Check out this tier list for the top weapons in Valorant, applicable to both PC and Console. This will help you decide which weapon to buy at the beginning of every round.
Despite the diverse range of 18 weapons in Valorant, not all of them are suitable for every playstyle and therefore may not be worth using in the game.
Below is a ranking of the top weapons in Valorant, suitable for both console and PC players.
- PC weapon tier list
- S-tier guns in Valorant
- A-tier guns in Valorant
- B-tier weapons in Valorant
- C-tier weapons in Valorant
- D-tier weapons in Valorant
- Console weapon tier list
- Phantom vs Vandal: Which rifle is better in Valorant?
- Best Valorant guns for beginners
- Most used weapons by Valorant pros
Valorant PC Gun Tier List: Best Weapons Ranked
In the following list, you will find all the guns in Valorant ranked in tiers from S to D. Those in the S tier are considered the top-performing guns, while those in the D tier are considered the weakest.
| Tier | Weapon |
|---|---|
| S | Vandal, Phantom, Operator, Ghost |
| A | Outlaw, Specter, Sheriff |
| B | Guardian, Marshal, Odin |
| C | Bulldog, Ares, Judge, Classic, Stinger |
| D | Bucky, Frenzy, Shorty |
D-tier weapons in Valorant
Shotguns in Valorant have very limited utility.
The weapons listed below are considered the worst in Valorant:
- Bucky and Shorty are two cheap shotguns with high damage but very limited range. They only work in a handful of situations like camping corners in early rounds but in high-rank lobbies, getting away with this is rare.
- The Frenzy is a pistol in Valorant that allows you to spray down enemies but the unbearable recoil at higher ranges and the low damage make it the worst of the pistols.
Best C-Tier Guns in Valorant
Ares and Bulldog are two of the weakest guns in Valorant.
The weapons that have been ranked in the C-tier on our Valorant weapon tier list are as follows:
- Bulldog – It is not the most versatile gun in the pool with its unusual firing pattern (3-bullet burst) and the clunky firing might be an issue against hard-hitting weapons like the Guardian, Phantom, and Vandal.
- The Ares is a less powerful version of the Odin, featuring a smaller magazine. Its usefulness lies mainly in spamming through walls and during moments of blindness. However, for those with strong aim, it is advisable to save up for a superior weapon.
- Judge – The Judge is a shotgun with high damage and it costs 1850 Credits which doesn’t seem enticing considering the weapon’s limited scope. It is almost useless at mid to long-range but can certainly be used to surprise opponents by camping a corner.
- Classic – The Classic’s steady handling and burst-fire option through right-click are great, but in higher-skill lobbies, you’ll often find players using better pistols and the ones on a similar skill level should outgun you most of the time. Agents with brilliant utilities can purchase them and rely on the Classic in the first round.
- Stinger – The Stinger’s unstable burst-fire and low magazine size are deal-breakers, even though this is a very cheap SMG.
B-tier weapons in Valorant
Guardian
The Guardian should be used to tap headshots, and not spray.
- Price – 2250
- Wall penetration – High
- Fire rate – 5.25 rds/ sec
- Reload – 2.5 sec
- Magazine – 12
- Damage – 195 to Head and 65 to Body till 50 meters
When you don’t have enough Credits to purchase the Phantom or Vandal in a round, but still desire a high-damage weapon, the Guardian is a dependable choice. It boasts a semi-automatic firing mode and can deal significant headshot damage even from a distance of up to 50 meters, making it a valuable tool for players with accurate aim and proper crosshair placement.
The fire rate is highly efficient, as it allows for significant damage and the potential to achieve multiple kills with just one magazine. This should not pose a challenge for anyone with the necessary skill set.
Odin
The Odin is annoying to face, but it can be really helpful for dealing damage through walls.
- Price – 3200
- Wall penetration – High
- Fire rate – 12-15.6 rds/ sec
- Reload – 5 sec
- Magazine – 100
- Damage – 95 to Head and 38 to Body till 30 meters
The Odin’s standout feature among other Valorant weapons is its massive magazine. Boasting 100 bullets and a simple recoil pattern, it allows for endless wall spraying. However, in a fair 1v1 fight, the Vandal and Phantom have the advantage with their higher damage and can easily outgun the Odin. This makes the Odin a disliked choice among opponents.
