Counter-Strike 2’s new update brought 17 new weapon skins and 22 new glove finishes to the game in a new collection entitled the ‘Dead Hand Collection.’
The update reflects a significant shift in Valve’s philosophy on its skin economy, as the game continues to move away from cases as the primary way to acquire skins.
All Dead Hand Collection skins:
- AWP | Queen’s Gambit – Covert
- Glock-18 | Fully Tuned – Covert
- P90 | Deathgaze – Classified
- P250 | Kintsugi – Classified
- AK-47 | Crane Flight – Classified
- MP9 | Urban Sovereign – Restricted
- Galil | AR Galigator – Restricted
- MP7 | Amberline – Restricted
- M4A1-S | Electrum – Restricted
- Desert Eagle | Firebreathing – Restricted
- PP Bizon | RMX – Mil-spec
- USP-S | Silent Shot – Mil-spec
- Five-Seven | Dark Polymer – Mil-pec
- Sawed-Off | Fusion – Mil-spec
- UMP-45 | Fragment – Mil-spec
- M4A4 | Zubastick – Mil-spec
- M249 | Bock Blocks – Mil-spec
Dead Hand Collection Gloves:
- Driver Gloves | Brocade Crane
- Driver Gloves | Brocade Flowers
- Driver Gloves | Dragon Fists
- Driver Gloves | Garden
- Driver Gloves | Hand Sweaters
- Driver Gloves | Plum Quill
- Driver Gloves | Seigaiha
- Driver Gloves | Wave Chaster
- Specialist Gloves | Big Swell
- Specialist Gloves | Blackbook
- Specialist Gloves | Chocolate Chesterfield
- Specialist Gloves | Cloud Chaster
- Specialist Gloves | Lime Polycam
- Specialist Gloves | Pillow Punchers
- Specialist Gloves | Sunburst
- Sport Gloves | Blaze
- Sport Gloves | Creme Pinstripe
- Sport Gloves | Frosty
- Sport Gloves | Occult
- Sport Gloves | Red Racer
- Sport Gloves | Ultra Violet
- Sport Gloves | Violet Beadwork
Valve change strategy surrounding skin monetization
The update means that there has been no new case since March 31, 2025, almost a year ago, when the Fever Case was introduced. Cases, which require a $2.49 USD key to open, have been the focus of the lawsuits targeting Valve for “illegal gambling.”
The suits, originating from the New York Attorney General Letitia James and Seattle-based law firm Hagens Berman, both cited the “near miss” mechanics featured in case openings as a similarity to slot machines.
Since last March, only Armory skins and Terminal skins have been added to the game. Armory skins can be redeemed by accumulating XP through the Armory Pass to earn stars, which you can redeem for skins.
Terminals are the newest way to get skins, with the first Terminal, entitled the ‘Sealed Genesis Terminal’, added to the game in September 2025.
Unlike cases, Terminals can be opened for free. The player is then offered a weapon and can choose whether to buy the weapon directly through Steam. After players decline five offers, the Terminal will destroy itself.
Crucially, the latest update has added Gold or ‘Rare Special Items’ to Terminals, allowing players to get gloves from Terminals for the first time.
The addition of these rare items to Terminals reflects Valve’s gradual shift away from cases in recent times. While Valve’s reasoning is not public, the scrutiny surrounding cases may be a significant motivator for the move.
Why do you think Valve is moving away from cases? You can discuss that, and more, on Insider Gaming’s Discord server!
For further information, you can read Valve’s public response to recent lawsuits here.
Darragh is an Esports Journalist for Insider Gaming specialising in Counter-Strike. He loves to explore how esports teams work, or why they very often do not.
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