Best Valorant Gun for Every Scenario: The Ultimate Weapon Guide 2025 | AllValorant.gg

In VALORANT, your ability to pick the right weapon for each situation is just as important as aim and movement. Each gun has specific strengths and weaknesses, and knowing when to use them can give you a massive advantage.

From pistols and rifles to snipers and heavy weapons, we’ll cover every single gun, explaining which scenarios they excel in and when you should avoid them. If you want to maximize your impact in every round, this guide is for you.

credit: All Images are credited to Riot Games.

---

Pistols: The Backbone of Economy Rounds

The Classic – Best Free Pistol for Eco Rounds

The Classic is the only free weapon in the game, and while it’s often seen as weak, it actually excels in certain situations:

• Jumping accuracy allows for mobile duels.
• Right-click burst fire can be deadly at close range.
• Only pistol that allows Light Armor purchase on pistol rounds.

✅ Best for: Pistol rounds, eco rounds, aggressive retakes.
⚠️ Avoid using it in: Mid-to-long range fights due to low damage.

---

The Shorty – Best for Close-Range Ambushes

The Shorty is a cheap, close-range shotgun, devastating in tight angles. It’s perfect for defensive agents like Jett, Raze, or Chamber, and is often used as a secondary weapon for Operator players.

✅ Best for: Holding tight corners, stacking Hookah on Bind.
⚠️ Avoid using it in: Open areas or mid-to-long range fights.

---

The Frenzy – Best for Aggressive Pistol Rounds

The Frenzy is a fully automatic pistol, designed for fast-paced engagements. It’s excellent for rushing bomb sites or aggressive pistol rounds.

✅ Best for: Entry fraggers, eco buys, aggressive duels.
⚠️ Avoid using it in: Long-range fights due to high recoil.

---

The Ghost – Best for Long-Range Pistol Rounds

The Ghost is a silent, high-accuracy pistol, great for tap-firing at long range. It’s a favorite for players who prefer precise shots.

✅ Best for: Holding long angles on pistol rounds, eco buys.
⚠️ Avoid using it in: Close-range fights against Shorty or Frenzy.

---

The Sheriff – Best for One-Taps and Eco Rounds

The Sheriff is a high-damage revolver that can one-tap opponents. It’s a go-to eco weapon, capable of turning rounds in an instant.

✅ Best for: Eco rounds, long-range one-taps, holding angles.
⚠️ Avoid using it in: Spray fights or against fast-moving enemies.

---

SMGs: When to Use Them?

The Stinger – Best for Close-Range Rushes

The Stinger is a cheap automatic SMG, excelling in fast, aggressive pushes.

✅ Best for: Eco rushes, aggressive fights, post-plant defense.
⚠️ Avoid using it in: Long-range engagements due to insane recoil.

---

The Spectre – Best for Bonus Rounds

A step up from the Stinger, the Spectre is a solid mid-range SMG. It’s great for holding angles and bonus rounds after a pistol win.

✅ Best for: Bonus rounds, eco rounds, mid-range duels.
⚠️ Avoid using it in: Long-range battles, where rifles dominate.

---

Shotguns: Close-Quarter Combat

The Bucky – Best for Corner Stacking

Since its nerf, the Bucky has lost viability, but stacking multiple Buckies in tight areas can still be effective.

✅ Best for: Holding U-Haul on Bind, Hookah rushes, surprise attacks.
⚠️ Avoid using it in: Wide-open areas, as its range is terrible.

---

The Judge – Best for Close-Range Control

The Judge is deadly in small spaces, perfect for holding bombsites and choke points. Raze, Jett, and Reyna can maximize its impact.

✅ Best for: Holding Garage on Haven, defending small sites.
⚠️ Avoid using it in: Open maps like Breeze.

---

Rifles: Your Go-To Weapons

Bulldog vs. Guardian – Budget Rifle Choices

• Bulldog: Affordable, fully automatic, great for half-buys.
• Guardian: One-shot precision, wall-bang potential, great for long-range fights.

✅ Best for: Half-buy rounds, budget-friendly rifle play.
⚠️ Avoid using them against: Full-buy Vandal/Phantom users.

---

Phantom vs. Vandal – The Eternal Debate

• Phantom: Silent, more forgiving, faster fire rate.
• Vandal: One-tap potential at any range, high headshot damage.

✅ Pick Phantom if: You fight at mid-range or want stealth.
✅ Pick Vandal if: You take long-range fights and prefer one-taps.

---

Snipers: Precision Shooting

The Marshal – Best Budget Sniper

A low-cost sniper, great for long-range pistol rounds or eco buys.

✅ Best for: Holding long sightlines, eco sniping.
⚠️ Avoid using it in: Close-range fights.

---

The Operator – Best for Map Control

The most expensive and powerful sniper, the Operator dominates at long-range angles.

✅ Best for: Holding deep angles, controlling lanes.
⚠️ Avoid using it in: Retakes and against eco-rushing enemies.

---

Heavy Weapons: Suppressive Fire

The Ares – Best for Wallbangs on Eco Rounds

The Ares has high wallbang potential, but is rarely used due to better rifle options.

✅ Best for: Holding tight angles, wall spam plays.
⚠️ Avoid using it in: Open duels.

---

The Odin – Best for Defense & Wallbangs

The Odin is underrated but incredibly powerful. Its massive magazine is great for suppressing enemies.

✅ Best for: Ascent B-site spam, defensive suppression.
⚠️ Avoid using it in: Fast-paced duels.

---

Final Thoughts: Choose the Right Weapon for Every Fight

Each gun in VALORANT serves a specific purpose, and choosing the right one for each scenario will give you a tactical advantage.

• Eco rounds? Pick Sheriff, Ghost, or Frenzy.
• Bonus rounds? Use Spectre or Bulldog.
• Close-range fights? Choose Judge or Shorty.
• Long-range duels? Use Vandal or Operator.

By understanding each weapon’s strengths, you can maximize your impact in every round.

For the latest Valorant guides, check AllValorant.gg!

Frequently Asked Questions about Weapons in VALORANT