About the AWP | Lightning Strike
The AWP | Lightning Strike is a Covert sniper rifle skin from The Arms Deal Collection. It was released in CS:GO in August 2013 with the Arms Deal update, which makes it one of the first weapon skins ever added to the game, and it is still a sought-after AWP in CS2.
Its history is a large part of its appeal. It is the only Covert skin in the CS:GO Weapon Case, the first weapon case in Counter-Strike, and that case is opened far less often than current ones. It also has an unusually narrow float range, so every copy is in clean condition.
The wear tabs at the top of this page show the current AWP Lightning Strike price for each condition.
Design
The Lightning Strike has a purple metallic body with a lightning bolt running across it. The finish uses anodizing-effect paint over a metallic base coat, which gives it a glossy look, and the barrel, scope, and back of the stock are left unpainted. The colors on this page break down as mostly purple and grey.
The design is the same on every copy. There is no pattern to check, so one Lightning Strike looks much like another.
How to Get the AWP | Lightning Strike
There are three ways to get a Lightning Strike in CS2.
- Buy it from a marketplace. This is the route most players take. The offers at the top of this page show every marketplace with a listing.
- Open a case. The AWP | Lightning Strike drops from the CS:GO Weapon Case. It is the only Covert skin in the case. Covert drops are rare, at around 0.64% per case.
- Trade up to it. Ten Classified skins from The Arms Deal Collection trade up into a Lightning Strike, because it is the only Covert in the collection. The Classified skins are the AK-47 | Case Hardened and Desert Eagle | Hypnotic.
Wear Conditions and Float
The Lightning Strike has a float range from 0.00 to 0.08. That is one of the narrowest ranges in the game, and it means the skin only exists in two wear conditions: Factory New (FN) and Minimal Wear (MW). There is no Field-Tested, Well-Worn, or Battle-Scarred version.
Because the range is so tight, wear barely shows. Small marks appear on the stock near the top of the range, and that is all. Most copies are Factory New, and Minimal Wear covers only the last sliver of the range, from 0.07 to 0.08.
Switch between the two conditions using the tabs above. Each one has its own listings and price history.
Variants
The AWP | Lightning Strike comes in a standard version and a StatTrak™ version, which counts your kills with the weapon. Pricempire lists each version separately, so you can compare them using the toggle above.
What Drives the Price of the AWP | Lightning Strike
- Case supply. The CS:GO Weapon Case is the oldest case in the game and is rarely opened today, so few new copies enter the market.
- Age and history. It is one of the original Covert skins, which gives it standing with collectors that newer AWP skins do not have.
- Float. With only two conditions, the exact float matters more than the wear name. Very low floats carry a premium.
- StatTrak™. The StatTrak™ version is scarcer than the standard one and priced separately.
- Applied stickers. Older copies often carry stickers from early tournaments, which can add value that standard price data does not show.
- Demand for the AWP. It is the most recognizable weapon in the game, which keeps interest in its Covert skins high.
Compare the offers above before you buy or sell, and set a price alert if you are waiting for a particular level.
Similar Skins
If you like the Lightning Strike, these are the closest alternatives.
- Other Covert AWP skins from cases. The AWP | Asiimov, AWP | Chrome Cannon, and AWP | Chromatic Aberration are easier to find and come in more wear conditions.
- Same collection. The AK-47 | Case Hardened and Desert Eagle | Hypnotic are from the same Arms Deal set.
- Collector AWP skins. The AWP | Dragon Lore and AWP | Gungnir sit at the top of the AWP market.
- More choice. Browse all AWP skins on Pricempire.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is an AWP Lightning Strike?
It depends on the condition, the exact float, and whether it is StatTrak™. The wear tabs at the top of this page show the current lowest Lightning Strike price for Factory New and Minimal Wear, and the price history shows how it has moved.
What case is the AWP Lightning Strike in?
The CS:GO Weapon Case, the first weapon case in the game. The Lightning Strike is the only Covert skin in it.
What collection is the AWP | Lightning Strike from?
The Arms Deal Collection, released in CS:GO in August 2013.
What is the float range of the AWP | Lightning Strike?
0.00 to 0.08. It is only available in Factory New and Minimal Wear.
Is there a Field-Tested AWP | Lightning Strike?
No. The float range stops at 0.08, so the skin does not exist in Field-Tested, Well-Worn, or Battle-Scarred.
Does the AWP | Lightning Strike come in StatTrak™?
Yes. A StatTrak™ AWP | Lightning Strike exists and is listed separately on this page.
Can you trade up to an AWP | Lightning Strike?
Yes. Ten Classified skins from The Arms Deal Collection trade up to a Lightning Strike. The Classified skins are the AK-47 | Case Hardened and Desert Eagle | Hypnotic.
When was the AWP | Lightning Strike released?
August 2013, in CS:GO, with the Arms Deal update. It is still available in CS2.
Where can I buy an AWP | Lightning Strike?
The offers at the top of this page list every marketplace with a Lightning Strike for sale, with the lowest price for each condition.