When I think about the most iconic CS:GO skins, the Howl skin instantly comes to mind. It’s more than just a red-tier skin—it’s a piece of history. Back in 2014, the M4A4 Howl was reclassified as the only “Contraband” skin in CS:GO history after a copyright dispute forced Valve to remove it from active drop pools. That move made it permanently unobtainable through normal case openings.
Fast forward to 2025, and this skin is still climbing in both price and prestige. The combination of a fiery design, its legal drama, and its ultra-limited supply turned the Howl into a collector’s grail.
But here’s what most players don’t realize: the CS:GO Howl series isn’t just one skin. There are other items—stickers and collectibles—that complete the Howl theme. In this guide, I’ll break down every Howl-related item and help you decide which ones are worth buying based on price, rarity, and future value.
M4A4 Howl: The Crown Jewel of the Howl Collection
Let’s start with the centerpiece: the M4A4 Howl. This skin features an aggressive red-and-black wolf artwork, framed by flames and wild energy. It’s exclusive to the Huntsman Case, but only in a historical context—because today, you can’t pull it from anywhere. That’s why every M4A4 Howl currently in circulation is part of a limited supply.
Condition and Price Breakdown (2025)
| Condition | StatTrak | Price Range (USD) |
| Factory New | Yes | $15,000 – $20,000+ |
| Factory New | No | $10,000 – $13,000 |
| Minimal Wear | Yes | $8,000 – $11,000 |
| Minimal Wear | No | $5,500 – $7,500 |
| Field-Tested | Yes | $6,000 – $8,000 |
| Field-Tested | No | $4,000 – $5,500 |
| Well-Worn | Yes | $4,000 – $5,500 |
| Battle-Scarred | No | $3,000 – $4,200 |
StatTrak versions come with a serious premium, and low float values in Factory New or Minimal Wear are considered blue-chip assets in the CS2 skin economy.
Why Is It Still Worth Buying?
If you’re buying the M4A4 Howl, you’re not just buying a weapon skin—you’re buying a status symbol. It’s frequently used by high-tier pros, collectors, and long-term investors. I treat my Howl more like an asset than a cosmetic.
For those serious about skin investing or building a standout loadout, the M4A4 Howl remains the top-tier choice—no other rifle skin carries this kind of weight and history.
Other Howl-Themed Items You Should Know About
The M4A4 Howl might be the centerpiece, but it isn’t the only way to rep the Howl theme. If you want to expand your collection or go for a fully coordinated loadout, there are several Howl-related accessories—from stickers to patches and even charms. Some are affordable, others are rare collector’s items. I’ve personally looked into all of them and here’s what I recommend.
Sticker | Howling Dawn
Price: about ￥4,000–￥7,000+
Why It Matters: This sticker is the most iconic in the Howl series, and the pattern is the angry red wolf head. Even though the M4A4 | Howl has experienced a copyright storm, this sticker has been retained without any changes, so its collection value has only increased. In my opinion, it is like a “brother model” of the Howl rifle, and it can even support a red-themed skin combination alone.
Tips: The effect of matching with red and black gun skins is particularly explosive, such as using it on AK-47 | Fire Snake or Desert Eagle | Headhunter, which can create a very rare and high-end visual combination.
Sticker | Baby Howl
Price: ~$10–$25
Why It Matters: A playful version of the Howl graphic, with a chibi-style wolf. It’s much cheaper than the Howling Dawn, making it perfect for casual collectors or themed loadouts.
Great For: Anyone who wants to show Howl love without spending hundreds.
Patch | Howl
Price: ~$20–$35
Why It Matters: Patches are relatively new in the CS2 world, and this one lets you wear the Howl on your agent’s sleeve. I use it on agents like Number K or Maximus to create a matching vibe with my red skins.
Bonus: Adds personality during MVP scenes and closeups.
Sealed Graffiti | Howling Dawn
Price: $50–$90
Why It Matters: A unique way to tag the battlefield with Howl energy. Unlike stickers or patches, this one shows up in-game. When I spray this near mid-doors or site entry points, it’s a subtle flex every time.
Warning: Graffiti has limited uses, so treat it like a collectible.
Charm | Hot Howl
Price: ~$5 (CS2 charm drops / fan events)
Why It Matters: While not as rare as the sticker, the Hot Howl charm is a fun, fiery keychain-like addition for fans who want to accessorize even further.
My Tip: Use it for themed screenshots or stream visuals.
Howl Pin
Price: ~$15–$30
Why It Matters: Technically not an in-game item, but this enamel-style physical pin is part of official CS merch. I own one and it’s a solid collector piece if you want to take your fandom offline.
Where to Find: Collectible Pins Capsule Series 3.
Buying advice: Things you should pay attention to before buying Howl skin
To be honest, it is not easy to spend thousands or even tens of thousands to buy a virtual gun skin. Every time before I buy Howl skin, I will pay special attention to the following key points to avoid pitfalls and try to make the investment more worthwhile.
1. Be sure to look at the Float value (wear and tear)
For the same brand new M4A4 | Howl, the appearance of 0.00 floating point and 0.06 may be very different. Especially under lighting, the sharpness of the red wolf head will be significantly affected.
2. Should I choose StatTrak?
The rarity of StatTrak’s Howl is higher, and some collectors only collect this type. If you are going for collection or long-term appreciation, I suggest going directly to StatTrak + small grinding or above. But if you just want to play with it on a daily basis, then choose the ordinary Battle Scar or Battle Hardened version, which is much more cost-effective.
3. Seize the opportunity to buy
Howl’s price fluctuations have a lot to do with competitions or CS2 updates. Sometimes the price will soar as soon as the visual upgrade is released. If you want to wait for a low price, you can keep an eye on the market fluctuations after updates or competitions. Sometimes there will be a short-term “buy opportunity” when supply exceeds demand.
4. You have to treat it as a collectible
M4A4 | Howl is not an ordinary skin in essence, but a “limited collection”. It is more like a digital card or a rare NFT. The core logic of the price increase is scarcity rather than practicality. So don’t just think that playing a few games will be worth the price. Its core value is “you have the one that others don’t have.”
FAQs
Q1: Why did Howl become a banned skin?
Because the original M4A4 | Howl pattern was suspected of plagiarism, after being reported for copyright in 2014, Valve removed it and marked it as “prohibited”, and no new skins were produced.
Q2: Is it better to buy low float or choose StatTrak?
If you are a collector or investor, it is recommended to choose StatTrak + low float. If you are pursuing cost-effectiveness, it is also good to choose a battle-hardened version with a clean appearance.
Q3: Will Howl be out of the box in the future?
No. Howl is the only banned skin, and the number is permanently capped. Those that have been put into storage will basically not be circulated again. The earlier you buy it, the more valuable it is.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a status symbol, a brand new or slightly polished M4A4 | Howl, especially the StatTrak version, is undoubtedly the top choice. Even the battle-scarred version is more prestigious than most red skins in the game.
If you have a limited budget, the Howling Dawn sticker is a good starting point to enter the world of Howl. Sticking it on your commonly used weapon can not only show your personality, but also carry a sense of CS history.
Personally, I think Howl is one of the few skins that can maintain its value for a long time. Among the endless new boxes and skins, Howl will always be unique. This is also the reason why I have always kept it locked up and not sold it easily.
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