AK-47 | Cartel

AK-47 | Cartel is a CS2 rifle skin combining engraved charcoal metal with reddish-brown wooden furniture. Skeletons, flowers and serpents give its receiver and magazine a detailed, decorative look suited to players who prefer restrained colors. It comes in every exterior from Factory New to Battle-Scarred, with standard, StatTrak™ and Souvenir versions available.

Description

AK-47 | Cartel is a CS2 skin for the Terrorist-side AK-47 rifle, using a Patina finish. Its visual identity comes from engraved metalwork rather than a bright painted color scheme. Skeleton, flower and serpent motifs cover the receiver and curved magazine in closely arranged linework. Reddish-brown wooden sections balance the dark metal and lighter gray details. The look suits players who want intricate artwork while keeping the rifle's wood-and-metal appearance. NiKo, NEO and Xizt are among the professional players known to own the skin. Standard, StatTrak and Souvenir options give buyers a version choice beyond cosmetic condition alone. When comparing listings, the exterior, exact float and item image help distinguish individual copies of the same finish.

History and Origin

AK-47 | Cartel was released on January 8, 2015, alongside the Chroma Case. It entered CS:GO through the Chroma Case Skins update. Steam Workshop community designer Anders created the finish. The skin belongs to The Chroma Collection, which also defines its collection-based Trade Up Contract route. Its original case-opening route remains available, but the case's drop status has changed since release. Valve retired the rare drop pool on December 17, 2025, ending new Chroma Case drops. As of October 9, 2026, existing Chroma Cases can still be purchased on the market and opened. Buyers can also obtain an existing Cartel directly through marketplace listings or player-to-player trades.

Finish Style

The Cartel uses a Patina finish with decorative engraving as its central feature. Dark charcoal metal covers the receiver, barrel assembly and curved magazine, providing a backdrop for lighter gray details. Skeletons, flowers and serpents form dense linework across the receiver and magazine. These motifs create a layered ornamental surface without relying on vivid painted blocks. The handguard and stock introduce reddish-brown wood alongside the darker metal components. Prominent orange-brown grain lines give those wooden sections their own visible texture. The pistol grip is a more uniform muted brown, keeping that part of the rifle comparatively understated. Overall, the design concentrates its detailed artwork on the metal while leaving the wooden furniture visually simpler.

Float Value

The AK-47 | Cartel float value ranges from 0.00 to 0.75. Its available exteriors are Factory New, Minimal Wear, Field-Tested, Well-Worn and Battle-Scarred. StatTrak and Souvenir versions are also available, with version choice separate from the exterior and exact float of an individual copy.

Rarity and Popularity

AK-47 | Cartel has Classified rarity. Its stated chance from the Chroma Case is 1.07%, so opening the case does not reliably produce this specific skin. Marketplace purchases and player trades provide direct acquisition routes without depending on a random case result.

Why it’s Popular:

• Detailed skeleton, flower and serpent engravings

• Restrained charcoal metal paired with reddish-brown wood

• Standard, StatTrak and Souvenir version choices

• Documented ownership by NiKo, NEO and Xizt

Price Range

The live AK-47 | Cartel price range is $13.03 to $111.46. These bounds cover the whole skin rather than a fixed exterior or version. Exterior, exact float and standard, StatTrak or Souvenir status are useful distinctions when comparing its CS2 skin price across listings. Buyers should check the individual item details and image instead of assuming that every copy within an exterior is interchangeable. Compare matching versions when deciding which listing to buy or how to position a copy for sale.

How to Obtain

1. Buy Directly through Eneba Skins

One of the fastest and most straightforward options is to purchase skins directly through Eneba Skins. You can browse available CS2 skins, compare prices, and choose the items that best fit your budget.

2. Open the Chroma Case

Open a Chroma Case for a chance at the Cartel, with a stated probability of 1.07%. The case no longer drops, but existing cases can still be bought on the market and opened. A direct skin purchase avoids relying on the case's random outcome.

3. Trade Up Contracts

A Trade Up Contract can exchange 10 Restricted skins from The Chroma Collection for 1 Classified skin from that collection. The Cartel is a possible result, not a certain outcome. The result is random among the collection's Classified skins.

4. Buy on the Steam Community Market

Buy the Cartel directly through a Steam Community Market listing rather than attempting a random case or contract result. Check the listed exterior, float and version before choosing a copy. Standard, StatTrak and Souvenir copies should be compared as distinct options.

5. Trade with Other Players

The Cartel can also be obtained through player-to-player trades. Review the offered item's exterior, float and standard, StatTrak or Souvenir status before accepting. Confirm the exact copy being exchanged rather than treating all Cartel skins as equivalent.

Trading and Investment Considerations

The Chroma Case no longer receives new drops, although unopened cases can still produce additional Cartel skins. Professional ownership does not establish current buyer demand, trading speed or a reliable price trend. Compare exterior, float and version before buying, selling or arranging a trade.

Reasons it Holds Value

• No new Chroma Case drops replenish case supply

• Documented ownership by NiKo, NEO and Xizt

• Distinctive engraved artwork on an AK-47

• Standard, StatTrak and Souvenir options for different buyers

The editorial investment rating is medium-to-good, supported by retired case supply and documented professional ownership. Existing cases can still add skins, while uncertain future demand remains the main risk and prevents any dependable return forecast.