Riot Games’ Valorant goes head-to-head with the likes of Overwatch and CS2 with a clear weapon meta. Here’s a gun tier list where we have ranked each of the 18 weapons in Valorant. Using this table to select guns in your next match will definitely grant you a competitive edge in both PCs and consoles.
With the arrival of Outlaw, the gun count in Valorant is 18 now and each one brings something different to the table. From the lightning-fast rounds of the Spectre to the slow but deadly shots from the Operator, there’s a gun for every skill level and situation.
However, if you want to beat the competition and secure those all-important wins, you’ll want to spend your hard-earned Creds on the best guns. Of course, knowing which gun to choose can be a little tricky at times, especially when some are much better than others.
Fortunately, we’ve put together a handy tier list that covers all the current weapons available, ranking them on their overall damage and usability. If you’re jumping in on the console beta, you can also use this list to know what to buy.
Gun Tier List for Valorant
We have ranked all the 18 currently available guns in Valorant patch 8.11 according to the impact they can have in the current meta. Make sure to check out the list of which of these weapons can potentially win you an eco-round or which one of them might lead you to throw your lead.
| Tier | Guns |
|---|---|
| S | Vandal, Phantom, Operator |
| A | Sheriff, Spectre, Ghost, Outlaw |
| B | Guardian, Marshal, Judge, Frenzy |
| C | Ares, Bulldog, Classic, Bucky |
| D | Stinger, Shorty, Odin |
S-tier Guns in Valorant
Vandal
While the Vandal versus Phantom debate has raged on since Valorant’s closed beta, we believe the Vandal offers much greater kill potential thanks to its ability to delete opponents with just one shot to the head (with no drop-off distance).
The Vandal is extremely lethal in both close quarters and long-range engagements, making it one of – if not the most – versatile gun in the current meta. If you’re comfortable with tapping heads and can master this weapon’s spray pattern, this should be your go-to on all buy rounds. These factors make Vandal the top contender in our Valorant gun tier list.
Phantom
The Phantom may not deal as much damage as the Vandal, but its overall accuracy and high fire rate can snuff the life out of even the hardiest of foes. Equipped with a silencer and 30-round magazine, the Phantom is an absolute laser in short to medium-range firefights.
That being said, the battle between Phantom and Vandal often comes down to personal preference. They’re both great. The Phantom technically has a faster time-to-kill due to its fire rate, so if you need to spray down enemies in a pinch, you can easily do it with the silenced rifle.
Operator
You know the Operator just had to be in the S-tier of the Valorant gun tier list. The sniper delivers the most single-shot damage in the entire game, giving sharpshooters the chance to send their opposite number to the sidelines in just one bullet.
Every defensive set-up in Valorant revolves around a couple of Operators holding key angles, and the gun is almost impossible to push through without proper utility usage. It costs 4,700 Creds for a reason, and that’s why it’s in the tier that it deserves to be.
A-tier Guns in Valorant
Sheriff
The Sheriff doesn’t come cheap. The 800 Creds pistol takes up all your cash on pistol rounds. However, the price tag is certainly fit for the power it brings. The initial cost of entry may put off a lot of players who might want some utility, but all it takes is one tap to get a rifle in your hands.
The one-shot kill of the Sheriff at 0-30 meters makes it great in eco rounds to try and scupper together a Thrifty victory. If you can deal with the high recoil and have the aim to get those cheeky one-taps, you should look at picking up the Sheriff as your sidearm.
Spectre
The Spectre is the best of the SMGs, and one of the best all-round guns in Valorant. If the Vandal and Phantom are out of your price range, then buying up a Spectre can give you some extra firepower without breaking the bank.
To get the most out of this deadly SMG’s rapid rounds, try to always look for flanking opportunities where you can get behind your foes, or hold tight angles where the fire rate will decimate enemies. It’s an absolute bullet hose up close, but be sure to tap lightly when pinging enemies from afar.
Ghost
As the name suggests, the Ghost offers a more stealthy sidearm option for those looking to silently take down their foes. At face value, the Ghost may appear to be a lot weaker than the Sheriff, but its forgiving 15-round magazine and decent fire rate (6.75 rounds/sec) allow players to quickly fire off rounds when they need them the most.
This trusty pistol delivers high accuracy and consistent damage during early-game rounds, so be sure to add this spectral Sidearm to your arsenal if you’re looking to hold back your Creds for some utility.
Outlaw
Outlaw is the first weapon that’s been introduced in the game since launch. It’s a double-barrel sniper that sits right between the Marshal and Operator, securing a sweet spot and is quite a value for money at 2,400 Creds.
Unlike the other two snipers, it doesn’t break zoom when firing. Within a range of 50m, its headshot damage count is 238 while body and legshot damage counts are 140 and 119, respectively. Imagine how lethal it can be during eco rounds if it’s in the right hands.
B-tier Guns in Valorant
Guardian
This semi-automatic rifle packs a real punch, dealing a whopping 65 body shot damage and a skull-shattering 195 headshot damage. It used to miss out on a high placing because it’s just out of place in the meta, and was outshone by cheaper guns.
