In Valorant there are a lot of weapons that you can buy at the start of each round. But which weapon is worth your money and what should you leave behind? Our large MeinMMO weapons tier list provides the answer.
What is a tier list? Tier lists are not just lists of cute animals. Rather, in gaming, it refers to the ranking of items or heroes based on their usefulness. This is measured in ranks, (in English “Tier”). The typical tier lists are coded by letters:
- S-Tier: Absolutely superior, may be nerfed
- A-Tier: Simply good
- B-Tier: Good, but not too good
- C-Tier: OK and still average
Some lists go even deeper to distinguish bad items from even worse ones. With the weapons in Valorant, we settle for the still acceptable C-Tier as the bottom tier of the weapons.
How did you get on this list? We at the MeinMMO Valorant team used the following sources to develop a balanced tier list for Valorant.
- Rankedboost
- ProGuidesValorant (YouTube)
- GameLeapValorant (YouTube)
- Enigma AMC (YouTube)
- Sportskeeda
The final result came from the average of the sources, our own assessment, and the valuable feedback from the successful YouTuber and Valorant expert aSmoogl. He worked closely with us in the MeinMMO team, and we discussed the final form of the list with him.
This article was revised and updated on August 28.
This is the MeinMMO tier list for weapons in Valorant
This is our classification of the weapons based on the aforementioned criteria.
| Tier | Weapons |
| S-Tier | Operator Vandal Phantom |
| A-Tier | Ghost Sheriff Spectre Marshal Bulldog |
| B-Tier | Shorty Stinger Bucky Judge Guardian Ares Odin Classic |
| C-Tier | Frenzy |
What stands out? As you can see, almost all weapons are in the S to B tiers, which shows that Riot does a good job of balancing and that hardly any weapon is truly bad. Therefore, we also omitted the D tier, where really bad weapons would be found.
Even with a Vandal, a very expensive S-Tier rifle, you can easily be taken down by a good player with a simple, free Classic. Nevertheless, some weapons are simply superior by nature, and in the following paragraphs, we will explain why we believe each weapon belongs to its tier.
All S-Tier Weapons – The best guns in the game!
These weapons are currently the best guns you can get in Valorant. If you have the opportunity to buy them, then get them!
Operator – The one-shot kill monster
What is the Operator? Here you get a heavy sniper rifle that currently dominates the meta of Valorant. The weapon kills an opponent with just one hit – unless you hit the leg. Currently, heroes with many smoke effects (smokes) are popular to counter the Operator. Additionally, a bold rush with multiple players can overwhelm the shooter, as the fire rate of the weapon is low.
Also, the “OP” at 4,500 credits is by far the most expensive weapon in the game; you have to earn it first. Despite several calls to nerf the Operator, Riot recently clarified again that the weapon is just fine as it is.
Phantom – The silent assault rifle
What is the Phantom? The Phantom is a powerful assault rifle and, together with the Vandal, the most expensive weapon in its class. It costs a proud 2,900 credits. The Phantom differs from the Vandal in that it fires faster and is suitable for wallbanging (shooting through walls) and shooting through the widely popular smokes. However, its damage decreases at range and does not allow for one-shot headshots anymore.
Vandal – The loud assault rifle
What is the Vandal? The Vandal is an assault rifle that is as popular as the Phantom and also costs 2,900 credits. Unlike this weapon, the Vandal is a bit more brutal and deals more damage. It is loud and hits hard, even at long range. Therefore, it is also suitable as a counter to Operator shooters. A headshot with the Vandal is also lethal. However, the Phantom is better at short range than the Vandal. The Vandal is the ideal weapon for aggressive duelists who like to take down opponents with quick headshots. However, there is currently a problem with great inaccuracy on the first shot with the Vandal.
All A-Tier Weapons – These guns are always a good choice
In the A-Tier, you will find weapons that are simply good. There is hardly any reason not to take such a weapon if it fits your style.
Ghost – The top pistol
What is the Ghost? This pistol is a very good choice for the pistol round thanks to its large magazine and good damage. Since it only costs 500 credits, you even have some money left to buy skills. Particularly cool: If your opponent has no shield, he is dead after a headshot. Therefore, the weapon is also very strong in eco rounds (rounds where little is purchased). Alternatively, the Ghost also works well as a second weapon with the Operator sniper in case you do end up in close combat.
Sheriff – Pro weapon for good shooters
What is the Sheriff? Here you get a high-caliber weapon that you can just barely afford as a high-end purchase for 800 credits in the pistol round. For that, you get a headshot monster that reliably takes down any opponent – even with armor – at under 30 meters with a headshot. Therefore, the weapon is extremely popular with pros – both for the pistol round and as a secondary weapon.
Spectre – The small assault rifle
What is the Spectre? This SMG is a compact weapon that has a large magazine and a good fire rate. In close combat, you can reliably take down opponents with it. It is especially important that you only need 2 headshots and one hit of any kind to kill even fully armored opponents. The weapon is often used as a substitute for assault rifles due to its low cost of only 1,600 credits.