Despite this, the Odin is still a formidable weapon. When utilized strategically and defensively, it can quickly take down enemies without them even realizing it. However, due to its limited effectiveness and easy accessibility, it has been ranked in the B tier.
Marshal
The Marshal is a quick sniper and can be used to one-shot opponents at long ranges.
- Price – 950
- Wall penetration – Medium
- Fire rate – 1.5 rds/ sec
- Reload – 2.5 sec
- Magazine – 5
- Damage – 202 to Head and 101 to Body till 50 meters
Despite its price, the Marshal in Valorant boasts impressive damage and fire rate. It is particularly effective in save rounds, allowing players to hold sites and take down opponents using pistols or a Specter in long-range combat. Complaining about its performance is not warranted.
The Marshal is highly valued for its accuracy, and players who are confident in their abilities often choose to purchase it in the second round after losing. Its effective range is comparable to the Guardian, allowing players to take down opponents with a single headshot. Even body shots with the Marshal can significantly impact an enemy’s health.
A-tier guns in Valorant
The Life of an Outlaw
Outlaw was added to Valorant with Episode 8 Act 1.
- Price – 2400
- Wall penetration – High
- Fire rate – 2.75 rds/sec
- Reload – 2.3 sec for 1 bullet and 3.8 sec for 2
- Magazine – 2
- Damage – 238 to Head and 140 to Body at any distance
The Outlaw has quickly risen to become one of the top guns in Valorant Episode 8 Act 1, with a price of only 2400 Credits. Unlike the Operator and the Marshal, it allows for two consecutive shots without breaking zoom. This makes it a valuable asset in the early rounds and against opponents with Light armor, as it has the potential to one-shot with a headshot or take them down with two body/leg shots.
Specter
The Specter is a quick-firing SMG in Valorant.
- Price – 1600
- Wall penetration – Low
- Fire rate – 13.3 rds/ sec
- Reload – 2.25 sec
- Magazine – 30
- Damage – 78 to Head and 26 to Body before 15 meters
The Specter’s impressive fire rate and large magazine size make it a top-performing weapon in Valorant. When you’re low on Credits and unable to purchase a Vandal or Phantom, the Specter offers a cost-effective and useful option. Its minimal recoil allows for effective movement and shooting at close range.
The Specter, with its large magazine, proves to be a useful weapon in situations where you may be blinded by utilities. It also has potential for surprise kills if you have good crosshair placement. However, like most SMGs, its damage decreases at longer ranges, so it is advisable to tap instead of spray in those situations.
Current Sheriff
The Sheriff has one of the highest damage outputs in the sidearm segment.
- Price – 800
- Wall penetration – High
- Fire rate – 4 rds/ sec
- Reload – 2.25 sec
- Magazine – 6
- Damage – 159 to Head and 55 to Body till 30 meters
Even though the Sheriff’s price in Valorant may seem steep for a pistol, its powerful damage and rapid firing rate make it worth the investment. It is capable of one-shotting enemies at medium range, and even with damage drop-off, a few well-placed body or head shots can eliminate an opponent.
The Sheriff is a high-risk high-reward weapon, making it a valuable choice for economy rounds. Its precise aim allows it to outshine even ARs.
S-tier weapons in Valorant
Vandalism
The Phantom is one of the best guns to start playing Valorant with.
- Price – 2900
- Wall penetration – Medium
- Fire rate – 9.75 rds/ sec
- Reload – 2.5 sec
- Magazine – 25
- Damage – 160 to Head at all ranges
The Vandal, a popular gun in Valorant, is known for its versatility and strength, providing players with accurate aim and consistent crosshair placement. Due to its lack of damage reduction over distance, the Vandal has the ability to swiftly eliminate enemies with a single shot (160 Head damage) from any range, similar to the Operator, but at a lower cost.
Getting used to the Vandal’s recoil pattern and handling may require some practice, but once you have it down, it becomes an obvious choice to purchase this gun in every round.
Phantom
The Vandal can one-shot opponents at any range.
- Price – 2900
- Wall penetration – Medium
- Fire rate – 11 rds/ sec
- Reload – 2.5 sec
- Magazine – 30
- Damage – 156 to Head to 15 meters
The Phantom is a highly ranked weapon in Valorant, trailing only the Vandal in terms of damage. With a superior fire rate, larger magazine, and increased stability, it is the perfect choice for taking down opponents in short and medium-range confrontations.
