Nova | Koi

The Nova | Koi is a CS2 shotgun skin with a cream, orange-red, and dark gray scale pattern on the receiver and stock. Its detailed painted body contrasts with the shotgun's plain, dark front. The finish suits players who prefer an organic motif rather than a single-color weapon. Factory New, Minimal Wear, and Field-Tested copies are available, including StatTrak™ and Souvenir versions.

Description

The Nova | Koi applies a koi-inspired Custom Paint Job to the Nova, a shotgun in CS2's Heavy category. Overlapping scales give the receiver and stock a patterned appearance, while the barrel and pump retain a dark, understated look. Cream areas establish a pale background for orange-red patches and dark gray accents. The design fits loadouts built around warm colors or decorative, nature-inspired artwork. Its contrasting front and rear sections keep the scale motif visually concentrated around the painted body. Players can choose regular, StatTrak, or Souvenir versions depending on the type of copy they want to own. Buyers can compare the listed exterior and exact float value alongside a preview of the individual item. For players planning to buy, sell, or trade this shotgun, separating cosmetic condition from version helps keep listing comparisons relevant.

History and Origin

Nova | Koi was released on July 1, 2014 with the Operation Breakout Weapon Case in the Operation Breakout update. The skin belongs to The Breakout Collection, connecting its collection identity with the case it debuted in. Its designer is unknown, so the artwork cannot be attributed to a named creator. Valve retired the rare drop pool on December 17, 2025. The Operation Breakout Weapon Case no longer drops, so new cases are not entering supply through that route. Existing cases can still be bought on the market and opened for a chance at this skin. Direct purchases and player-to-player trades let buyers select an existing Koi rather than rely on a random case result. Trade Up Contracts provide another acquisition route through Mil-Spec Grade inputs from The Breakout Collection.

Finish Style

Koi uses a Custom Paint Job to create a multicolored scale motif rather than a uniform painted surface. The receiver and stock carry cream, orange-red, and dark gray elements arranged into curved, overlapping rows. Broad red patches interrupt the lighter sections, giving the painted body an irregular color distribution instead of evenly spaced stripes. The narrow neck of the stock has closely spaced red and cream lines that compress the pattern in that area. The barrel and magazine tube remain dark gray to black, leaving the front comparatively plain. The ribbed pump grip and trigger guard share that dark treatment rather than continuing the colorful scale pattern. This division gives the shotgun a busy rear section and a restrained front, with the color concentrated around the receiver. The finish's visual character comes from the repeated scale shapes and broken-up pale areas, rather than a solid accent color.

Float Value

The Nova | Koi has a float range of 0.00 to 0.30, which defines the available cosmetic conditions for this finish. It comes in Factory New, Minimal Wear, and Field-Tested, with no Well-Worn or Battle-Scarred exterior. StatTrak and Souvenir versions are available, but version choice is separate from the exterior and exact float value of a particular copy.

Rarity and Popularity

Nova | Koi is Restricted, with a 4.0% chance of appearing from the Operation Breakout Weapon Case. That is about 1 in 25 case drops, although opening an existing case still gives a random result rather than a chosen skin. The finish also has professional ownership, with copies held by FalleN, kioShiMa, and tarik.

Why it’s Popular:

• Distinctive koi scales across the receiver and stock

• Cream and orange-red colors contrast with the dark front

• Regular, StatTrak, and Souvenir versions offer different ownership options

• Professional ownership by FalleN, kioShiMa, and tarik

Price Range

The live CS2 skin price range for Nova | Koi is $1.78 to $10.97. These bounds cover the skin as a whole, not a fixed exterior or version. Listings may feature Factory New, Minimal Wear, or Field-Tested condition, alongside regular, StatTrak, and Souvenir options. Compare the exact float and version before treating separate listings as equivalent purchases. An item preview also helps buyers decide whether an individual copy's cosmetic condition suits the patterned look they want.

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 Operation Breakout Weapon Case

Opening the Operation Breakout Weapon Case can produce Nova | Koi, but the result is random. The case no longer drops, although existing copies can still be purchased on the market and opened.

3. Trade Up Contracts

A Trade Up Contract uses 10 Mil-Spec Grade skins from The Breakout Collection to produce 1 Restricted skin from that collection. Nova | Koi is a possible result, but the contract randomly selects among the collection's Restricted skins rather than letting players choose it.

4. Buy on the Steam Community Market

Buy Nova | Koi on the Steam Community Market by choosing an existing listing rather than opening a case. Check the exterior, exact float, and whether the listed copy is regular, StatTrak, or Souvenir before buying.

5. Trade with Other Players

Nova | Koi can also be acquired through a player-to-player trade for an existing copy. Confirm the item's exterior, float value, and version before accepting, especially when comparing offers involving different conditions.

Trading and Investment Considerations

Retired case supply supports a limited-case investment angle for Nova | Koi, but existing cases and Trade Up Contracts can still create copies. Professional ownership provides evidence of use, while the current extent of buyer demand and sales activity remains uncertain. For practical trades, compare matching exteriors and versions rather than assuming every Koi listing represents the same item value.

Reasons it Holds Value

• No new Operation Breakout Weapon Cases drop

• Documented ownership by professional players

• Distinctive koi-scale Custom Paint Job

• StatTrak and Souvenir options broaden version choice

Nova | Koi earns a medium investment rating, supported by retired case supply, professional ownership, and a modest price level. The main risk is uncertain resale demand, while remaining cases and Trade Up Contracts can continue adding skin supply. Those factors favor a measured buying decision rather than an assumption of future gains.