VALORANT Weapon Tier List (March 2022): S to D Ranking

There are currently 17 weapons to choose from in VALORANT, and each one offers something different in terms of features. From the Spectre's lightning-fast bursts to the Operator's slow but deadly shots, there is a weapon for every skill level and situation. However, if you want to beat the competition and lock in those all-important wins, you will want to spend your hard-earned credits on the best weapons. Of course, knowing which weapon to pick can be a little tricky at times, especially when some are much better than others. Fortunately, we have put together a handy tier list that covers every weapon available in the game and ranks them by overall damage and usability. Here is a weapon tier list ranking each of the 17 weapons in VALORANT. Using this table to choose weapons in your next match will definitely give you a competitive edge.

VALORANT Weapon Tier List: March 2022

We have ranked all 17 weapons currently available in VALORANT by the impact they can have in the current meta. Make sure to check which of these weapons could potentially win you an eco round or put you ahead.

Tier	Weapons
S	Vandal, Phantom, Operator
A	Sheriff, Spectre, Ghost
B	Guardian, Marshal, Judge, Frenzy
C	Ares, Bulldog, Classic, Bucky
D	Stinger, Shorty, Odin

S-Tier Weapons in VALORANT

Vandal

While the Vandal versus Phantom debate has raged since VALORANT's closed beta, we believe the Vandal offers far greater kill potential thanks to its ability to remove opponents with a single headshot (regardless of distance). The Vandal is extremely deadly at both close range and in long-range fights, which makes it one of the most versatile weapons in the current meta.

Phantom

The Phantom may not deal as much damage as the Vandal, but its overall accuracy and high fire rate can hurt even the toughest enemies. Equipped with a suppressor and a 30-round magazine, the Phantom is an absolute laser in short- and medium-range fights. That said, the battle between the Phantom and the Vandal often comes down to personal preference. Both are great. The Phantom technically has a faster time to kill thanks to its fire rate, so if you need to spray down enemies in a pinch, you can easily do it with the suppressed rifle.

Operator

You know the Operator belongs in the S tier of the VALORANT weapon tier list. The sniper rifle deals the most single-shot damage in the whole game, giving snipers the chance to send their opposition to the sidelines with a single bullet. Every defensive setup in VALORANT revolves around a few Operators holding key angles, and pushing into one is nearly impossible without proper utility. It costs 4,700 credits for a reason, and that is why it sits in the tier it deserves.

A-Tier Weapons in VALORANT

Sheriff

The Sheriff's one-shot kill from 0 to 30 metres is great for trying to piece together a cheeky win in eco rounds. If you can handle the high recoil and aim to land those sneaky one-taps, you should consider picking up the Sheriff as your weapon.

Spectre

The Spectre is the best of the SMGs and one of the best all-round weapons in VALORANT. If the Vandal and Phantom are out of your price range, buying a Spectre makes the most sense. To get the most out of this deadly SMG's fast bursts, always try to look for flanking opportunities where you can get behind your enemies, or hold tight angles where its fire rate will shred them.

Ghost

As its name suggests, the Ghost offers a stealthier weapon option for those who want to quietly take down their enemies. On the surface the Ghost may look much weaker than the Sheriff, but its forgiving 15-round magazine and good fire rate (6.75 rounds/sec) let players fire off bullets quickly when they need them most.

B-Tier Weapons in VALORANT

Guardian

This semi-automatic rifle packs a real punch, with 65 body-shot damage and skull-shattering 195 headshot damage. It used to be unable to reach a high ranking because it did not fit the meta and was overshadowed by cheaper weapons. However, recent changes have brought it up to the B tier. If you have the aim, the Guardian is fine, but you might consider a Marshal instead. It does the same job of holding angles, and the only thing you get from the Guardian is a second chance at your shot.

Marshal

The Marshal is VALORANT's more agile sniper rifle. Equipped with a 3.5x scope and a five-round magazine, it is worth picking if you know you can land headshots most of the time, since neither body shots nor leg shots will kill an armoured Agent outright.

Judge

The Judge took a big hit going into Episode 3. The price increase from 250 credits to a total of 1,850 makes it a much more expensive option, and while the extra damage at range helps, it ultimately makes the weapon worse. It is still an option if you want to rush into the fight but keep an eye on your economy.

Frenzy

A fire rate of 10 rounds per second means you can blow someone apart before they can react, but it also means you will have to watch your ammo management with only 13 rounds in a magazine. Still, it is at least better than the Classic pistol.

C-Tier Weapons in VALORANT

Ares

The Ares is the Odin's little brother and definitely earns its place on the battlefield. Its large magazine and reasonable damage make it your saviour when you cannot afford an Odin. However, the Ares is relatively inflexible. In every other situation, you could also spend your 1,600 credits on a Spectre to get a more mobile and better weapon.

Bulldog

Although the Bulldog has the lowest damage profile in the Rifle category, its overall ease of use more than makes up for it. The Bulldog's upward recoil can be a little hard to control on full auto, so if you have trouble landing shots, consider switching to the weapon's alternate burst mode.

Classic

VALORANT's Classic pistol was the best of the bunch apart from the Sheriff. However, it has been gradually nerfed. Used correctly, the Classic can be deadly, especially with right click. It deals a lot of burst damage and can take someone down if you connect with the head.

Bucky

The Bucky was the best weapon in VALORANT for a few months. For 900 credits, it dealt insane damage up close and at range, rivalling the Phantom and Vandal. However, several factors really took the wind out of its sails. It is now just a shell of its former self. With less damage on its right-click blast, its primary benefit has been removed.

D-Tier Weapons in VALORANT

Stinger

Very similar to the Frenzy, the Stinger was in fashion for a few weeks in VALORANT in early 2021. The cheap SMG was praised for its incredible firepower at only around 1,000 credits. With its fast fire rate, you can rush a site, empty a mag instantly and overwhelm the enemy.

Shorty

The Shorty is one of the most satisfying yet equally frustrating sidearms available in VALORANT. Because of its incredibly short range and two-round magazine, the Shorty is best used as an ambush-style weapon.

Odin

If you love the idea of mowing down and crushing your enemies with a hail of bullets, then this beast will do exactly that. The Odin keeps causing damage on the battlefield thanks to its high bullet penetration, reasonable damage, monstrous 100-round magazine and surprisingly fast fire rate.

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