The M249 SAW (which stands for Squad Automatic Weapon), typically just called the M249, is a light machine gun manufactured by Belgian firearm manufacturer FN Herstal. This gun is the US adaptation of the FN Minimi machine gun, and there are only minor differences between the two. Since its introduction in 1984, the M249 is a staple in the United States Armed Forces, and it has seen widespread use in practically every conflict the US has been in.
There are multiple variants of the M249, with the most popular and recognized being the Para variant. This version has a sliding stock and other modifications to make it more compact. The Para is widely used by mobile infantry units. Prior to Global Offensive, the version of the M249 present was the Para version. However, in CS:GO and CS2, the standard variant of the M249 is used as no sliding stock can be seen. The M249 is a Mid-Tier light machine gun available by both Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists.
How good is the M249?
The M249 is arguably the worst gun in all of CS2. And that is for one reason only: it’s ridiculous $5200 price tag. This makes it the most expensive gun in the game, and it does not have the stats to back up its cost.
Compared to the main rifles in the game, the M4A4/M4A1-S and AK-47, the M249 is a ripoff. The M249 has better damage than the M4s, and actually has the potential to one-shot headshot helmeted opponents… at point blank. It loses this ability at medium and long range, meaning it’s worse than the AK-47 in that regard. It also is less accurate than the rifles, which is baffling for something of its cost. The only advantage the M249 offers is a faster fire rate, which makes it pretty good at close range. You could argue the 100 bullet magazine is an upside, but this is CS2—if you can’t secure multiple kills with the 30 round rifle magazines, you have other problems to worry about…
Prior to the Negev rework, the Negev had a price tag of $5700, but had better damage, a higher fire rate, and 50 more bullets per magazine compared to the M249. This made spending the extra $500 well worth it , and although it still was not worth its cost the Negev was a significantly more viable choice than the M249 (to the point where the M249 was nicknamed “The Misclick”). However, eventually the Negev got reworked into a $1700 semi-effective laser beam, while the M249 was untouched. And to this day, the M249 is a $5200 dollar gun that’s ever so slightly better than the Counter-Terrorists M4s, but still worse than the $2700 AK-47.
However, given its notoriety for being a bad weapon, the M249 can be delegated as a trash talking weapon. You really only buy this gun when you are steamrolling the other team, and you decide you want to humiliate your enemies further. Though, this requires giving up a Mid-Tier weapon slot that could be utilized by an actually useful gun… But hey, video games are about having fun, and using this gun shows you aren’t taking the match seriously. And if you’re serious about really tilting your enemies, having a great looking M249 is the best way to do it. So with that in mind, here are the 10 best M249 skins in CS2. The best part? Almost all of these are very cheap! All prices shown are for Factory-New condition.
What are the best M249 skins in CS2? (Prices shown for Factory New)
10. Deep Relief ($.95)
Deep Relief in action:
The Deep Relief covers the M249 in a contour map, and it’s also been painted with darkening colors to give the pattern a sense of depth. The amount of detail is something that should be appreciated, and it makes it look like parts of this gun were carved out. Unfortunately it doesn’t go for a 3-D effect using normal mapping like a lot of other skins do, and I think the skin could have benefitted from it.
9. Emerald Poison Dart ($3.04)
Emerald Poison Dart in action:
The Emerald Poison Dart gives the M249 an intricate design inspired by a poison dart frog. The black and yellow sections have a nice look to them, though I do wish the rest of the skin was more “emerald.” The real life green and black poison dart frog has a bit more of a pale neon green hue to it, and I think the skin would have looked amazing with it.
8. Submerged ($.12)
Submerged in action:
The Submerge paints the gun in two simple patterns. Most of the gun is a wavy teal design, which gets broken up by very nice looking copper patterns. This is the staple steampunk color palette, and I think this works excellently on a big and boxy gun like the M249. This gun is somehow a white-tier skin, which makes it extremely cheap, but to me it rivals some of the blue-tier skins in the game.
7. Magma ($1.62)
Magma in action:
The Magma covers the main body of the gun in a dark copper, and parts have been oxidized blue. A red pattern has also been applied to some areas to give it the image of cracked rock where lava can be seen through it. This skin got a huge upgrade when ported to CS2, and it takes full advantage of the new material system. The new Magma looks brighter and more sparkly, so now it looks more like outer space. This led the price of the skin to drastically increase.
6. Aztec ($1.84)
Aztec in action:
The Aztec covers the main body of the gun in a mossy stone design, with complex patterns etched into the gun similar to what is seen in ancient ruins. Effort was definitely put into the light mapping of this skin, as it looks practically 3-D with all the engraved markings. This skin was part of the CS20 collection, and pays homage to the map Aztec, which was in every Counter-Strike title until its eventual removal in a Global Offensive update. Ancient is its spiritual successor, as that map has a similar theme.
5. Nebula Crusader ($4.26)
Nebula Crusader in action:
The Nebula Crusader gives the M249 a design inspired by retro arcade games. There’s a lot of artwork on it that looks like something you’d find on an old arcade cabinet. This skin also got a nice upgrade going into CS2, as overall it’s brighter, letting the diverse set of colors shine. Additionally, the ruby red along the stock and grip becomes more reflective—having an almost candied finish.
4. O.S.I.P.R. ($.47)
O.S.I.P.R. in action:
The O.S.I.P.R. is a pretty simple skin, as most of the skin gets covered in a gunmetal gray, besides the stock and grip which get painted black. The only detailing is the Combine logo from Half-Life 2 stenciled onto the box magazine in a lighter shade of gray. This gun is a reference to the Overwatch Pulse Rifle in HL2, and the M249 has a shape that’s very similar to it. The reference alone makes this skin already awesome in my opinion (as I’m a big fan of the Half-Life series), but the skin looks really clean on top of that. I quite like the gunmetal shade chosen.
3. System Lock ($.58)
System Lock in action:
The System Lock paints the M249 in a scarlet and black design that looks sci-fi-esque. There’s also white accents and text that add to the futuristic look of the gun. This skin is essentially the Cyrex finish put onto an M249, and that’s a high-tier finish, quite different from the blue-tier this skin is classified as. Make sure to get this skin in a lower wear value if possible, as it does seem to scratch a lot as the float value increases. Though, this skin is still pretty cheap even at Factory New.
2. Spectre ($.27)
Spectre in action:
The Spectre is a great looking skin. The arctic camo looks fantastic, and the black and yellow portions compliment it well. This leads to a finish that feels sleek and modern. It gives off a similar feeling to the Asiimov line of skins, which are some of the best in the game in my opinion. The only caveat is that this skin scratches like crazy, so 100% get a Factory New variant if you want to pick this up. This is surprisingly one of the cheapest skins on this list, despite it being one of the best.
1. Downtown ($1.95)
Downtown in action:
This is easily the best and most eye-catching M249 skin in CS2, in my opinion. Out of all the options available, this has the most vibrant color palette with both bright blue and magenta being present. The arrow design is in the same style as typical graffiti styles and it looks pretty dynamic as a result. And just like the past couple of skins listed, this finish scratches a lot as it wears. This one is probably the worst offender, as it looks significantly worse Field-Tested than Factory New.
