# How to Price a Case Hardened Tier and Float Together

`GET /v1/market/buff/latest` can expose Case Hardened pattern tiers with their own float buckets. Resolve the pattern tier first, then select the bucket containing the item's float.

Do not estimate a combined value by adding a tier premium to a separate float premium. Use the observed tier-and-float quote when it exists.

## Resolve the correct hierarchy

Match the exact `market_hash_name`, then follow this order:

1. Select the BUFF item row.
2. Select the Case Hardened tier variant.
3. Find the float bucket whose lower bound is inclusive and upper bound is exclusive.
4. Read the bucket `ask` and source timestamp.

At an exact boundary, the value belongs to the bucket that starts at that boundary, not the one that ends there.

## Keep three baselines

Compare the same price side at three levels:

| Level | What it represents |
| --- | --- |
| Item base | Broad market for the exterior across patterns |
| Tier base | Broad market for that pattern tier |
| Tier float bucket | Observed market for the tier and float band together |

The tier float premium over the tier base isolates the float-band difference more cleanly. Its premium over the item base captures both tier and float segmentation.

Use `ask` for all three comparisons. Mixing a bucket `ask` with a base `bid` creates a spread comparison, not a premium.

## Check the quote quality

Retain `ask`, `avg_ask`, `bid`, visible `ask_volume`, visible `bid_volume`, `bucket_id`, bounds, and timestamp when returned.

A large gap between floor `ask` and `avg_ask` can indicate one unusually cheap listing. Low `ask_volume` makes any apparent premium less robust. The current BUFF snapshot generally refreshes about every 10 minutes and is available on all plans.

## Leave unsupported cases unresolved

If the tier exists but no float bucket contains the value, report no combined quote. Do not copy the nearest bucket or add independent premiums.

The tier is still an aggregate pattern class. It does not value one exact seed, blue placement, sticker setup, or screenshot quality. The [Case Hardened price data guide](/resources/how-to-get-case-hardened-price-data) explains the supported tier model, while [BUFF float history](/resources/how-to-get-buff-float-range-price-history) covers changes in these buckets over time.