When we talk about the most recognizable cosmetic lines in CS2, a select few manage to command the exact same level of respect and admiration as this royal masterpiece. It feels like just yesterday we were opening our initial cases back in 2017, hoping to catch a glimpse of that striking golden glow spinning on the wheel. This time, we are getting into the details of the Tarot collection, examining what makes the Tarot collection tick, why it holds its value, and how it fits perfectly into your loadout.
A lot has changed in the game since its initial release, with engine updates drastically altering how certain finishes look in our hands. Fortunately, the transition to the new lighting system only solidified the status of the Tarot collection, making the gold accents pop even harder under the fresh map skies.
The Empress/Tarot collection breakdown
| Weapon | Collection | Rarity | Float Range | Standard Price Range | StatTrak Price Range |
| AK-47 | The Empress | The Spectrum 2 Collection | Covert | 0.00 – 1.00 | $90 – $370 | $150 – $900 |
| M4A4 | The Emperor | The Prisma Collection | Covert | 0.00 – 0.80 | $15 – $150 | $35 – $450 |
| USP-S | The Traitor | The Snakebite Collection | Covert | 0.00 – 1.00 | $10 – $60 | $25 – $200 |
| AWP | Mortis | The Clutch Collection | Classified | 0.00 – 0.64 | $2 – $20 | $5 – $50 |
| MAG-7 | Justice | The Prisma 2 Collection | Classified | 0.00 – 1.00 | $2 – $40 | $5 – $120 |
To avoid any confusion right from the start, we need to clarify what the Tarot collection actually encompasses. You might assume that a finish family as famous as the Tarot collection spans across 50 percent of the armory, gracing everything from your favorite sidearms to your trusty machine guns. The reality is much more curated, as the creators behind the Tarot collection, OniLolz, Zaphk, and 2Minds, chose to bless exactly 5 specific weapons with this exact thematic treatment.
They crafted a continuous tarot-inspired design lineage, where each firearm represents a specific major arcana card from the traditional deck. Moreover, much like the Asiimov or the Printstream collections, this one doesn’t boast too many weapons in it.
While the AK-47 is the sole bearer of The Empress title, it shares its spiritual and artistic DNA with 4 other meticulously crafted pieces, officially grouped by the community as the Empress/Tarot collection. We consider these 5 weapons to be the true, undisputed members of this royal family. To give you the complete picture, we will dissect The Empress rifle first, and then look at the other weapons that complete this exact same thematic bloodline.
AK-47 | The Empress
As the crown jewel of the Spectrum 2 Case, this assault rifle demands attention from the moment you pull it out of your inventory. The central artwork features a blonde monarch wearing a crown, surrounded by sun rays and intricate geometric patterns. The reds, blues, and golds create a regal palette that immediately stands out in any CS2 match, ensuring your teammates and enemies always notice what you are holding. If you buy this rifle, it will allow you to flex 1 of the most stable investments in the entire game while carrying a top-tier loadout within the Tarot collection.
The statistics and price ranges speak for themselves when we analyze the market data. A standard Factory New version will typically run you around $350 to $370, while Battle-Scarred copies hover near $90. If you want the StatTrak counter attached to track your frags, prepare to shell out upwards of $900 for a pristine Factory New copy. When we look at the float values, the scale ranges from 0.00 all the way to 1.00, meaning it is available in every single wear condition imaginable.
The wear ratings do not ruin the artwork, which is a massive relief for anyone shopping on a strict budget for the Tarot collection. Instead of scratching off and leaving gray metal exposed on the main receiver, the higher float values simply cause the weapon to darken. A heavy patina layer takes over, giving a Battle-Scarred copy a grim, battle-hardened look without destroying the core illustration. Pattern indexes do not change the artwork placement at all, so you never have to overpay for a rare pattern since every single drop looks identical in its placement.
We also have to talk about stickers, because if you are spending this much on The Empress, you want to dress it up properly. We often see players applying gold tournament signatures or red holographic team logos to highlight the existing colors. Natus Vincere golds or Astralis reds blend perfectly into the background without covering the face of the monarch, preserving the artwork while adding a personal touch. The Empress remains a canvas that respects the original art while allowing for tasteful modifications.
M4A4 | The Emperor
Dropping in the Prisma Case, this is the direct Counter-Terrorist counterpart to the main rifle, serving as the 2nd pillar of the Tarot collection. It draws heavily from the Emperor card to carry on the tarot-inspired design, swapping the warm reds and golds for a striking palette of deep blues and bright yellows. The artwork features an authoritative monarch holding a scepter, projecting pure dominance down the sights as you hold an angle on defense.
Price ranges for this rifle are a bit more forgiving for your wallet compared to The Empress. A standard Factory New sits around $150, while Battle-Scarred copies drop down to roughly $15 on third-party markets. StatTrak versions in Factory New can still fetch over $400 depending on the exact float.
