How to Get Agent Skins in CS2
Currently, there are 63 distinct agents in Counter-Strike 2, divided into 4 rarity tiers: Distinguished (Blue), Exceptional (Purple), Superior (Pink), and Master (Red).
And while the lower tiers offer purely visual changes to your character model—ranging from basic uniform tweaks to distinct tactical gear—the Master Agents stand apart as the only tier to feature unique voice lines and cheers.
The roster covers a massive range of factions: from the FBI, SAS, and KSK on the CT side to The Professionals, Elite Crew, and Guerrilla Warfare on the T side.
However, their introduction in November 2019 with Operation Shattered Web was incredibly divisive. The community feared the game was chasing a "Fortnite" aesthetic, sacrificing its grounded military look for visual flair.
And it wasn't just about style—it was about fairness.
Skins like 'The Elite Mr. Muhlik' blended seamlessly into shadows and dark corners, sparking "pay-to-win" accusations that forced major tournament organizers like ESL and FACEIT to ban them entirely to preserve competitive integrity.
While Valve eventually patched in "Boost Player Contrast" to fix the visibility issues, the shift from map-based realism to custom agent skins remains one of the most significant and controversial changes in CS:GO's history.
How could you get Agent Skins Before?
Agents were only available through three operations:
- Operation Shattered Web (November 2019 – March 2020)
- Operation Broken Fang (December 2020 – May 2021)
- Operation Riptide (September 2021 – February 2022)
These were the only windows where players could earn agents directly in-game. Initially, the community wasn't thrilled—many saw it as just another way for Valve to sell cosmetics. But once Valve stopped releasing new agents, prices started climbing, and what was once dismissed became a sought-after collectible.
Here's how each operation worked:
Operation Shattered Web (November 2019 – March 2020)
The first operation to introduce agents. Players needed to purchase an Operation Pass, then complete weekly missions to earn Operation Stars. Stars could also be bought directly. Those stars were then redeemed for rewards like cases, stickers, or agents.
The Shattered Web Agents Collection was the first set ever released. The cost in stars varied by rarity:
- Distinguished Agent: 28 stars
- Exceptional Agent: 52 stars
- Superior Agent: 76 stars
- Master Agent: 89 stars
Operation Broken Fang (December 2020 – May 2021)
From December 3, 2020, and concluded on May 3, 2021, running for about five months and had the same system: buy the pass, complete missions, earn stars, redeem agents. This operation ran for about five months and introduced new game modes like Retakes and Broken Fang Premier, along with the popular Broken Fang Case.
The Broken Fang Agents Collection featured fan favorites like Crasswater The Forgotten, Lt. Commander Ricksaw, and 'Doctor' Romanov.
Operation Riptide (September 2021 – February 2022)
The final operation before the transition to CS2. It introduced popular units like the Gendarmerie Nationale, Guerrilla Warfare, and SEAL Frogmen.
As of January 2026, Operation Riptide remains the last official operation released for Counter-Strike.
How to Get Agent Skins Now (January 2026)
Since agents were only available during those three operations—and it's been over 1,500 days since the last one—your options are more limited today.
Steam Community Market
The safest and most straightforward method. Log into Steam, head to the Community Market, search for "Agent," and browse.
Current price range (January 2026):
- Cheapest agents start around $3 (Dragomir, Ground Rebel Elite Crew)
- Most expensive agent: Sir Bloody Miami Darryl at $120+
Prices have roughly doubled since August 2024, so agents are increasingly seen as investment items.
Third-Party Marketplaces
External platforms like DMarket, BitSkins, Skinport, and CS.Money often offer agents at 5–15% lower prices than Steam. However, they carry more risk.
Tips for third-party purchases:
- Verify site authenticity
- Use two-factor authentication
- Start with small test purchases
- Stick to reputable peer-to-peer platforms
Trading
If you have valuable skins in your inventory, trading is a cost-effective way to get agents without spending additional money.
How to trade:
- Find a player with the agent you want
- Visit their Steam profile
- Send a trade offer through Steam's trading system
- Verify all items before confirming
Warning: Only trade with people you trust. Scammers often impersonate legitimate traders. Never accept trades from random users claiming to be Valve employees.
Giveaways
Many streamers, YouTubers, and esports organizations host giveaways where you can win agents for free. These typically happen on Twitch, YouTube, X (Twitter), and Discord.
Note: With thousands of participants per giveaway, your odds are usually below 0.1%. Treat giveaways as bonus opportunities, not a reliable acquisition method.
Will There Be New Agent Skins?
As of July 2026, Valve hasn't released new agent skins in over 1,760 days.
Some in the community believe Valve simply didn't make enough profit on agents to justify continuing them. Others speculate Valve is working on a new customization system where players could build their own agents with different clothing and accessories.
The truth is, nobody knows what Valve has planned. But if a new operation ever drops, something the community has been waiting for since CS2 launched, new agents would likely come with it.
Are Agent Skins Banned in Pro Play?
Yes. Agent skins are banned in professional tournaments for competitive integrity.
The concern is that certain agents can blend into map environments better than default models—particularly on maps like Ancient and Dust 2. While agents don't affect hitboxes or give actual gameplay advantages, the potential for visual camouflage was enough for tournament organizers to ban them.
In regular matchmaking and casual play, agents are fully allowed.
