Riot Games’ Valorant is still in its infancy compared with the likes of Overwatch and CS:GO, but there’s already a clear weapon meta forming. Here’s a gun tier list where we have ranked each of the 17 weapons in Valorant. Using this table to select guns in your next match will definitely grant you a competitive edge.
There are currently 17 guns to choose from in Valorant 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 in the game, ranking them on their overall damage and usability.
Contents
- Gun Tier List for Valorant
- S-tier Guns in Valorant
- A-tier Guns in Valorant
- B-tier Guns in Valorant
- C-tier Guns in Valorant
- D-tier Guns in Valorant
Gun Tier List for Valorant
We have ranked all the 17 currently available guns in Valorant 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 |
| 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).
- Read More: How to use the Vandal in Valorant
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.
- Read More: How to use the Phantom in Valorant
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.
- Read More: How to use the Operator in Valorant
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.
- Read More: How to use the Sheriff in Valorant
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.
- Read More: How to use the Spectre in Valorant
In order 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.
- Read More: How to use the Ghost in Valorant
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.
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.
- Read More: How to use the Guardian in Valorant
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.
- Read More: How to use the Marshal in Valorant
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 that 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 allows you to consistently pepper targets without any real downtime.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on Esports, Gaming and more.
- Read More: How to use the Judge in Valorant
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.
- Read More: How to use the Frenzy in Valorant
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 the 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?).
- Read More: How to use the Ares in Valorant
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.
- Read More: How to use the Bulldog in Valorant
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. Plus, it got a firing rate buff in the previous Episode, so there’s no better time to try it out.
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.
- Read More: How to use the Classic in Valorant
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 900 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.
- Read More: How to use the Bucky in Valorant
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.
- Read More: How to use the Stinger in Valorant
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 sidearms to use in Valorant. Due to its incredibly short-range, two-round magazine, the Shorty is best used as an ambush-style weapon.
- Read More: How to use the Shorty in Valorant
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.
- Read More: How to use the Odin in Valorant
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.
So there you have it. 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 as you venture through Future Earth.
Looking to become a Future Earth champion? Be sure to check out our list of guides:
What is the Night Market? | How to get Gun Buddies | What is Econ Rating? | How to get free loot drops | Is Valorant on Mac? | How many people play Valorant? | When is Valorant on Mobile coming out? | All Valorant skin bundles
