Question 1

Is the Operation Riptide case still dropping in CS2?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but only in the rare drop pool. For every 400 weekly case drops a Prime player receives, approximately 1 is an Operation Riptide case. This supply trickle — combined with zero new case generations since February 2022 — is what drives its steady 35-40% annual price appreciation.

Question 2

Should I invest in Operation Riptide cases or open them?

Accepted Answer

Investment holding on Operation Riptide cases has returned 300% since 2022, while the expected value of opening a single case is negative ~$2.50 after factoring in key cost and drop probabilities. Holding sealed cases or buying the specific skin you want via a P2P marketplace like CSBoard eliminates the gambling component entirely.

Question 3

How does Operation Riptide compare to Operation Bravo for investment?

Accepted Answer

Bravo cases ($60) are the gold standard, with a 10-year CAGR over 50%, but their high entry price limits volume. Riptide ($1.30) offers a proven 35-40% annual growth trajectory at a fraction of the entry cost. Diversified holdings in both cases have become a common CS2 portfolio strategy.

Question 4

Where can I buy Operation Riptide skins without trading fees?

Accepted Answer

CSBoard lists over 1,800 Operation Riptide skins in a direct P2P marketplace with zero trading fees. You can browse live listings at /en/items?collection=operation-riptide and pay with crypto for near-instant delivery via Steam's official trade system, with no middleman bots on P2P trades.

Question 5

What is the best Operation Riptide skin to buy for under $100?

Accepted Answer

The M4A1-S | Player Two (Factory New) at ~$90 and the Galil AR | Chromatic Aberration (FN) at ~$35 are the two most frequently recommended budget picks. Player Two benefits from M4A1-S meta relevance and consistent trade-up demand, while Chromatic Aberration has posted a 4x price increase since early 2023.

Question 6

Can I trade Operation Riptide skins directly for USDT?

Accepted Answer

Yes. On CSBoard, you can sell Operation Riptide skins P2P and receive instant USDT payouts via TRC20, BEP20, Solana, or TON networks. There is no commission on P2P sales; the trade uses Steam's official trade window with no bot intermediaries.

Question 7

Why did Operation Riptide cases spike in price in 2024?

Accepted Answer

The 2024 CS2 launch brought a large influx of returning players, many of whom sought the nostalgic 2021-era skins from Riptide. Simultaneously, the rare drop adjustment cut visible supply on the Steam Community Market by roughly 40%, triggering a supply shock that pushed prices from $0.80 to the current $1.20-$1.50 range.

Feature	Operation Riptide	Operation Bravo
Release Date	September 2021	September 2013
Current Price	$1.20 – $1.50	$55 – $70
Key Covert Item	AWP \| Fade	AK-47 \| Fire Serpent
Discontinued	February 2022	Ended 2013
Drop Status	Rare drop pool	No drops
Annual Price Growth (5Y)	+35-40% avg.	+50-60% avg.

Operation Riptide Case: ROI Analysis, Contents, and Where to Buy in 2026

Operation Riptide Case vs. Operation Bravo Case

Top 5 Most Valuable Operation Riptide Case Skins

AWP | Fade (Factory New)

AK-47 | Leet Museo (Factory New)

M4A1-S | Player Two (Factory New)

Glock-18 | Gamma Doppler Emerald (FN)

Galil AR | Chromatic Aberration (Factory New)

Live Operation Riptide Inventory on CSBoard

AWP | Fade

AK-47 | Leet Museo

M4A1-S | Player Two

Glock-18 | Gamma Doppler

Frequently Asked Questions

Buy Operation Riptide Skins with Zero Fees