Araxys Knife vs. Kuronami Knife: Which is the Best Melee In Valorant?

The release of the Araxys Knife has sparked debates among Valorant players as it is the second chain-themed melee skin to hit the game. Naturally, comparisons have arisen with its predecessor, the iconic Kuronami Knife, which many consider a masterpiece. In this article, we’ll break down the differences between Araxys and Kuronami in terms of sound design, visuals, animations, variants, and price to decide which melee reigns supreme.

If you’re interested in looking at the Araxys 2.0 bundle, click here.

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Sound Design

The sound design of a melee weapon is critical to its appeal. Araxys Knife excels in creating a sci-fi, alien-like ambiance. The movement of the chain and subtle mechanical sounds reflect its otherworldly theme, staying consistent with the rest of the Araxys bundle.

On the other hand, Kuronami opts for a cleaner, sharper sound. The blade slices through the air with precision, exuding elegance. While Araxys Knife impresses with its thematic consistency, Kuronami’s sound design edges ahead with its sleek execution, giving it a slight advantage.

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Visual Design

Kuronami is widely regarded as almost perfect in terms of visual design. The blade’s detailed craftsmanship and the polished chain create a sense of sophistication. Each element of Kuronami feels purposeful and seamless.

Araxys Knife offers a more futuristic aesthetic, with its claw-like design and glowing energy effects. The inspect animation, where the claws open, is particularly eye-catching. However, Kuronami still stands out as the cleaner and more polished design overall.

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Animations

Both melees share identical left-click and right-click animations, but their differences shine in the equip and inspect sequences:

• Equip Animation:
  Kuronami Knife features a swift spinning motion of the blade in the player’s hand, emphasizing agility and elegance. Araxys Knife takes a more dramatic approach, with the chain twirling around before being firmly gripped.
• Inspect Animation:
  Kuronami’s inspect is simple yet interactive, allowing players to control the spinning speed of the blade. Araxys Knife , in contrast, blasts energy from both ends, adding flair to its inspect but lacking the user-controlled finesse of Kuronami.

In this category, Kuronami emerges as the winner due to its interactivity and elegant simplicity.

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Variants

Both Araxys and Kuronami Knives offer an impressive range of color variants. Here’s how they stack up:

• Araxys Knife Variants:
  • BlackWhitePurpleDefault (futuristic red-gold tones)
  The black and white variants are standout choices, while the default color scheme, though thematic, may not appeal to everyone.
• Kuronami Knife Variants:
  • WhiteBlack and RedPurpleDefault (traditional Japanese-inspired tones)
  Kuronami’s variants are more universally appealing. Players often feel any of its options could be chosen at random without disappointment, giving it an edge over Araxys.

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Price

Both melees are expected to cost 5,350 Valorant Points (VP), making them equally priced. However, the Araxys bundle is a tier below Kuronami’s bundle, making Araxys slightly more cost-effective if purchased as part of the entire set.

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So Which Knife Is Better?

When all factors are considered, Kuronami edges ahead as the better chain melee due to its superior animations, universally appealing variants, and cleaner design. That said, the Araxys melee is still an excellent choice for those seeking a futuristic aesthetic and unique inspect animation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Araxys Knife vs. Kuronami Knife: