25
Restricted Purple 15.98% 1 in 6.3
Classified Pink 3.20% 1 in 31
Covert Red 0.64% 1 in 156
Rare Special (Knife/Gloves) Gold 0.26% 1 in 385

For detailed probability analysis, see our Case Odds Explained guide and use the Case Odds Calculator.

Case Types

  • Active Drop Pool: Cases currently dropping to players (cheap on market)
  • Rare Drop Pool: Older cases that rarely drop (moderate prices)
  • Discontinued: No longer drop at all (can be expensive)

Track current availability with our Active Drop Pool Tracker.

Key Takeaway

Weapon cases offer the highest potential rewards (knives worth $100-$10,000+) but also the worst odds (0.26% for rare items). They're the most "gambling-like" container type. Read our Case Opening Tips for responsible practices.

Sticker Capsules

Sticker capsules contain stickers that can be applied to weapon skins for customization. They come in various types, with Major tournament capsules being the most popular for both collecting and investment.

How Sticker Capsules Work

  • Acquisition: Purchase directly from in-game store or Steam Market
  • Opening: No key required - open directly
  • Contents: One random sticker in varying quality tiers
  • Application: Stickers are permanent once applied to weapons

Sticker Quality Tiers

Different capsule types have different quality tiers available. According to community research documented on resources like Liquipedia:

Quality Appearance Typical Odds Value Multiplier
Paper Matte finish ~80% 1x (base)
Glitter Sparkle effect ~13% 2-5x
Holo Holographic shift ~4% 5-20x
Foil Metallic sheen ~2% 10-50x
Gold Gold metallic ~1% 50-500x

For comprehensive sticker information, see our Sticker Capsules Guide.

Major Tournament Capsules

The most significant sticker capsules are released during CS2 Major Championships. These feature team logos, player autographs, and tournament branding. Major stickers are popular for:

  • Fan support: Show team/player allegiance
  • Craft value: Applied to weapon skins for unique looks
  • Investment: Discontinued Major stickers often appreciate significantly

Souvenir Packages

Souvenir packages are unique containers earned by watching CS2 Major tournament matches. They contain weapon skins from map-specific collections with special gold autograph stickers.

How Souvenir Packages Work

  • Acquisition: Random drops while watching Major matches (linked Steam account required)
  • Opening: No key required - open directly
  • Contents: One souvenir weapon skin with 4 gold stickers (tournament, team logos, MVP signature)
  • Trading: Can be sold on Steam Market before or after opening

What Makes Souvenirs Special

Souvenir skins are distinct from regular case drops:

  • Gold Stickers: Come pre-applied with tournament and autograph stickers
  • MVP Signatures: Feature the round MVP's autograph
  • Unique Tag: Marked as "Souvenir" in inventory
  • No StatTrak: Souvenir skins never have StatTrak

Investment Note

Souvenir packages from memorable matches or featuring popular player signatures can command significant premiums. A Dragon Lore Souvenir with a famous player's signature can be worth tens of thousands of dollars. See our Souvenir Packages Guide for details.

Graffiti Boxes

Graffiti boxes contain spray patterns that can be used in-game. Each graffiti has 50 uses before it's consumed, making them a consumable cosmetic item.

How Graffiti Works

  • Acquisition: Purchase graffiti boxes or individual graffiti from market
  • Opening: No key required for boxes
  • Uses: Each graffiti has exactly 50 uses
  • Application: Spray on surfaces during matches (bound to T key by default)

Graffiti Rarity Tiers

Tier Color Typical Value
Base Grade Gray $0.03-0.10
High Grade Light Blue $0.05-0.25
Remarkable Blue $0.10-0.50
Exotic Purple $0.25-2.00

For complete details, see our Graffiti Guide.

Consumable Warning

Unlike other cosmetics, graffiti is consumed with use. After 50 sprays, the item is gone. This makes graffiti poor for long-term investment but fun for in-game expression.

Charm Packs

Charm packs contain weapon charms (keychains) that attach to your weapons and dangle with physics-based animation. Introduced with the CS2 Armory system in 2024.

How Charms Work

  • Acquisition: Armory system rewards or Steam Market purchase
  • Application: Attach to any weapon (one charm per weapon)
  • Removal: Can be removed and reapplied
  • Visibility: Visible to you and other players in-game

Charm Rarity Tiers

Charms use a unique rarity system:

Tier Color Rarity
Distinguished Blue Common
Exceptional Purple Uncommon
Superior Pink Rare
Master Red Very Rare

Learn more in our Charms Guide and Armory Pass Guide.

Patch Packs

Patch packs contain cloth emblem patches that can be applied to your agent (character) model. They're purely cosmetic and don't affect gameplay.

How Patches Work

  • Acquisition: Operations, Armory rewards, or Steam Market
  • Application: Apply to agent shoulder/chest slot
  • Permanence: Once applied, patches are consumed
  • Visibility: Visible on your agent in-game and spectator modes

Patch Rarity Tiers

Tier Color Typical Value
Base Grade Gray $0.03-0.15
High Grade Light Blue $0.10-0.50
Remarkable Blue $0.25-1.00
Exotic Purple $0.50-5.00

See our Patches Guide for complete information.

Music Kit Boxes

Music kit boxes contain music kits that replace default in-game music with custom tracks from various artists. They change the MVP anthem, round start music, bomb timer sounds, and more.

How Music Kits Work

  • Acquisition: Music kit boxes from market, individual kits, or Armory
  • Contents: Full replacement of in-game music
  • StatTrak: Some kits have StatTrak variants (counts MVP anthems played)
  • Permanence: Owned permanently once acquired

Notable Music Kit Artists

CS2 has featured music from various artists and composers:

  • Austin Wintory
  • Darude
  • Feed Me
  • Noisia
  • AWOLNATION
  • Scarlxrd

Learn more in our Music Kits Guide.

Complete Container Comparison

Here's a comprehensive comparison of all CS2 container types:

Feature Weapon Cases Sticker Capsules Souvenirs Graffiti Charms Patches
Key Required Yes ($2.49) No No No No No
Typical Cost $2.50-$10+ $0.25-$1.00 Free/Market $0.25-$0.50 Armory/Market $0.25-$1.00
Max Item Value $10,000+ $500+ $50,000+ $5 $50+ $10
StatTrak Available Yes (10%) No No No No No
Consumable No No* No Yes (50 uses) No Yes (on apply)
Tradeable Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Rare Item Chance 0.26% 1-5% Varies ~5% ~5% ~5%

*Stickers are consumed when applied to weapons but remain tradeable until applied.

Odds Comparison: Rare Items

When comparing containers, understanding the odds of getting valuable items is crucial. Here's how rare item chances compare:

Weapon Cases: Knife/Gloves 0.26%
0.26%
Sticker Capsules: Gold Sticker ~1-2%
~1-2%
Sticker Capsules: Holo/Foil ~4-6%
~4-6%

The key insight: Weapon cases have the LOWEST odds for rare items but the HIGHEST potential payouts. Sticker capsules have better odds for upgraded items but lower maximum values.

For interactive probability calculations, use our Case Odds Calculator and Streak Calculator.

Which Container Should You Open?

The "best" container depends entirely on your goals. Here's a decision framework:

Goal: Maximum Potential Value

Choose: Weapon Cases - Knife drops can be worth thousands. But accept that you'll likely lose money overall. Use our ROI Calculator to understand expected losses.

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Goal: Better Odds, Moderate Value

Choose: Major Sticker Capsules - Higher chance of "winning" (getting holo/foil/gold). Popular gold stickers hold value well. See our Sticker Capsules Guide.

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Goal: Low-Cost Fun

Choose: Graffiti/Patch Packs - Cheapest containers. Low stakes, but also low rewards. Good for casual cosmetic acquisition.

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Goal: Investment

Choose: Don't Open - Holding sealed containers often beats opening them. Discontinued cases and Major capsules appreciate over time. See our Investment Guide.

The Mathematical Reality

From a pure expected value perspective, opening ANY container loses money on average. If you want specific items, buying directly from the Steam Market is almost always cheaper. Use our Case vs Buy Calculator to compare.

Container Investment Potential

Some containers can appreciate significantly when held sealed. Here's how different container types perform as investments, based on historical market data:

Investment Tier List

Container Type Investment Potential Time Horizon Risk Level
Major Sticker Capsules High 1-3 years Medium
Discontinued Cases High 2-5 years Medium
Souvenir Packages Very High 1-5 years High
Active Drop Cases Low N/A Low
Graffiti Boxes Very Low N/A High

Key Investment Factors

  • Supply reduction: When containers stop dropping, prices tend to rise
  • Content desirability: Cases with popular skins maintain better value
  • Historical significance: First of a type, Major-winning team capsules, etc.
  • Market sentiment: CS2 player base growth affects all prices

For detailed investment strategies, read our Skin Investment Guide and Market Timing Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between cases and capsules?

Cases contain weapon skins and require a $2.49 key to open. They have a small chance (0.26%) of dropping rare knives or gloves worth potentially thousands of dollars. Capsules contain cosmetic items like stickers, graffiti, or patches and can be opened directly without keys. Capsules have better odds for "upgraded" items but lower maximum values.

Which container has the best odds?

Sticker capsules have the best odds for getting rare/valuable items (gold stickers at ~1-2%). Weapon cases have the worst odds for rare items (0.26% for knives/gloves). However, one lucky knife drop can be worth more than hundreds of gold stickers, so "best odds" depends on your definition of winning.

Are souvenir packages worth opening?

It depends on the package. Cobblestone souvenirs (containing Dragon Lore) are often worth more sealed than the average opened contents. Less valuable map packages may be worth opening for fun. Check Steam Market prices to compare sealed vs average opened value.

Can I get rich opening containers?

While some people get lucky with valuable drops, opening containers has negative expected value on average. The house (Valve) always wins long-term. If you want specific items, buying directly is almost always cheaper. Treat container opening as entertainment with a cost, not an investment strategy.

What happened to case keys?

Case keys still exist and cost $2.49. In 2019, Valve made keys non-tradeable (newly purchased keys can only be used, not traded). Old tradeable keys are now rare collector's items. See our Keys Guide for full details.

Do Prime players get better container drops?

Prime players receive weekly case and graffiti drops that non-Prime players don't get. However, Prime status doesn't affect the odds INSIDE containers - a Prime player and non-Prime player opening the same case have identical probabilities. See our Prime Status Guide.

Which containers are best for investment?

Major sticker capsules and discontinued weapon cases historically appreciate best when held sealed long-term. The key is buying during over-supply (like during a Major sale) and holding until supply decreases. Never "invest" money you can't afford to lose - see our Investment Guide for strategies.

Related Guides & Tools

Explore more resources to help you understand CS2 containers:

Final Perspective:

"Understanding container types is foundational to making smart decisions in CS2's economy. The players who know that Major capsules during the sale window are undervalued, or that sealed Bravo cases will only get rarer, have an edge over impulse openers. But the most important lesson is this: if you want a specific item, buy it directly. Opening containers is entertainment, not a wealth-building strategy. Enjoy the thrill, but set a budget and stick to it."

Important Disclaimer

Container opening is a form of gambling with real money. Only open containers with money you can afford to lose. The odds are not in your favor. If you're under 18, do not participate in container opening or skin trading. For help with gambling-related issues, visit BeGambleAware.org or NCPG.org.

Last updated: January 2026