The Phantom is relatively easy to handle, making it a suitable choice for beginners who are still working on their aim and want to achieve early success. It is worth noting, however, that the Phantom’s damage decreases at distances of 15 and 30 meters, meaning that consistently one-shotting opponents with headshots may not be possible.
Operator
The Operator is the costliest weapon in Valorant.
- Price – 4700
- Wall penetration – High
- Fire rate – 0.6 rds/ sec
- Reload – 3.7 sec
- Magazine – 5
- Damage – 255 to Head and 150 to Body at any distance
The only weapon in Valorant that can guarantee a kill with a body shot is the Operator. It should come as no surprise that it is placed in the S tier, as it is an extremely lethal weapon in the hands of a skilled player, despite its high cost.
The Operator is most effective for protecting sites with lengthy entrances, forcing opponents to constantly use their abilities in order to advance. However, it is only advisable to use this weapon if you are confident in your sniping abilities, as losing it without gaining any kills can greatly impact your team’s economy.
Ghost
The Ghost’s easy handling makes it ideal for beginners.
- Price – 500
- Wall penetration – Medium
- Fire rate – 6.75 rds/ sec
- Reload – 1.5 sec
- Magazine – 15
- Damage – 105 to Head and 30 to Body till 30 metres
The Ghost is a top choice for the opening round in Valorant because of its rapid fire rate and swift reload. Its high damage allows for one-shot kills on unarmored opponents, a common occurrence in the initial round.
Despite the general consensus that the Sheriff is superior, this is not necessarily true. The Sheriff may have a more difficult learning curve and a slower fire rate compared to the Ghost, resulting in a higher time-to-kill for this silenced pistol in Valorant.
Valorant Weapon Tier List for Console Players
While Valorant’s Closed Beta is currently available on consoles, we have compiled a list of the top weapons that we recommend using with a controller. Please keep in mind that this tier list may shift once the game is released to a wider audience worldwide.
| Tier | Weapon |
|---|---|
| S | Vandal, Phantom, Operator, Ghost |
| A | Outlaw, Specter, Sherif, Odin |
| B | Guardian, Marshal, Ares |
| C | Bulldog, Judge, Classic, Stinger |
| D | Bucky, Frenzy, Shorty |
There is minimal variation between the top Valorant gun tier list for PC and Consoles, except for the fact that the Machine Guns have each been elevated by one tier.
Because spraying and praying is relatively easier on controllers compared to keyboard and mouse systems, Machine Guns will be highly coveted in the game.
Phantom vs Vandal: Which AR Reigns Supreme in Valorant?
The Phantom is slightly superior to the Vandal in certain aspects, particularly for novice players who are new to Valorant. The former is more forgiving, even if you happen to miss a shot, as its recoil is easier to manage compared to the Vandal.
Although the Phantom is a strong weapon, it does suffer from damage fall off at longer ranges due to its silencer. This means that you must have precise crosshair placement to be effective with it. On the other hand, the Vandal also requires precise crosshair placement but has no damage fall off at long ranges.
Skins don’t have an impact on a weapon’s gameplay.
Best Valorant weapons for new players
The Phantom, Ghost, Outlaw, and Specter are four of the most beginner-friendly guns in Valorant as they are highly manageable and allow for spraying rather than relying heavily on first-shot precision.
The Outlaw is an ideal choice for those looking to start sniping in Valorant. Its two-shot capability provides a forgiving margin for error and its damage output is sufficient to eliminate enemies in a single shot in most situations.
Most used weapons by Valorant pros
Valorant professionals typically opt for the Vandal as it offers the best value and is a highly effective weapon for their level of skill. These are individuals who seldom miss a headshot and cannot risk losing a trade due to damage reduction with alternative weapons.
Despite this, the Phantom remains the second most commonly used weapon in professional lobbies, with the Operator coming in at a close third. Typically, the lethal sniper is given to a skilled player on the team who specializes in sniping and is able to effectively defend or attack areas with long entry points.
For those eager to play Valorant on Xbox or PlayStation, don’t forget to review the crossplay information and recommended controller settings.
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