⚡ What is the AWP Lightning Strike?
The AWP | Lightning Strike is a piece of CS history — it was one of the very first skins released in the first-ever CS:GO weapon case. Introduced in August 2013 with the CS:GO Weapon Case, the Lightning Strike has remained one of the most recognizable and desirable AWP skins for over a decade thanks to its clean minimalist design and historical significance.
The skin features a deep black base with a bold purple lightning bolt running across the weapon's body. Its simplicity is its strength — the clean, high-contrast design has aged beautifully and looks even better in CS2's Source 2 engine with enhanced reflections and lighting.
Flavor Text: "It was a dark and stormy night..."
📊 Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Weapon | AWP |
| Case | CS:GO Weapon Case (first case ever) |
| Released | August 2013 |
| Rarity | Covert (Red) |
| Available Wears | Factory New – Minimal Wear only |
| Float Range | 0.00 – 0.08 |
| StatTrak Available | Yes |
| Base Price (2025) | ~$750+ (FN), ~$2,500+ (ST FN) |
📜 History & Why It's Legendary
The First Case
The CS:GO Weapon Case was the first case ever released in Counter-Strike history, launching alongside the Arms Deal update in August 2013 that introduced weapon skins to the game. The Lightning Strike was the Covert (highest rarity) skin in this case, making it the original "rare unbox" chase item.
Tight Float Range
Like the Blaze and Glock Fade, the Lightning Strike has a narrow float range of 0.00 – 0.08, meaning it only exists in Factory New and a tiny sliver of Minimal Wear. This contributes to its clean appearance across all available copies.
🎨 Wear & Float Guide
| Condition | Float Range | Approx. Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Factory New | 0.00 – 0.07 | $750 – $1,200+ | Ultra-low floats (sub-0.001) command significant premiums |
| Minimal Wear | 0.07 – 0.08 | $650 – $750 | Extremely narrow; looks identical to FN |
StatTrak Pricing
| Condition | Non-StatTrak | StatTrak |
|---|---|---|
| Factory New | ~$750 | ~$2,500+ |
| Minimal Wear | ~$650 | ~$2,000+ |
🏷️ Sticker Crafts
The Lightning Strike's black base makes it an excellent canvas for high-contrast sticker crafts.
| Craft | Notes |
|---|---|
| 4x Titan (Holo) Katowice 2014 | Blue Titan Holos on black — visually stunning |
| 4x Crown (Foil) | Gold on black, premium look |
| Katowice 2014 Holos | Any holo pops against the dark base |
📈 Price History
| Year | Approx. FN Price |
|---|---|
| 2013 | ~$30 – $50 |
| 2016 | ~$100 – $150 |
| 2022 | ~$400 – $500 |
| 2025 | ~$750 – $1,200+ |
🎯 Loadout Pairings
| Pairing | Why |
|---|---|
| Specialist Gloves - Fade | Purple in the Fade matches the lightning bolt |
| Karambit - Doppler Phase 2 | Pink/purple tones complement the purple lightning |
| Sport Gloves - Pandora's Box | Blue/purple runes match the lightning theme |
🔍 Compare Prices Across 13+ Marketplaces
Don't overpay — check real-time prices for every skin in this guide on SteamAnalyst. We aggregate pricing from Buff163, Skinport, CSFloat, DMarket, Steam Market, and more so you always get the best deal.
❓ FAQ
Is the Lightning Strike from the first case ever?
Yes. The CS:GO Weapon Case (August 2013) was the first weapon case in Counter-Strike history, and the Lightning Strike was its Covert-tier skin.
Why does it only come in FN and MW?
Its float range is limited to 0.00 – 0.08, restricting it to Factory New and a tiny Minimal Wear band.
➡️ Related Guides