Marshall – The small operator
What is the Marshall? Here you get a sniper rifle that in the right hands is as powerful as the Operator but costs much less. With 1,100 credits, the Marshall is practically a steal. Headshots with this rifle are always deadly, regardless of what armor the opponent has. Additionally, the weapon forgives more mistakes than the Operator, as it fires twice as fast. However, body shots are only deadly on unarmored targets.
Bulldog – Assault rifle for penny pinchers
What is the Bulldog? Here you get a relatively cheap fully automatic rifle for only 2,100 credits. The Bulldog can even deal deadly headshots – for unarmored targets. If you master its spray pattern in bursts, you can also reliably mow down armored opponents. If you can’t afford a Vandal or Phantom, then definitely take this weapon.
All B-Tier Weapons – Solid rifles and pistols that are OK
In the B-Tier, you will find weapons that are still OK and shine in certain situations. But overall, they are behind the better guns in the A and S tiers. However, if your style prefers them or you need to save, then the weapons are still usable.
Guardian – Half sniper, half assault rifle
What is the Guardian? This rifle was recently buffed and now costs only 2,500 credits. This made the Guardian more popular and useful again, but overall it only ranks in B-Tier. For in this tier, you get a semi-automatic rifle that shoots very accurately and deals extreme damage. Headshots are always deadly here, but you need to aim well and only have single shots.
Shorty – The economy wonder
What is the Shorty? The Shorty is a sawed-off shotgun that costs only 200 credits. This makes it an interesting option in eco or pistol rounds. You can brutally take down opponents at close range with some luck and then steal better weapons from them. Or you can simply dominate the pistol round with it and still have enough money to buy skills or other gear. However, its deviation is quite bad, and even up close, it can happen that the opponent survives with 2 hitpoints.
Stinger – The close combat chainsaw
What is the Stinger? Here you get a small, inexpensive SMG for only 1,000 credits that fires extremely fast. The whole magazine can be fired in just under a second. Everyone who has the misfortune to stand in front of you will regret it. However, after the 10th shot, the spray gets so wild that you have problems hitting anything even in close combat. This makes the weapon less effective in fights against multiple opponents.
Bucky – The “sniper shotgun”
What is the Bucky? This weapon for 900 credits is a simple pump gun. You have a low fire rate due to the reloading, but when the shots hit, the opponent is dead after one shot, even if he is armored. Contrary to expectations, the secondary fire mode with its narrow spread is optimal for shots at medium range. But be sure to practice aiming with the Bucky to make reliable one-shots. Note that the Bucky and other shotguns are not very precise anymore when jumping or flying.
Judge – The shotgun for beginners
What is the Judge? This shotgun for 1,500 credits fires automatically. Therefore, you can take down several opponents quickly in succession, unlike with the Bucky. Additionally, the weapon is quite mobile and can be well used while running. Since you shoot quickly, it’s not a big deal if a shot misses. However, the Judge’s range is poor. At range, you hardly deal damage. Experienced shooters prefer the Bucky, which costs only about half as much. However, since shotguns generally lag behind SMGs and assault rifles, both shotguns are still in B-Tier.
Ares – The death of penny pinchers
What is the Ares? This machine gun for 1,600 credits impresses with its high rate of fire and a massive magazine. Additionally, it punches through walls well and is optimal for wallbanging. Furthermore, it is very suitable for taking down teams that are currently having an eco round and therefore do not have good weapons ready. In a fight with high-class weapons, the Ares is too weak to compete with real assault rifles.
Odin – Good, but too expensive
What is the Odin? The heavy machine gun Odin is a monster that offers a huge magazine of 100 shots and pierces walls like butter. The rate of fire is also impressive. If Valorant were a game that was not dominated by sniper weapons, then the Odin would be a strong weapon. But at range, it lacks the precision and damage of snipers and good assault rifles. For the hefty price of 3,200 credits, you should rather get an S-Tier weapon. On the other hand, shooting wildly with the MG is simply a lot of fun!
Classic – Free and still quite OK
What is the Classic? Everyone knows the Classic, because everyone has it. This weapon is given to every agent in Valorant for free at the start of a round unless they have something better. The Classic is not a powerful weapon. It is a simple pistol that holds 12 shots and deals moderate damage. What is interesting here is the alternative fire mode, as you unleash a 3-shot burst that works like a mini-shotgun. If you hit the head with it, it’s an insta-kill. Not bad for a weapon that costs nothing. Because then you can usually steal a better gun from the opponent.
All C-Tier Weapons – Only conditionally recommendable guns
In the C-Tier, there is currently only one weapon. All the guns that are no longer really good but are still just about OK end up here. They can only be used meaningfully in certain circumstances, but overall they leave much to be desired.
Frenzy – Small lead slinger that falls short of expectations
What is the Frenzy? Here you get a small, fully automatic pistol for 400 credits. The Frenzy fires ammunition quickly but has only a small magazine and deals little damage. In the right situation, it can still take down an opponent well, but overall you are better off with any other weapon.
So much for our classification of weapons in the game. If you have any comments or have a completely different opinion, let us know in the comments. If you are more interested in the heroes in Valorant, then check out our ranking of the agents in Riot’s team shooter.
