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What's the deal with CS:GO keys and 'refined metals'?

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bugsylove

So I've heard about these a bunch in the Trade section, and I'm curious about exactly what they are. I assume the CS:GO keys are something you earn playing Counter-Strike, but how do you earn them and what are they used for? And what the hell are refined metals (or refs)? Is that from another game?

9 years ago

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16 Comments
Ragecry

I assume the CS:GO keys are something you earn playing Counter-Strike

Wrong, you can only have keys by buying or trading stuff, they're used as a steam currency for trading, each key is 2,50€. You can also use them to open CS:GO cases.

what the hell are refined metals

Refined metals are items (metal) that you can craft on TF2, you can't really buy them on Steam Market, each ref costs around 0.15€. You can only use them to trade or craft other items in-game.

9 years ago
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bugsylove

That makes sense. Thanks for clarifying. One more question, what do the CS:GO cases contain? Items for use in game?

9 years ago
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Ragecry

Cases contain gun skins. You need a key to open a case (like i said before), you can get skins worth 0.04€ up to +300€.
Skins are used in-game, they only change your gun skins, they won't add any extra damage or etc.

9 years ago
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9 years ago
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Ragecry

Thats nothing compared to the AWP | Dragon Lore Factory New skin. Each one costs around 593 to 762 keys according to SteamAnalyst. (1905€)
Looks do really matter, percentage of fade, skin pattern and external look (Factory New, Minimal Wear, etc)Im talking about knife skins here

If you want to check more gun prices:

http://csgo.steamanalyst.com/
Dragon Lore as I said -> http://csgo.steamanalyst.com/id/120615

9 years ago
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9 years ago
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Ragecry

Im an active trader, got more than +100€ inventory just by trading in less than 5months.(Doing casual trades here and there)
In most cases, people dont really buy this stuff because they're into the game, they just want to trade to bigger inventories. They'll eventually end up selling for real money or buy games.

9 years ago
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9 years ago
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Ragecry

Well yeah, I started to trade because I wanted a knife skin i always loved, butterfly knife, ended up getting it, keep it for a month just to play and then traded for 2 knifes making a 40€ profit.

Never keep a skin for too long, you take the risk of them lowering prices.

9 years ago*
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9 years ago
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Ragecry

Haha hope you do start. Wish you luck to not get scammed!

9 years ago
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gothrana

yeah but chances of gettin a skin thats really expensive are lowto say the least search for knifes on market under csgo and u'll see some worthy skins for an almost never used weapon xD

9 years ago
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bugsylove

Gotcha.

9 years ago
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EsE

No, CS:GO keys are from the valve store, you get the boxes playing the game

9 years ago
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TheLuckyShamrock

CS:GO keys = you can buy them from the community market or the CS:GO store
Refined metal = you can combine scrap or reclaimed metal to make refined metal inside TF2

9 years ago
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talgaby

Just a friendly warning: the more CS/TF2 items you acquire as Steam currency alternatives, the more likely the less pleasant elements of trading find you. Luckily they don't go for people with large gems stack yet (that is the third possible currency type there, but its price is not stable enough as it is used up in large quantities compared to generating them) or who go for game for game trades (especially key for key trades).

9 years ago
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