TL;DR
- Armory Pass costs $16 and requires Prime Status, offering 40 total credits per pass
- Earn credits through XP gains: 300 XP = 1 credit, unaffected by weekly limits
- Competitive/Premier matches provide fastest credit earning rates
- Multiple passes can be purchased and progressed simultaneously for maximum rewards
- Complete all rewards requires approximately 40 Competitive matches per pass
Games and Esports Articles CS 2
Valve has introduced the inaugural Armory Pass for CS2, marking a significant content update that includes three distinct cosmetic collections, one weapon case, various charms, sticker options, and an exclusive limited edition Desert Eagle skin. Priced at $16, this premium content package operates through a credit-based progression system that rewards active gameplay.
Access to Armory Pass purchases is restricted to accounts with active Prime Status, ensuring the system remains exclusive to verified players. Each pass provides a total of 40 credits, with only a single credit granted immediately upon purchase. The remaining 39 credits must be earned through gameplay on Valve’s official matchmaking servers. A notable feature allows players to purchase up to five separate Armory Passes simultaneously, with progression occurring across all active passes concurrently. These accumulated credits can then be exchanged for various cosmetic items as detailed in the reward catalog.
- Gallery Case — 2 credits
- Random charm from any collection — 3 credits
- Random skin from any collection costs — 4 credits
- Random sticker — 1 credit
- Desert Eagle | Heat Treated — 25 credits

Credit accumulation follows your standard XP earning patterns across all official game modes, but efficiency varies dramatically between modes. Competitive and Premier matches deliver the highest credit yields per time invested, making them the optimal choice for serious grinders. Wingman mode serves as a solid secondary option, followed by Deathmatch and Arms Race variants. Casual matches provide the slowest credit progression rate due to their extended duration and lower XP rewards.
The conversion rate is fixed at 300 XP equals 1 credit, which translates to approximately 10 round victories in Competitive matches. Importantly, credit earnings remain unaffected by weekly XP bonuses or reduction caps, allowing for continuous progression regardless of playtime. Even matches that yield 0 XP due to various factors will still contribute to your credit total. When operating multiple Armory Passes simultaneously, each completed game session applies credit gains to every active pass. Direct credit purchases are unavailable—the only method to acquire credits involves earning XP while maintaining an active Armory Pass subscription.
To extract maximum value from this limited-time event, purchasing all five available Armory Passes and dedicating time to XP grinding becomes essential. Completing a single pass requires approximately 40 Competitive or Premier matches under average performance conditions, though this timeframe can be reduced significantly with consistent victory performance. Strategic players should prioritize game modes that align with their skill strengths to optimize credit earning efficiency.
Common mistakes include underestimating the time commitment required for full completion and failing to utilize the most efficient game modes for their playstyle. Advanced optimization involves tracking your personal performance metrics across different modes to identify where you achieve the highest XP-per-minute rates. For players seeking comprehensive cosmetic collections, our Weapons Unlock guide provides additional strategies for weapon customization.
Action Checklist
- Verify Prime Status and purchase Armory Pass
- Focus on Competitive/Premier matches for optimal credit rates
- Track XP gains to identify personal efficiency patterns
- Consider multiple passes if pursuing complete cosmetic collection
- Prioritize Desert Eagle skin (25 credits) or distribute across smaller items
No reproduction without permission:Game Guides » CS2 Armory Pass guide: How to get credits? How many credits you earn for XP? How to unlock all rewards and skins? Complete CS2 Armory Pass guide: Credit earning strategies, reward optimization, and time-saving tips
