Valorant, developed by Riot Games, has quickly risen to prominence in competitive esports. The first-person shooter game sets itself apart with its unique blend of sharp shooting mechanics and strategy-based gameplay. One of the core aspects of gameplay in Valorant is the wide array of weapons available to players. In this article, we will delve into a comprehensive review of all weapons in Valorant, analyzing their damage output, rate of fire, cost, and where each stands in the game's meta.
Pistols
In Valorant, an interesting assortment of pistols is made available to players, each possessing unique characteristics that differentiate them from their peers. These pistols serve as a primary means of defense in the early stages of the game, particularly in the initial round, due to their low cost and respectable firepower.
This affordability of pistols makes them the go-to defensive option when a player is low on funds. In a strategic game like Valorant, where resource management plays a critical role, these pistols allow players to remain competitive even when their economic situation is less than ideal. But even beyond their affordability, their efficiency in delivering enough damage to neutralize opponents makes them formidable weapons in the right hands.
The assortment of pistols in Valorant includes the Classic, Shorty, Frenzy, Ghost, and Sheriff, each with distinctive specifications that add to their unique in-game identity. These characteristics include varying costs, damage outputs, and effective ranges influencing a player's combat approach.
With the Classic as a reasonably balanced and affordable weapon and the Shorty offering close-quarter combat superiority, players have various choices to cater to their preferred combat style. On the other hand, the Frenzy, Ghost, and Sheriff cater more to players who may prefer a more ranged combat approach, with each demonstrating unique traits that balance cost, firepower, and combat range. This variety ensures a player can choose a pistol that best suits their strategy and gameplay style.
Classic
The Classic is known as the default sidearm in Valorant, automatically allocated to every player at the onset of a round. Its unique position as a base weapon might lead some to underestimate its capacities, but the Classic holds its ground as a competent firearm within the game.
Despite being a free weapon, the Classic offers a decent damage output. This damage-dealing ability demonstrates that it is only a placeholder once a player can afford a more expensive weapon. When used skillfully, it can stand toe-to-toe with some of the higher-cost weapons in the game. Its capacity to contend with more powerful arms is contingent on the player's ability to handle it effectively, highlighting how the right strategy can maximize a basic weapon's potential.
Shorty
The Shorty is Valorant's distinctive addition, closely resembling a real-world sawed-off shotgun. Noteworthy for its inexpensive price tag, this weapon, despite its reduced cost, boasts an exceptionally high damage potential, especially in close-quarter combat situations.
This weapon's lethality skyrockets when engagements are limited to short-range confrontations. The close proximity allows the Shorty to unload its full potential, transforming it into a deadly tool for strategic players. However, despite its effectiveness in confined spaces, the Shorty has its setbacks in more expansive areas of the game.
Notably, the Shorty has a low range, which means it is less effective in wide-open areas where engagements usually occur at a distance. Furthermore, its ammo limit curbs the player's offensive opportunities. These limitations compel players to strategize and position themselves effectively when wielding the Shorty, ensuring they optimize its strengths while minimizing its weaknesses.
Submachine Guns
Submachine guns, often abbreviated to SMGs, form an integral part of Valorant's diverse firearms selection. Notably, these automatic weapons excel particularly in close-range engagements. When close to the opponent, SMGs' high fire rate and automatic functioning give the player an advantageous edge.
In Valorant, the SMG category has two main selections: the Spectre and the Stinger. While both of these weapons offer the player high rates of fire, they differ significantly in various areas. These differences lie predominantly in the damage outputs they produce and the effective ranges at which they are most competent.
Spectre
The Spectre occupies the more expensive side of the two SMGs Valorant offers. Despite its higher cost, this weapon provides a useful balance between its price and performance, making it worth every credit spent. Because of its balanced nature, the Spectre has become a popular choice for eco rounds.
Besides its cost-performance balance, the Spectre also offers more to the player regarding mobility and firepower. Moving quickly while maintaining a significant damage output allows players to adapt to dynamic combat situations and tactical movements.
Stinger
Unlike the Spectre, the Stinger comes at a cheaper price point within Valorant's SMG selection. Despite being the more economical option, the Stinger needs to deliver a high rate of fire. This high rate of fire makes it an ideal weapon for swift, close-quarter engagements where rapid fire is often the determining factor in who emerges victorious.
However, while the Stinger is indeed capable of dishing out fast bullets, its high recoil can become a challenge to manage during continued firing. Therefore, mastering this weapon would require skill that allows for effective recoil control, ensuring that even the speediest rounds find their target.
Rifles
Rifles are powerful weapons meant for long-range engagements. The game features four rifles: the Bulldog, Guardian, Phantom, and Vandal. These rifles vary in cost, effective range, rate of fire, and more.
Phantom
The Phantom is a fully automatic rifle with a high rate of fire and a silencer that reduces noise and bullet traces. It's a versatile rifle suitable for many situations, from holding angles to aggressive pushes.
Vandal
The Vandal is a fully automatic rifle similar to Phantom but delivers higher damage. However, unlike the Phantom, the Vandal does not have a silencer, making it a little louder and more traceable.
Conclusion
The weapons in Valorant have been designed to cater to different combat situations and play styles. Each weapon has unique strengths and weaknesses, from pistols for short-range conflict, rifles for long-range engagements, and SMGs for quick, close-quarter face-offs. The trick to mastering Valorant lies in understanding these weapons and how and when to use them effectively.