CS:GO MP5-SD | Lab Rats Rare Patterns Guide

The Souvenir MP5-SD | Lab Rats released on December 6th, 2018 as a limited drop for users who earn a certain amount of required XP playing the new battle royale game mode known as Danger zone. The weapon skin comes in a number of different patterns, making them unique.

I made this guide because despite how common this skin has become already, no one has yet to explain the various rare patterns that are available. This guide will attempt to do just that and will also touch on some other important topics! This is not a price guide. Prices vary as much as the patterns, so it's best to do some research and see what similar Lab Rats are selling for on the market.

How to Unlock the Lab Rats for free:

(LIMITED TIME ONLY: ENDS JAN. 9TH 2019)

To unlock the MP5 | Lab Rats skin, all you need to do is load up a game of Danger Zone on an account with Prime status and get 250 XP. To reach Prime status, you need to reach level 21 in casual matches. If you don’t want to wait that long for Prime, you can buy the status for $14.99. Once you’re done with your first game of Danger Zone, the MP5 | Lab Rats skin is all yours. It should drop into your inventory once you get back to the lobby in the main menu.

Float Value/Wear

The MP5-SD | Lab Rats comes in three different conditions ranging from Field-Tested to Factory New. The float values range from the highest float being capped at 0.35 all the way to the lowest float having a cap at 0.00.

Sticker Placement

Unlike all the other souvenir skins the Lab Rats is one of the only souvenir skins in existence that has one singular set position for its sticker placement. This is very important because it makes it easier for collectors since they do not have to worry about the positioning of their stickers because there is only one sticker, and it is consistently in one single position on every Lab Rat. The Lab Rat's sticker is placed right above the trigger in the second sticker placement position closest to the back of the MP5.

iBuyPower Crafts

Want to make your "Red Rat" pattern Lab Rats look even better? Then apply iBuyPower and Mousesports stickers to it! The iBuyPower and Mousesports stickers perfectly match the red rat and are perfect for collectors and crafters! Some of the best nametags that I have seen used so far are "iRatsPower" and "Tom and Jerry".

How the Patterns Work

The MP5-SD Lab Rats is the first ever souvenir skin that has variant patterns. The Lab Rat patterns are made in a "cookie cutter" type fashion from a premade pattern template. For this reason, there are patterns of these Lab Rats that are the same. There is no one-of-a-kind MP5-SD Lab Rats pattern. The cookie cutter design allows for duplicates and quality (ex. field tested) does not play any part in the pattern of the gun.

The Pattern Template:

Please do note that the pattern template below does not reflect the actual colors on the skin. The template is only available at the moment in inverted color coordination. You will notice below that there are multiple numbers in the template that are highlighted in green, having those on your skin is much more desirable. Also, you will notice that there is a rat towards the middle of the pattern that is highlighted green which having that on your skin is known as the rare "Red Rat" pattern.

Template Positioning

The pattern doesn't only move up, down and sideways, it also tilts a little bit and its most noticeable with the numbers although it affects the whole pattern. I am saying this because in theory if there is a pattern with the head a bit higher and a bit more tilted forward, it could show the entire red rat on idle inspect.

Side-by-side comparison

Notice that the 12 above trigger doesn't only move, but it also tilts down in the 514 which is mainly why the 514 is better because the head is tilted up more making it a tiny bit more visible.

Red Rat Patterns

Rare "Red Rat" Pattern

Just because there is a red rat on the skin does not mean it is a Red Rat Pattern. Read the requirements below

For the skin to qualify as a "Red Rat" pattern, more than 85% of the rat must be visible when inspecting it (not in-game). Also, it either needs to be on the handguard, above the trigger, or the suppressor/silencer of the MP5-SD. Make sure the red rat is on the play-side.
The most desired and rarest area for the Red Rat pattern to appear is on the handguard. If you do get it on the handguard, it is preferred if it is placed in an area where the hands will not cover it (closer towards the back of the handguard without cutting off the body of the red rat). Since the Red Rat is a rare pattern, it can carry a significant price tag depending on where it is located on the MP5-SD.

Below I ranked the three "Red Rat" patterns and their pattern id for each from best to worst.

#1 "Red Rat" Pattern on handguard (visible on the right)

Pattern Numbers (Ranked from best to worst): 514 > 510 > 55 > 570 > 835 > 777

While although this pattern is somewhat common compared to the other red rat patterns, it has the good-overall visibility in-game and displays all of the rats as long as it is in the correct position. Pattern 514 is the #1 best overall "Red Rat" pattern in the game due to it having the best possible placement and also having some numbers on it.

#2 "Red Rat" Pattern above trigger

Pattern Numbers (Ranked from best to worst): 625 > 471 > 640 > 736

This pattern is still considered a Red Rat even though parts of the rat's body is cut off. This pattern while although has the best viewing while in-game, a small part of its body does get cut-off. Since it is above the trigger, it is the closest pattern towards the user holding it making it have the best possible visibility. Pattern 625 is the best "Red Rat" pattern for above the trigger due to its placement.

#3 "Red Rat" Pattern on silencer

Pattern Numbers (Ranked from best to worst): 
133 > 297 > 479 > 979 > 554 > 927 > 590 > 616 > 554 > 424 > 845 > 689 > 845 > 310

This pattern is not as desirable as the three above because it is the hardest to see while using the skin in-game due to it being positioned all the way at the front of the MP5 on the silencer. The only way to see it while holding it is by inspecting it. Even though this is the least desirable of the three, it still does hold a decent amount of value. Pattern 133 is the best "Red Rat" pattern for the silencer due to its placement.

#4 "Red Rat" Pattern on handguard (on the left, not visible in-game)

Pattern Numbers (Ranked from best to worst): 
104 > 66 > 255 > 558 > 706 > 298 > 119 > 899 > 379

Keep in mind that this red rat pattern has terrible placement and will get covered up by a hand while using it in-game. The only way to see it in-game while holding it is by inspecting it. It is the least desirable of "Red Rat" patterns and is worth only market due to how common they are and their terrible visibility.

Fake "Red Rat" Pattern

Any pattern that has a partial red rat on it but some of its body is cut off is considered a fake (This excludes red rats above the trigger). These patterns are worth nothing since they are relatively common and they are not a full rat. Be very careful when buying red rats due to how easily someone can shark someone else by telling them that their Lab Rats skin is a "Red Rat" when it is a fake.

Other Patterns

"Numbers" Pattern

The pattern of the picture featured above: 423
Possible numbers to get on your skin include: #5, #8, #9, #12, #13, and #14

While having numbers your Lab Rats is cool, rarely will it add any value to the skin. Also, it is possible to get a Red Rat pattern with numbers on the skin. In that case, if you do get it with a Red Rat pattern, it might slightly increase the value of the skin.

"Red Fade" Pattern

Pattern Numbers: 237, 462, 797, 859

The Red Fades are identified as having the handguard colored with light red. While although this is an awesome looking pattern color wise, it is relatively common and does not hold that much value.

"Red Silencer" Pattern

Pattern Numbers: 87, 95, 109, 132, 135, 145, 194, 409, 465, 827, 905, 910, 983, 984

The Red Silencer pattern can be identified as having turquoise on the handguard. While although this is an awesome looking pattern color wise, it is relatively common and does not hold that much value. Also, the red rat is behind the handguard on the red silencers, but it is not visible since it is not on the play-side. While although the red silencer pattern doesn't have a red handguard, it does have a blood red colored silencer.

Guide author: 𝔹𝕝𝕚𝕫𝕫𝕒𝕣𝕕