Valorant finally entered its closed-beta stage on April 7. Prior to this, Riot invited several professional players from the esports community to test the game out on March 27th. The game is currently scheduled to come out in Summer 2020. However, we currently don’t have an exact release date for it. Nonetheless, even in the beta stage, Riot has revealed a lot of details about the weapon system in the game. Today, we are going to talk about some of the best Valorant weapons.
Weapons in Valorant
Riot has introduced the concept of agents in Valorant. These agents have special abilities that can be used during the match. However, the game’s main way of taking down enemies is using weapons. Valorant has a buy system that is similar to CS:GO. Players can buy a set of guns through the in-game money. Every weapon in the game is different and has its own set of characteristics such as damage, recoil pattern, and magazine size.
Weapon Categories and Tiers
To begin with, Valorant offers six different categories of weapons. We have the Rifles that are perfect for both long and mid-range gunfights, Shotguns that can quickly annihilate enemies that that are really close to you, SMGs that can help you take down an enemy quickly, Heavy weapons that can prove to be deadly during defensive situations, Snipers that can drop your enemy dead from far away, and Sidearms that can become your second best friend. These categories are further divided into different tiers:
- S Tier Weapons (Spectre, Phantom, Vandal, and Operator): Considered as the best weapons.
- A Tier Weapons (Sheriff, Marshal, and Ares): Strong but not as good as S Tier weapons.
- B Tier Weapons (Stinger, Guardian, and Odin): Can prove to be deadly if used by skilled players.
- C Tier Weapons (Ghost, Bucky, Judge, and Bulldog): They are not too good or too bad.
- D Tier Weapons (Shorty): They are below average.
- E Tier Weapons (Classic and Frenzy): These should be used only when other weapons are not available.
- F Tier Weapons (Tactical Knife): The lowest ranking weapon.
Rifles
First, we’re going to talk about some of the best rifles available in Valorant. Rifles have always remained some of the most popular weapons in almost every shooter title. These weapons can help you get a kill from either mid or long-range.
Bulldog
Bulldog is the least expensive rifle in Valorant. It can fire around 9.5 rounds per second and has a price tag of 2100 credits. The Bulldog has a magazine size of 24 bullets and is a standard tactical shooter assault rifle. It works best in mid-range combat and can even take down your opponent with a single headshot. This weapon is considered as good for the start of the match as players usually don’t have a lot of credits in the beginning. The weapon also has an alternate fire mode which features a scope as well as a three-round burst. Bulldog offers the following damage:
- 35 damage to the body.
- 30 damage to the leg.
- 116 damage to the head.
This gun is equal to the CSGO’s: Famas/Galil
Vandal
Vandal is yet another amazing rifle. It offers high damage per bullet and has a magazine size of 25 bullets. The best thing about this weapon is that its damage doesn’t fall off much at range. It also has an alternate fire that features a scope. The Vandal fires around 9.25 rounds per second, while it’s alternate mode first 8.32 rounds per second. It can be bought for 2900 credits and is a good weapon even for the later stages of a match. Vandal offers the following damage:
- 39 damage to the body.
- 33 damage to the leg.
- 156 damage to the head.
This gun is equal to the CSGO’s: Ak47
Guardian
Guardian is considered as the top weapons In Valorant. This is mainly because it is a semi-automatic rifle and fires only one bullet with every click. Its fire rate of 6.5 rounds per second might seem slow, but the damage it deals with every bullet is more than that of other rifles. The Guardian has a price tag of 2700 credits, but you should only get if you’re confident about your accuracy. You will have to make every bullet count as it only stores 12 bullets in its magazine. The Guardian offers the following damage:
- 65 damage to the boy.
- 49 damage to the leg.
- 195 damage to the head.
This gun is equal to the CSGO’s: M4A4
Phantom
Phantom costs the same as Vandal, but has a greater fire rate. In addition to this, its recoil is also much better than Vandal. It is capable of firing 11 rounds per second and has a magazine size of 30 bullets. But the thing which some players don’t like about it is its short range. In addition to this, its damage also falls off at longer distances. You can purchase it for 2900 credits. But if you want something with more firepower, then you should definitely pick up Vandal instead of it. Phantom offers the best damage within 15 meters.
- 39 damage to the body.
- 33 damage to the leg.
- 156 damage to the head.
This gun is equal to the CSGO’s: M4A1-S
Shotguns
Shotguns are something that can help you go on a killing spree. But they are only efficient in close-range combat.
Bucky
Bucky shotgun is really cheap as it can be bought for only 900 credits. It is a semi-automatic shotgun that has a magazine size of 5 shots. However, the thing which we don’t like about this weapon is that it only fires 1.1 rounds per second. But then again, every shot fired from Bucky is devastating at close-range. The damage Bucky deals against depends upon the range. Every shot fires 15 pellets and at 8 meter, each pellet deals:
- 22 damage to the body.
- 19 damage to the leg.
- 44 damage to the head.
The Judge
The Judge is another powerful shotgun available in Valorant. However, it comes with a price tag of 1500 credits. This one fires 3.5 rounds per second and has a magazine size of seven shots. However, while it might have better characteristics than Bucky, the Judge comes with more recoil. This is why you should only get it if you can handle its recoil. Its damage also depends upon range, and the highest you’ll get it is within 10 meters.
- 17 damage to the body.
- 14 damage to the leg.
- 34 damage to the head.
SMGs
If you’re looking for an alternative to the rifles, then the SMGs are the way to go.