Recent changes have brought it up to B-tier however. If you have the aim the Guardian is good, but you may want to consider a Marshal instead. It does the same job of holding down angles, but the one thing you do get from the Guardian is a second chance at your shot.
Marshal
The Marshal is Valorant’s more nimble Sniper. Equipped with a 3.5x scope and five-round magazine, this gun should only be picked if you know that you can land headshots the vast majority of the time, as both body and leg hits won’t outright kill an armored Agent.
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The recent price decrease to 950 Creds has made it a viable buy when you force-up, or even on eco rounds. It’s also much faster now when scoped in after the patch. Much like the Sheriff, all it takes is one bullet to the head to get an upgrade to an even better gun.
Judge
This fully-automatic shotgun is a great option for those who simply wish to rush onto the objective and plant the Spike as quickly as possible. While its damage may be lower than that of the Bucky, its high rate of fire and great spread allow you to consistently pepper targets without any real downtime.
However, the Judge did take a big hit heading into Episode 3. The 250 Creds increase to 1,850 total makes it a much more expensive option, and while the extra damage at range helps, it ultimately makes the gun worse. It’s still an option if you want to rush into the fray, but keep an eye on your economy.
Frenzy
The Frenzy dominated the Valorant meta for about two weeks before Riot nerfed it. While they didn’t change much, increasing its cost from 400 to 500 nipped most of its power in the bud. It’s been buffed back to 450 Creds, but it’s still not the powerhouse it once was on pistol rounds.
The fire rate of 10 rounds a second means you can explosively burst someone down before they react, although it means you’ll have to watch your ammo management with only 13 rounds in a clip. Nevertheless, it’s an upgrade on the Classic at the very least.
C-tier Guns in Valorant
Ares
The Ares is Odin’s younger brother, and it definitely serves its place on the battlefield. Its big magazine and decent damage make it a decent buy for spamming through walls when you can’t afford an Odin (B on Ascent, anyone?).
However, the Ares is relatively inflexible. In every other situation, you may as well drop your 1,600 Creds into a Spectre to get a more mobile and better gun.
Bulldog
While the Bulldog may have the lowest damage profile in the Rifle category, it more than makes up for this with its overall ease of use. The Bulldog’s upwards kick can be a little tricky to control when used fully auto, so if you’re struggling to land shots, consider switching to the gun’s alternate burst mode.
This trusty underdog will only set you back a mere 2,050 Creds — so if you find yourself strapped for cash or just want to save the dollars for abilities, then you really can’t go wrong with Bulldog.
Classic
Valorant’s free sidearm used to be the best of the bunch — aside from the Sheriff. However, it’s been slowly nerfed back into its place. If used correctly, the Classic can be deadly, especially with its right-click. It does a lot of burst damage and can take down someone if you connect with the head.
Sure it doesn’t stand up to the raw power of the Sheriff or the Ghost now, but keep practicing with this little guy, and eventually, you’ll be popping heads in no time.
Bucky
The Bucky was, for some months, the best gun in Valorant. For 850 Creds, you got insane damage up close and afar, rivaling the Phantom and Vandal. However, various nerfs really took the wind out of its sails.
It’s now just a shell of its former self. With less damage on the right click burst, its primary benefit has been culled. It’s still a decent shotty, especially now at 850 Creds, but you won’t see everyone buying it on every eco now.
D-tier Guns in Valorant
Stinger
Much like the Frenzy, the Stinger was in vogue in Valorant for a few weeks early in 2021. The cheap SMG was lauded for its incredible firepower up close for only 1,000 Creds. You could rush a site, dump a mag in no time with its quick-fire rate, and overwhelm the enemy.
However, previous nerfs have really hit the Stinger hard. The price increase to 1,100 Creds, fire rate reduction to 16 rounds per second, and the recoil increase made it a bit harder to use. It’s back down to 950 Creds though, so we could see it return to the meta in Episode 4 or 5 as a brilliant force buy option.
Shorty
The Shorty is the most satisfying yet excruciatingly frustrating sidearm to use in Valorant. Due to its incredibly short-range, two-round magazine, the Shorty is best used as an ambush-style weapon.
This weapon is ideal if you’re looking to catch an enemy off-guard. Lurking in areas that promote close-quarters engagements will help you get the most out of this semi-automatic shotgun. However, it’s very inflexible, and if the enemy doesn’t come to you, you’re useless.
Odin
If you like the idea of mowing down and suppressing your enemies with a hail of bullets, then this beast will do just that. The Odin continues to wreak havoc on the battlefield, thanks to its high bullet penetration, decent damage, monstrous 100-round magazine, and blisteringly fast fire rate.
Being able to both clear out pesky campers and lockdown enemy positions is beneficial for any team, especially when you need to clutch out a close game. The Odin has become a Sova staple for this reason: Fire a Recon Bolt, and just spray.
However, you should use it with caution, as the Odin is the most clunky weapon available in Valorant. If agility is your thing, this might not be the one for you. Additionally, the massive price tag of the weapon makes it even more difficult for it to make an in-game appearance.
There’s the gun tier list for Valorant, filtered by each category. While there are pros and cons to each weapon, this list will better inform your choices in matches. Be sure to check our best controller settings to get the upper hand in the Valorant console beta.