If you are filling out a Gamma-themed SMG shelf or just want a MAC-10 that reads clearly in inspect, Carnivore (internal finish aq_mac_10_alien_camo) is one of those skins that does not need hype to justify a slot. It landed 15 June 2016 with the Gamma Case and Gamma Collection—same wave as the Gamma knives and the rest of that opening-era lineup. Community lists often call it Carnivore; in Chinese clients you will see 捕猎者. Rare tier, not ultra-scarce, but far from forgettable in a loadout screenshot.

What you are actually buying

Designer GENT contributed this finish through the Workshop pipeline. The official read is straightforward: red and purple over a metal primer, with a patina style finish and full 0.00–1.00 float support. That matters for shopping: this is not a sticker showcase skin—the whole sell is how color sits on metal and how oxidation reads as float climbs.

Drop path: Gamma Case opens, or buy/sell on C5GAME / Steam Community Market filtered by Gamma Collection + MAC-10.

Inspect and wear: where the money goes

Spin it in inspect before you commit. Patina skins live or die on saturation and edge definition:

• Lower wear: cooler metal base vs warmer red-purple blocks—contrast pops when you rotate the model.
• Higher wear: larger polished areas, colors can pull back or muddy; still valid if you like battle-scarred aesthetics, but do not expect low-float drama.

Do not hunt for extra decals or cartoon layers; the design is exactly that metal-forward red-purple layout. Pairing tip: works as a mid-tier MAC-10 when you are theming Gamma, or matching red-purple gloves/knives—just keep float tier consistent across pieces you compare.

Price check habit

On C5GAME or Steam, filter the same collection tag, then compare same wear band side by side. Rare Gamma SMGs trade often enough that opening a case purely for this one finish is usually worse EV unless you want the full Gamma unbox experience.

Shop verdict

Buy outright if you want a defined Gamma MAC-10 look without case roulette. Open Gamma Cases only if the box itself is the goal. Prioritize a float you can see in inspect; for patina, mid-high float can look intentional, low float if you want crisp color blocks.

Expert chatter

Carnivore is the kind of skin people skip in thumbnails then respect in-game—GENT’s metal primer does the heavy lifting. When someone asks “is this just another purple MAC-10,” the answer is no: patina wear behavior is the entire personality. Tag 2016-06-15 and Gamma Collection in your notes so you never confuse it with other red-violet SMG finishes in the same family.