Operation Riptide is ending soon, so what happens to new skins?

While we’ve anticipated Operation Riptide’s conclusion for months, the approaching deadline brings both nostalgia and urgency for dedicated Counter-Strike: Global Offensive enthusiasts.

Every CS:GO player should maximize their Riptide experience during these final days. This major content update delivered substantial fresh gameplay elements, featuring five distinct weapon skin collections and numerous character agent cosmetics. Budget-conscious gamers particularly value the opportunity to acquire premium skins through systematic weekly mission completion. However, this extensive content library faces imminent removal from accessible acquisition methods.

The definitive termination date for Operation Riptide falls on February 20, 2022. Beyond this cutoff, participants lose the ability to finish remaining Riptide objectives or acquire additional operation stars. Drawing from past operation precedents, the Riptide exclusive marketplace will cease operations permanently. Ensure you utilize any remaining star currency before the February 20 deadline. For players holding uneven star quantities, remember that decorative stickers require only a single star each, making them ideal for balancing your currency expenditure.

What will happen to Operation Riptide skins when it ends?

Examining previous CS:GO operation marketplaces reveals a consistent pattern: all exclusive cosmetics become permanently unobtainable following battle pass expiration. The distinctive Norse, Canals, and St. Marc collections have completely vanished from legitimate purchase channels. Consequently, skin valuations from these discontinued sets have experienced exponential appreciation. The legendary AWP | Gungnir, for instance, has achieved equivalent status to the renowned Dragon Lore as an ultra-prestige sniper rifle cosmetic. Highly sought-after weapon finishes including the AK-47 | Gold Arabesque and Glock-18 | Gamma Doppler will probably experience substantial price escalation immediately following Operation Riptide’s conclusion.

However, Operation Riptide presents potential deviations from established conventions. Numerous recently introduced skin sets connect directly to existing competitive environments. Dust 2, Train, and Mirage already maintained dedicated map-themed cosmetic collections before Riptide’s impending finale. The distinctive 2021 designation attached to these new weapon finishes might indicate they’re destined to supplant older signature skins. Premium account holders receive a cosmetic reward each time they achieve a new experience level on Valve-operated servers for the initial instance during any weekly cycle. These typically represent lower-value skins, yet they remain tradable and could potentially yield significant returns when players experience favorable random distributions.

Should this replacement scenario materialize, anticipate substantial valuation increases for older CS:GO map-themed cosmetics. The common quality variants remain notoriously inexpensive, but specific weapon wraps such as the P2000 | Amber Fade or MP9 | Hot Rod might transform into coveted collector’s items.

Alternatively, the recently introduced 2021 skins might become available concurrently with their predecessor collections. Under these circumstances, expect market values for both cosmetic groups to decline following Operation Riptide’s termination.

For strategic collectors, focus on completing high-value missions that reward exclusive skins rather than spending stars on common items. Monitor market trends for similar operation skins from previous campaigns to identify potential appreciation patterns. Consider holding operation-exclusive agent skins, as character cosmetics often maintain stable long-term value compared to weapon finishes that might receive updated versions in future operations.

Advanced players should prioritize acquiring the Operation Riptide Coin, as operation medals historically appreciate significantly due to their permanent status display and limited availability. Additionally, track community market fluctuations during the final 48 hours, as panic selling sometimes creates temporary buying opportunities before long-term scarcity drives prices upward.

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