The float ranges from 0.00 to 0.80, stopping just short of the absolute highest Battle-Scarred values. The pattern index does not alter the core graphic at all. Wear ratings here function similarly to the terrorist rifle, though you will notice a bit more darkening and slight scuffing on the magazine and stock as the float gets higher.
Just like the other royal variants, this weapon benefits massively from the CS2 lighting engine and the new Animgraph added into the game. The gold accents on the crown and scepter catch the sun on maps like Dust 2 and Mirage, creating a visual spectacle that distracts enemies just as much as it impresses allies. If you want to match your offensive loadout, pairing The Empress with this piece gives you the ultimate setup.
USP-S | The Traitor
Representing the Hanged Man tarot card, this silenced pistol arrived with the Snakebite Case, completing the Covert trifecta of the Tarot collection. The artwork displays a figure hanging upside down, surrounded by a gorgeous blend of red, gold, and dark background elements. It easily claims the spot as 1 of the most visually striking pistols in all of CS2, providing immense detail that rivals the main rifles.
The price ranges make it highly accessible for players who want a premium look on their starting pistol without breaking the bank. Factory New copies are around $60, with Battle-Scarred going for roughly $10. A StatTrak Factory New peaks around $200, which is highly reasonable for a Covert grade item of this caliber.
With a float range of 0.00 to 1.00, it covers all wear conditions perfectly. As the float increases, the bright reds and golds simply turn darker, preserving the intricate illustration entirely. The silencer does take some scratching at the absolute maximum float, but it rarely detracts from the overall appeal. The pattern index does not apply here either, meaning every drop offers the exact same composition.
If you are a fan of this specific style, this pistol bridges the gap between your rifle rounds and your pistol rounds. The shared color palette means it sits beautifully next to The Empress in your inventory display, creating a cohesive aesthetic that very few collections can manage.
AWP | Mortis
The Death card in the deck inspired this Sniper Rifle, which was officially introduced to us in the Clutch Case. It features the Grim Reaper, a horse skeleton, and heavily stylized roman numerals spread across the body. It carries the exact same artistic DNA as the rest of the Tarot collection, utilizing a darker, more muted color scheme of browns, reds, and blacks to fit the grim theme.
If you are building a loadout on a strict budget, this is the piece to grab without hesitation. Factory New copies usually cost less than $20, and Battle-Scarred versions are practically handed out for $2. Even a StatTrak Factory New will only set you back about $50, making it incredibly accessible for fans of the Tarot collection. Its float ranges from 0.00 to 0.64, meaning it skips the absolute highest end of the Battle-Scarred spectrum. The wear heavily affects the brightness, with high-float versions looking extremely dark and murky. The pattern index remains static, ensuring the reaper is always front and center for your enemies to see before you pull the trigger.
MAG-7 | Justice
Representing the Justice card, this heavy-hitting shotgun arrived with the Prisma 2 Case, bringing a Classified grade option to the Tarot collection. The artwork displays a blindfolded figure holding the scales of justice, surrounded by a gorgeous blend of gold, white, and baby blue. It easily claims the spot as 1 of the most visually striking shotguns in all of CS2, providing immense detail for a fraction of the cost.
The price ranges make it highly accessible for players who want a premium look on a utility weapon. Factory New copies are around $40, with Battle-Scarred going for less than $2. A StatTrak Factory New peaks around $120, which is highly reasonable. With a float range of 0.00 to 1.00, it covers all wear conditions perfectly. As the float increases, the bright whites and blues simply turn darker, preserving the angelic illustration entirely. The pattern index does not apply here either, meaning every drop offers the exact same composition within the Tarot collection.
Market stability for the Tarot collection
If you decide to add any of the 5 weapons to your loadout, you are picking up a legitimate piece of CS2 history that has stood the test of time. Since 2017, the prices have remained incredibly stable across all major trading platforms. We rarely see massive dips or spikes with these items, making them a safe choice if you want to hold onto your funds while still playing with a premium aesthetic.
The combination of the custom artwork, the forgiving wear mechanics, and the sheer prestige of the Tarot collection keeps demand perpetually high. You will quickly realize that these weapons require no introduction when you drop them for a teammate during a buy round. You never have to worry about the artwork being ruined by a bad float, which is a massive relief for anyone shopping in the Field-Tested or Well-Worn categories for the Tarot collection.
When we discuss the Tarot collection, it is impossible to ignore the community impact it had on workshop creators. It pushed the boundaries of what highly detailed illustrations could look like on a weapon model. We always recommend inspecting the weapon in-game before committing to a purchase, just to make sure the brightness level matches your exact preference. Whether you stick strictly to the AK-47 or collect the entire 5-piece set, this artistic lineage stands as 1 of the greatest achievements in community-created cosmetics.
