Doppler Phases in CS2, Explained
What each Doppler and Gamma Doppler phase looks like, which ones are rare, and where Doppler knives come from.
Doppler and Gamma Doppler are knife finishes (and one Glock-18 skin) that come in several phases. A phase is a separate colour version of the same finish, and each trades at its own price. The rare "gem" phases cost many times more than the normal ones.
Doppler phases
| Phase | Look | Rarity |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Mostly black and dark purple | Common |
| Phase 2 | Pink and purple, the most popular normal phase | Common |
| Phase 3 | Green, teal and blue tones | Common |
| Phase 4 | Blue and purple | Common |
| Ruby | Solid red | Rare gem |
| Sapphire | Solid blue | Rare gem |
| Black Pearl | Dark purple and black | Rare gem |
Phase 1Karambit | Doppler
Phase 2Karambit | Doppler
Phase 3Karambit | Doppler
Phase 4Karambit | Doppler
RubyKarambit | Doppler
SapphireKarambit | Doppler
Black PearlKarambit | DopplerGamma Doppler phases
| Phase | Look | Rarity |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1–4 | Green and blue tones, each phase a different mix | Common |
| Emerald | Solid green | Rare gem |
Phase 1Karambit | Gamma Doppler
Phase 2Karambit | Gamma Doppler
Phase 3Karambit | Gamma Doppler
Phase 4Karambit | Gamma Doppler
EmeraldKarambit | Gamma DopplerDoppler on each knife
The same phase looks different on each knife model. Ruby and Sapphire on popular knives:
Karambit RubyDopplerKarambit SapphireDoppler
Butterfly Knife RubyDoppler
Butterfly Knife SapphireDoppler
M9 Bayonet RubyDoppler
M9 Bayonet SapphireDoppler
Bayonet RubyDoppler
Bayonet SapphireDoppler
Talon Knife RubyDoppler
Talon Knife SapphireDoppler
Skeleton Knife RubyDoppler
Skeleton Knife SapphireDoppler
Flip Knife RubyDoppler
Flip Knife SapphireDoppler
Stiletto Knife RubyDoppler
Stiletto Knife SapphireDopplerDoppler exists on 18 knives: Bayonet, Bowie Knife, Butterfly Knife, Falchion Knife, Flip Knife, Gut Knife, Huntsman Knife, Karambit, M9 Bayonet, Navaja Knife, Nomad Knife, Paracord Knife, Shadow Daggers, Skeleton Knife, Stiletto Knife, Survival Knife, Talon Knife, Ursus Knife.
Which phases are worth the most?
- Black Pearl, Ruby, Sapphire (Doppler) and Emerald (Gamma Doppler): the gem phases, usually worth several times a normal phase.
- Phase 2 and Phase 4: the most wanted normal Doppler phases. Collectors rate Phase 2 by how much pink shows and Phase 4 by how much blue.
- Phase 1 and Phase 3: usually the cheapest phases of the same knife.
Knife model matters as much as phase: the same phase costs far more on a Karambit or Butterfly than on a Gut Knife or Navaja. Doppler knives only come in Factory New and Minimal Wear, so float matters less than phase and colour.
How to tell phases apart
- Look at the whole blade in the inspect view: Phase 1 is dark with little colour, Phase 2 is mostly pink, Phase 3 mostly green, Phase 4 mostly blue.
- Market and trading-site listings name the phase, so you don't have to guess when buying.
- The Glock-18 | Gamma Doppler also comes in phases (including Emerald) and is priced the same way.
Which cases drop Doppler knives?
Doppler comes with the Chroma knife finishes, found in the Chroma, Chroma 2, Chroma 3, Spectrum, Spectrum 2, Prisma, Prisma 2 and Fever cases. Gamma Doppler comes with the Gamma finishes in the Gamma, Gamma 2, Operation Riptide and Dreams & Nightmares cases. The phase is random: you can't choose it when you unbox, or when you trade up.
A knife trade-up can land a Doppler, but the phase is random. Check the odds in the knife trade-up calculator.
Related: blue gem Case Hardened, most expensive knives, Karambit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Doppler phase?
The gem phases: Ruby, Sapphire and Black Pearl for Doppler, and Emerald for Gamma Doppler. Among normal phases, Phase 2 is usually the most wanted.
How do I check a Doppler phase?
The phase is part of the item name on the Steam market and on trading sites; in game you can tell by the colours when you inspect it.
Can you pick the phase in a trade-up?
No. The phase is random, like when you unbox.