CS2 Doppler phases, explained
Every Doppler is just called "Doppler" in Steam, but two of them can be worth wildly different money. The difference is the phase, and it is hidden in the skin's data.
Why phase matters more than float here
For most skins, float drives the price. For Dopplers, the phase usually matters more. A Doppler's finish is set by its paint index, and that decides whether you are holding an ordinary Phase 1 or a rare Ruby worth several times as much — even at the same float and the same item name.
The standard Doppler
The classic Doppler (blues, pinks, reds) comes in four numbered phases plus three rare specials:
| Finish | Look | Rarity |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Deep blue with black | Common |
| Phase 2 | Pink and blue | Common, often favoured |
| Phase 3 | Blue and green tones | Common |
| Phase 4 | Blue with pink edges | Common, often favoured |
| Ruby | Solid red | Rare special |
| Sapphire | Solid blue | Rare special |
| Black Pearl | Dark with a pearl swirl | Rare special |
Gamma Doppler
The Gamma Doppler is a separate finish that runs green. It also has Phase 1 to 4, and its rare special is the Emerald — the green counterpart to Ruby. Don't confuse the two: a Gamma Phase 2 and a standard Phase 2 are different markets.
How to identify your phase
Because Steam hides the phase behind the plain "Doppler" name, you read it from the paint index in the item's inspect data. An inspection tool or a tracker resolves it for you and maps it to the phase, so you know exactly what you have — and what it should be priced at, not the generic "Doppler" average.
PatinaAI reads the phase and pattern of every Doppler in your inventory and prices it at its real market, not the plain name — so a Ruby never gets valued like a Phase 1.
See your Dopplers priced by phase →