Stinger
The first SMG we’ll mention is the Stinger. It comes at a cost of 1000 credits and can fire 18 rounds per second. However, the weapon deals low damage and isn’t that accurate. Another downside about it is that it’s magazine only stores 20 bullets. But if you manage to accurately spray it on your enemy, then any of this won’t matter. It also has an alternative mode that fires 4-rounds burst. Stinger’s damage depends on range. The highest you’ll get is within 20 meters:
- 27 damage to the body.
- 23 damage to the leg.
- 67 damage to the head.
Spectre
Spectre is another SMG that is better than Stinger in every way. This weapon has a price tag of 1600 credits and deals a good amount of damage. Its accuracy is also great at short range. The best thing about this weapon is that it features a magazine size of 30 rounds. However, it only fires 13.3 rounds per second. Just like the Stinger, its damage also depends on the range. The highest you’ll get is within 20 meters. Based on the overall characteristics, Spectre can be regarded as one of top weapons In Valorant when it comes to SMG class.
- 26 damage to the body.
- 22 damage to the leg.
- 78 damage to the head.
Heavy
Although Heavy weapons are only suitable for specific situations, they can still prove to be really effective. They are perfect for defensive purposes.
Ares
Ares machine gun has a price tag of 1700 credits. It features a clip size of 50 bullets and fires 13 rounds per second. The best thing about this weapon is that it offers high-wall penetration, something which is not seen with some other weapons. It is also a good replacement for rifles, but only if you are short on credits. The Ares offers the following damage:
- 30 damage to the body.
- 25 damage to the leg.
- 72 damage to the head.
Odin
Odin is considered as one of the most aggressive weapons in Valorant. It has a magazine size of 100 bullets and can be yours for 3200 credits. The Odin is capable of firing 12 rounds per second, something which makes it an ideal weapon for holding down a point. Just like Ares, this weapon also offers high-wall penetration. The Odin offers the following damage:
- 38 damage to the body.
- 32 damage to the leg.
- 95 damage to the head.
Snipers
Snipers are going to be your best-friend in long-ranged combat. They can help you take down your opponent in only one headshot.
Marshal
The first sniper on our list is the Marshal. This weapon is really cheap as it comes with a price tag of only 1100 credits. The Marshall will take down your enemy in only one headshot. It won’t matter if they have a good armor as its bullet will pierce through it. The only downside about this weapon is that if you face an enemy straight and land a shot on their body, they’ll take you down before you can get the second bullet in place. Despite this, it’s still a really good weapon. The Marshall offers the following damage:
- 101 damage to the body.
- 85 damage to the leg.
- 202 damage to the head.
Operator
Operator is the most expensive weapon in Valorant. It has a price tag of 4500 credits and offers a magazine size of 5 bullets. This weapon is similar to the AWP from CS:GO. While the weapon has a high cost, it is absolutely deadly. Except for the leg, it will take your enemy down no matter where you shoot. There’s no weapon better than the Operator when it comes to instantly taking down opponents in long-range combat. That’s why Operator prevails as one of the top weapons In Valorant. The Operator offers the following damage:
- 150 damage to the body.
- 127 damage to the leg.
- 255 damage to the head.
Sidearms
Finally, we have the Sidearms. These weapons can help you get the job done if your primary weapon is out of bullets. Every player is given the Classic pistol for free at the start of each match. You can either use this one or purchase some other sidearm if you have some extra credits.
Shorty
Shorty is the cheapest sidearm available in Valorant. You can get it for only 200 credits. The best thing about this weapon is that if you’re close enough, it can take down your enemy with one shot. However, if you’re a little far, then reloading the primary weapon will be a much better option. Every shot has 12 pellets, and each one offers the following damage:
- 12 damage to the body.
- 10 damage to the leg.
- 36 damage to the head.
Frenzy
Frenzy comes with a price tag of 400 credits. While it offers low damage per bullet, it is the only pistol capable of spraying two or three enemies at once. It has a clip size of 13 bullets and has a fire rate of 10 rounds per second. Frenzy offers the following damage:
- 26 damage to the body.
- 22 damage to the leg.
- 78 damage to the head.
Ghost
The only pistol with a silencer available in the game is Ghost. You can buy Ghost for 500 credits which offer 6.75 rounds per second. The weapon has a magazine size of 15 bullets, which is enough for a sidearm. It is similar to the Classic pistol in some ways but deals more damage than it. In addition to this, it also has a higher magazine capacity and higher wall-penetration level than the Classic. The Ghost offers the following damage:
- 30 damage to the body.
- 26 damage to the leg.
- 105 damage to the head.
Sheriff
If you’re looking for a sidearm that can take your opponent down in one headshot, then you should definitely get the Sheriff. It has a price of 800 credits and has a magazine size of 6 bullets. The only downside about this weapon is that it fires only four rounds per second, which is relatively low. However, it’s a risk that can take your opponent down quickly. The Sheriff offers the following damage:
- 55 damage to the body.
- 47 damage to the leg.
- 160 damage to the head.
How To Improve Your Aim & Spray in Valorant
No matter how good the weapon is, you won’t be able to get the most out of it until and unless you improve your aim. The first thing you should do is set your mouse’s sensitivity at a level that is perfect for you. Some prefer the sensitivity to be high, while others keep it low. Therefore, try out different settings and choose the right one. Another way to improve the aim is by doing target practice. You can get into a friendly match with your friends and practice there.
These were some of the best Valorant weapons. The developers will most likely add more of them in the future, and we’ll make sure to update this list once that happens.
