What makes an AWP Blackiimov in CSGO? Secrets revealed

The Blackiimov is one of CS2’s most popular forbidden skins, but what makes it such an icon?

Most Counter-Strike 2 players want their skins as clean as possible. Factory new is the gold standard for any cosmetic, and the top condition is the most desirable for the vast majority of weapons. However, there are a few cases where worse is actually better. The Blackiimov is the most famous example of a disgusting skin being worth just as much, if not more, than a clean example. The skin’s legacy stretches back to the early days of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, so newer players may not realize its significance.

Here’s everything there is to know about the Blackiimov, the most famous battle-scarred skin in all of CS2.

Everything to know about the AWP | Asiimov

The AWP | Asiimov is one of CS2’s most popular and iconic skins.

The AWP is famous for its appearance in pro play from the glory days of Global Offensive, but it remains an icon in the Source 2 engine. The skin originally released in Operation Phoenix way back in 2014. On top of being part of an battle pass-exclusive crate, the skin is a covert, the highest gun rarity. This has kept supply relatively low even a decade later.

The Asiimov is also notable for its unusual float values. There are no factory new or even minimal wear Asiimovs. The cleanest examples are only listed as field-tested. This is already quite unusual, but unlike most float-capped guns, field-tested Asiimovs can look incredibly clean. Most of the scratches are relegated to the back half of the gun, out of sight and out of mind. However, this low float cap also comes with an incredibly low float floor. Battle-scarred Asiimovs can look absolutely filthy, and this quirk is the origin of the Blackiimov.

What is a Blackiimov in CS2?

A Blackiimov is an AWP | Asiimov with a float value so low that the majority of the skin looks black.

This is due to a strange trait of the skin where battle-scarred Asiimovs peel away the majority of the paint to reveal a plain black AWP underneath. Even the dirtiest Asiimovs will still have some white and orange details on them. However, the scope is the first place where the paint fades away. A true Blackiimov will have a completely black scope with the rest of the gun all scratched up.

While it may seem strange to outsiders, the Blackiimov holds serious cultural significance to CS2 veterans. It released during a time when the skin trade was incredibly opaque and everyone was looking for a way to make their skins stand out. This resulted in various forms of snake oil from silly Slaughter patterns to allegedly rare float values. The Blackiimov was one such unique trait, but players took it seriously once AWP god Kenny “kennyS” Schrub started using one. His trademark “Magic Stick” became the source of hundreds of copycats, and to imitate the pro, players needed a Blackiimov.

What is a fake Blackiimov in CS2?

A fake Blackiimov in CS2 is an AWP | Asiimov that is very dirty, but still sports some color on the scope.

The black in Blackiimov refers specifically to the scope. Even at the highest float value, the majority of the gun is still white and orange. However, the absolute highest floats feature an entirely black scope with no scuff marks whatsoever. These are more common that true Blackiimovs, which makes them easier to find and cheaper on the secondary market.

It’s relatively common for CS2 traders to advertise their Asiimovs as Blackiimovs in order to demand a higher price. Players who don’t know the difference can get scammed as a result. Players looking to upgrade their arsenal with a true Blackiimov ought to know the difference. All but the blackest Blackiimov will still have some semblance of paint near the very back of the scope. This is generally considered acceptable. For reference, Blackiimovs tend to start at float values near .96 and up, though the exact breakpoint is ultimately up to the buyer.

Does the Blackiimov still exist in CS2?

While generally considered a relic of CSGO culture, the Blackiimov definitely still exists in CS2.

The Source 2 switch resulted in several major skin changes, but the Blackiimov remains as a testament to history. If anything, the skin became even more common. It appears that the breakpoint for a truly all-black scope became lower in CS2, as some fake Blackiimovs upgraded to the real McCoy.

The AWP got a complete remodel in CS2, which has resulted in the scope of some skins becoming fully black where before they had some scratches toward the back. Some players have noted difficulty in finding a Blackiimov, but this can largely be attributed to the increased number of AWP skins relative to the glory days of Operation Phoenix. The skin’s limited supply and relative age have also jacked up the price well beyond what it used to be. These two factors make it seem rarer than it actually is, but the Blackiimov certainly does still exist in CS2.