All CS2 doppler phases explained: Full guide and price info

Every CS2 skin enthusiast shoud know the Doppler phases like the back of their hands, but there’s a lot more than meets the eye.

Doppler knives first entered Counter-Strike 2 during the Global Offensive era way back in 2015, yet they remain some of the most coveted melee weapons in the game. The skin’s signature trick is its seven-in-one pattern system, the most of any knife skin. Opening a Doppler is just the first step toward realizing what players opened. All of them cost a pretty penny, but misidentifying a Doppler can result in losing out on several thousand dollars.

If you’re curious about CS2’s most complicated knife skin, here’s every Doppler phase and price explained with images.

Doppler Phase 1

When CS2 players think of a Doppler, the Phase 1 is usually what pops into their heads. This version is known for its wide array of colors, though pink and blue take center stage. Phase 1s can also have flecks of blood red and black throughout. Red on the tip of the knife is usually the most desirable. The sheer quantity of color combinations make Phase 1 arguably the most complex of the Doppler phases in CS2, and it’s a popular pick as a play knife.

As for their price, Phase 1 Dopplers are average. Top knife models like Karambits and M9 Bayonets can sell for upward of $2,000 with significantly lower prices for Gut Knives and Flips.

Doppler Phase 2

Players who are lucky enough to open a Doppler should be ecstatic to see a Phase 2. Of the four basic phases, this is the most valuable thanks to its unique color combos. There are very few pink knives in CS2 for it to compete against. The Phase 2’s trademark is its mix of pink and black with occasional fades to purple. Generally speaking, players want as much pink as possible on the playside of the knife.

A Phase 2 Doppler knife can fetch thousands of dollars on the secondary market with the right model. However, Gut Knives can go for as little as $300.

Doppler Phase 3

Phase 3 is the least desirable of the bunch, but a Doppler is still a Doppler. These skins are the darkest of the family, with black as the dominant color surrounded by brushtrokes of blue. They look great in bright lighting and pair well with a variety of gloves. However, their relatively tame look puts Phase 3 Dopplers on the bottom end of the spectrum. The price of a Phase 3 Doppler can be as little  $230, but a Butterfly is still worth a couple thousand on a good day.

It can sometimes be difficult to tell Phase 3 apart from Phase 4, but the telltale sign is a streak of green that is only visible in the light. Some Phase 3 owners try to market their knives as “fake black pearls,” but that additional value is purely up to the buyer.

Doppler Phase 4

Phase 4 is a tricky one among Dopplers. Certain traders desire it due to its vibrant blue color, which makes it an excellent pairing for certain pricy gloves. However, it generally ranks below the Phase 2 in terms of desirability. Phase 4 knives will feature a ton of blue streaked with black, almost making it an inverse of the Phase 3. These knives are also much prettier in low light conditions with the blue visible at all times. Certain patterns even have a fleck of gray to them.

Phase 4 Dopplers are just below Phase 2s for price. An M9 Bayonet similar to the one above currently sells for around $1,300 depending on the exact pattern.

Doppler Black Pearl

The Doppler Black Pearl is, in some respects, the absolute rarest knife in CS2. These blades are predominantly purple with various shades running throughout. They can look almost black in the dark but explode into color with some overhead lighting. Their unique mottled texture is layered, and staring deep can reveal undertones of white, gray, and light blue. Among Black Pearls, there is an even rarer variant known as a glacier that features swirls of light blue mixed into the playside.

These knives are even rarer that Rubies and Sapphires, though this is rarely reflected in their price. Black Pearls are less pricy than the gems, but are still quite expensive with Butterfly Knives selling for a minimum of $8,000.

Doppler Sapphire

A favorite of pro players, the Sapphire Doppler has become an icon in competitive play. When players open a Doppler, the games rolls yet more dice to determine if they will open a gem. If they roll high, players can get either a Sapphire or Ruby, which are very rare compared to the standard Doppler phases. The Sapphire is the more valuable of the two. These knives are practically holographic, reflecting their bright blue tones back at the wielder no matter the lighting condition. The pattern consists of various shades of blue with only the faintest hint of green on some patterns.

Due to their rarity and popularity with top grinders, Sapphires have some of the highest price tags among non-unique knives in CS2. The M9 pictured above sells for around $11,000.

Doppler Ruby

The Ruby is no slouch among CS2 Doppler phases either. The Ruby isn’t quite as famous as its big blue brother, but it still ranks among the rarest and most expensive knives in all of CS2. Rubies share many qualities with the Sapphire. They are even brighter in the sun, with a piercing red finish polished to a mirror sheen. Instead of green swirls, Rubies feature black threads running through the skin that further emphasize the red. The knife’s claim to fame is its completely distinct color palette compared to the rest of the family. There’s no mistaking a particularly red Phase 2 for a Ruby.

Rubies require only a slightly cheaper price than Sapphires, with a clean M9 Bayonet asking around $10,000 depending on the exact float.