M249 | Nebula Crusader

Origin Story

The M249 Nebula Crusader, released on September 17, 2015, as part of The Shadow Collection with the Shadow Boxing update, features a custom paint job designed to resemble a classic arcade cabinet. Its in-game description notes this unique visual, while the flavor text, "You can use it, but you better put up a quarter first," reinforces the arcade theme. This skin's Gunsmith finish style contributes to its distinct appearance.

Drop Chance

M249 | Nebula Crusader is Restricted, a Purple-tier skin in the upper half of the rarity ladder. From the Shadow Case: approximately 4.00% per opening (roughly 1 in 25). The 15.98% Restricted tier rate is split across 4 Restricted skins in the case. StatTrak versions drop at ~0.40% from the Shadow Case (about 1 in 250). These per-skin odds assume equal weighting within tier — Valve publishes tier rates but doesn't formally confirm even distribution across skins in a tier.

Skin Condition

Float range 0 to 1. Exteriors: Factory New, Minimal Wear, Field-Tested, Well-Worn, Battle-Scarred. StatTrak is available in FN, MW, FT, WW, BS.

• Factory New ($12.95): The custom paint job, designed to resemble a classic arcade cabinet, is pristine and fully vibrant.
• Minimal Wear ($3.50): Minor scuffs begin to appear on the weapon's body, but the arcade cabinet design remains largely intact.
• Field-Tested ($1.70): Noticeable wear and scratches are present across the surface, giving the custom paint a more aged appearance.
• Well-Worn ($1.43): The custom paint shows significant wear, with larger areas of scuffing and discoloration, though the core design is still recognizable.
• Battle-Scarred ($1.43): The paint is heavily worn and scratched, giving the M249 a distinctly battle-hardened look, with the underlying material showing through in places.

Model

Nebula Crusader uses the legacy M249 model, introduced with Shadow Boxing on September 17, 2015. The inspect animation and third-person appearance match the original CS:GO version.

How to Obtain

The M249 Nebula Crusader is primarily found through opening a Shadow Case. Players can also acquire it through Trade Up Contracts by exchanging ten lower-rarity Restricted skins from The Shadow Collection. A StatTrak version is also available for kill tracking. Alternatively, this skin can be purchased directly from the Steam Community Market, third-party marketplaces, or various case-opening and skin-trading sites.

Price Range

M249 | Nebula Crusader ranges from $1.43 (Battle-Scarred) to $12.95 (Factory New). Field-Tested copies sit at $1.70. StatTrak versions carry a premium at every wear tier.


The current 7-day median is $1.76. The 90-day median is $1.95. The all-time median is $0.78. Volume averages 21 trades per day.

Visual Theme

Gunsmith: It has been custom painted to look like a classic arcade cabinet. The design features a retro arcade machine aesthetic. The M249's large magazine and side panels are prominent during gameplay, showcasing the custom paint.

Player Rating

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Sticker Compatibility

The Gunsmith finish style of the M249 | Nebula Crusader offers a versatile canvas for sticker application. Its design allows stickers to be prominently displayed without obscuring critical details.