P250 | Cartel (Field-Tested)

Skin overview

Cartel relies on texture rather than bright colour, so its character comes from the engraved slide and the decorated grip. In Field-Tested the polished steel starts to look used, with visible scuffs on the edges, while the engraved panels still keep their pattern. For a metal finish of this kind the slightly aged look fits the theme naturally.

Item type: pistol. Classified is the second-rarest weapon tier, only Covert sits above it.

Patina: an aged metal surface; wear is part of the design, so the gap between qualities is less visible.

The remaining qualities of this skin: Factory New, Minimal Wear, Well-Worn and Battle-Scarred.

How the skin looks in Field-Tested

The slide is a dark gunmetal grey with recessed panels along its side filled with dense ornamental engraving, framed by smooth polished bands and serrations at the rear. The frame, trigger guard and trigger are bright polished steel, which gives the pistol a two-tone look against the darker slide.

Scuffs are visible on the slide edges, muzzle and top corners, and the polished frame begins to look duller around the trigger guard. The engraving on the slide panels is still clearly readable but has lost some contrast. In game the pistol looks used yet tidy at normal distance. The grip and its skull emblem stay largely intact.

Field-Tested quality — float range 0.15–0.38

The whole float range of P250 | Cartel is 0–0.75; Field-Tested takes the 0.15–0.38 segment (31% of the scale). Within the range, copies with a lower float look cleaner and are valued higher.

Origin of the skin

The skin’s collection is The Vanguard Collection with 14 skins in total.

It drops from Operation Vanguard Weapon Case (on sale since Nov 5, 2014).

What it costs in each quality

By price this skin is 6th of 10 skins Classified P250 in this quality (the first being the dearest).

StatTrak™ and Souvenir

This skin has a the StatTrak™ version with a kill counter. Right now it is 1.8× dearer than the regular one. There is also a the Souvenir version with tournament stickers.

Stickers and crafts

Stickers in silver, black, bone white or muted gold match the engraved metal and the skull motif. Small accents of deep red or marigold orange can echo the Day of the Dead theme without breaking the restrained palette. Placing them on the slide keeps the engraved grip emblem visible.

What to look at before you buy

• Check where the float sits within the wear range, since copies near the cleaner end keep noticeably more shine on the steel.
• Inspect the slide edges, muzzle and trigger guard, as these parts show wear first.
• Look at how readable the engraving on the slide panels is in the inspect view.
• Note any applied stickers or name tag and whether they suit the dark metal theme.

Who should buy Field-Tested

• Players who want the skin for everyday use and like a slightly aged metal look.
• Buyers who look for copies near the cleaner end of the range for good value.
• Conclusion: a practical grade that suits the engraved theme well.