Nova | Graphite (Minimal Wear)

Skin overview

This Nova keeps the same restrained graphite look: a dark faceted body, a glossy barrel and a ribbed pump in a cool grey tone. Minimal Wear copies may have a few faint marks on edges, but the pattern itself stays whole. The finish is dark enough that these small marks are hard to spot during a round.

Item type: shotgun. Restricted sits in the middle of the rarity scale: noticeably rarer than Mil-Spec, yet not truly rare.

Anodized Multicolored: several colours in the metal coating; it wears little, the colours only dull with use.

The remaining qualities of this skin: Factory New.

How the skin looks in Minimal Wear

The receiver and the stock carry a dense polygon pattern in black and dark graphite tones, with some facets slightly more reflective than others. The long barrel is a deep, glossy blue-black that catches highlights along its length.

Minimal Wear may add light scuffs on the muzzle end and on the edges of the pump forend. The receiver and stock can show a few small specks where the paint has thinned on raised edges. The barrel gloss and the polygon pattern remain intact on most of the surface. In game these marks blend into the dark finish and are rarely noticeable.

Minimal Wear wear: float 0.07–0.12

The whole float range of Nova | Graphite is 0–0.12; Minimal Wear takes the 0.07–0.12 segment (42% of the scale). Within the range, copies with a lower float look cleaner and are valued higher.

Origin of the skin

Nova | Graphite belongs to The Arms Deal 2 Collection, which holds 12 skins.

The source is CS:GO Weapon Case 2 (on sale since Sep 20, 2013).

What it costs in each quality

By price this skin is 4th of 13 skins Restricted Nova in this quality (the first being the dearest).

StatTrak™ and Souvenir

There is also a the StatTrak™ version: the counter on the weapon tracks kills. Right now it is 1.8× dearer than the regular one. There is also a the Souvenir version with tournament stickers.

Which stickers suit it

Silver, holographic and foil stickers suit the metallic polygon finish and pick up its reflections. Black and white or monochrome designs keep the restrained look, while a single bright accent on the receiver stands out well against the dark body.

What to look at before you buy

• Compare the float within the range, since lower values keep the muzzle and forend edges cleaner.
• Look at the inspect view of the muzzle end and the pump, where any thinning of the paint shows first.
• Check applied stickers and name tags, as they change the overall dark look of the weapon.
• Decide whether you want a StatTrak™ or Souvenir version, as both exist for this skin.

Who should buy Minimal Wear

• Players who want a neat, dark Nova and do not mind barely visible marks.
• Buyers looking for a cheaper entry while keeping almost the same look in game.
• Conclusion: a practical option with little visual compromise.