VALORANT is an Agent-based shooter, much like Overwatch. While abilities are essential to the game’s identity, weapons are at its core. So, understanding all the weapons you can buy and when to buy them can significantly affect your gameplay.
There are 18 guns available, each with its own strengths and stats. They fall into six categories: sidearms, SMGs, shotguns, rifles, snipers, and heavies.
All Weapons in VALORANT
Sidearms
Despite their small size, sidearms can deal a fair amount of damage, even if they are generally purchased when your team is low on money or if you need to save it. The best sidearms in VALORANT are Ghost and Sheriff, as they can each deal over 100 head damage and over 30 to the body.
| Gun | Cost | Stats (penetration) | Head | Body | Legs and arms | Dropoff distance | Fire rate | Run speed | Reload speed | Magazine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic | Free | 6.75/2.22 (low) | 78/66 | 26/22 | 22/18 | 30m | 6.75 | 5.73 | 1.75 | 12 |
| Shorty | 150 | 3.3 (low) | 24/16/7 | 12/8/3 | 10/6/2 | 9-15m | 3.33 | 5.4 | 1.75 | 2 |
| Frenzy | 450 | 10 (low) | 78/63 | 26/21 | 22/17 | 20m | 10 | 5.73 | 1.5 | 13 |
| Ghost | 500 | 6.75 (medium) | 105/87 | 30/25 | 25/21 | 30m | 6.75 | 5.73 | 1.5 | 15 |
| Sheriff | 800 | 4 (high) | 159/145 | 55/50 | 46/42 | 30m | 4 | 5.4 | 2.25 | 6 |
SMGs
Submachine guns (SMGs) are a much cheaper alternative to rifles, and you’ll typically buy them on a force buy or after a pistol round. The best SMG is the Spectre, but the cost can be brutal.
| Gun | Cost | Stats (penetration) | Head | Body | Legs and arms | Dropoff distance | Fire rate | Run speed | Reload speed | Magazine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stinger | 950 | 18/4 (low) | 67/62 | 27/25 | 22/21 | 20m | 16 | 5.73 | 2.25 | 20 |
| Spectre | 1,600 | 13.33 (medium) | 78/66 | 26/22 | 22/18 | 20m | 13.13 | 5.73 | 2.25 | 30 |
Shotguns
When things are looking dire, and you need a close-range, high-damage-dealing weapon, shotguns are the way to go, and they are usually what players buy in a force-buy scenario. However, the downside to shotguns is that their long-range damage is almost nonexistent. So, if you prefer sniping or dealing damage from afar, shotguns will not be your friends. Of all the shotguns in VALORANT, the Judge can be a powerful shotgun in the right hands.
| Gun | Cost | Stats (penetration) | Head | Body | Legs and arms | Dropoff distance | Fire rate | Run speed | Reload speed | Magazine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bucky | 850 | 1.1 (low) | 40/26/18 | 20/13/9 | 17/11/7 | 8-12m | 1.1 | 5.06 | 2.5 | 5 |
| Judge | 1,850 | 3.5 (medium) | 34/20/14 | 17/10/10 | 14/8/5 | 10-15m | 3.5 | 5.06 | 2.2 | 7 |
Rifles
If there’s one gun type players agree is the best in the game, that would be rifles. This is because the best guns (Bulldog, Guardian, Phantom, and Vandal) only need one or two shots for them to take out an enemy Ageny. But if you’re after the best rifles, consider the Phantom and Vandal. These two offer high and fast damage consistency, and they’re semi-automatic, making combat much more destructive and enjoyable.
| Gun | Cost | Stats (penetration) | Head | Body | Legs and arms | Dropoff distance | Fire rate | Run speed | Reload speed | Magazine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulldog | 2,050 | 9.15/4 (medium) | 115 | 35 | 29 | N/A | 9.14 | 5.4 | 2.5 | 24 |
| Guardian | 2,250 | 4.75 (heavy) | 195 | 65 | 48 | N/A | 5.25 | 5.4 | 2.5 | 12 |
| Phantom | 2,900 | 11/9.9 (medium) | 156/140/124 | 39/35/31 | 33/29/26 | 15-30m | 11 | 5.4 | 2.5 | 30 |
| Vandal | 2,900 | 9.25/8.32 (medium) | 160 | 40 | 34 | N/A | 9.75 | 5.4 | 2.5 | 25 |
Snipers
Snipers deal the most damage in VALORANT because one shot can literally one-shot an enemy Agent. While this can be highly desirable, the downside is that they’re pretty costly. But if you want to use the best sniper, get The Operator.
| Gun | Cost | Stats (penetration) | Head | Body | Legs and arms | Dropoff distance | Fire rate | Run speed | Reload speed | Magazine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshal | 950 | 1.5/1.2 (medium) | 202 | 101 | 85 | N/A | 1.5 | 5.4 | 2.5 | 5 |
| Outlaw | 2,400 | (high) | 238 | 140 | 110 | N/A | 2.75 | 4.32 | 3.8 | 2/10 |
| Operator | 4,700 | 0.75/0.75 (high) | 255 | 150 | 120 | N/A | 0.6 | 5.13 | 3.7 | 5 |
Heavy
Heavy guns, often referred to as heavies, are essentially bullet hoses. They aren’t too accurate, so if you’re not good at aiming, you can blame it on this weapon. They also take some time to ramp up. But the perk of heavies is that they have the potential to kill multiple enemies.
| Gun | Cost | Stats (penetration) | Head | Body | Legs and arms | Dropoff distance | Fire rate | Run speed | Reload speed | Magazine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ares | 1,600 | 10/13 (high) | 72/67 | 30/28 | 25/23 | 30m | 10-13 | 5.13 | 3.25 | 50 |
| Odin | 3,200 | 12/15.6 (high) | 95/77 | 38/31 | 32/26 | 30m | 12-15.6 | 5.13 | 5 | 100 |
