Vandal vs. Phantom: The Pros and Cons at VCT 2025 – Masters Bangkok | AllValorant.gg

The ongoing debate between Vandal and Phantom remains a central topic for both pro players and the Valorant community. At the VCT 2025 – Masters Bangkok, the weapon preference data from THESPIKE.GG offers an intriguing insight into how professional players choose between these two rifles. While both weapons have their strengths, their effectiveness varies based on playstyle, map control, and specific strategies.

In this article, we break down the weapon statistics from the Masters Bangkok event and explore community reactions on Reddit’s /r/competitivevalorant to better understand the ongoing debate.

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The Numbers: Vandal vs. Phantom

At VCT 2025 – Masters Bangkok, weapon pick rates and kill efficiencies were thoroughly analyzed. Here’s a breakdown of the stats according to THESPIKE.GG:

Out of a total of 4,950 weapon purchases (including the free Classic):

• Vandal: 2,020 picks (40.81% pick rate)
• Phantom: 1,047 picks (21.15% pick rate)

As we can see, the Vandal is picked almost twice as often as the Phantom. However, when analyzing kill efficiency:

• Vandal: 2,749 total kills → 1.36 kills per buy
• Phantom: 2,587 total kills → 2.47 kills per buy

This shows that Phantom players are securing more kills per round on average, with each Phantom purchase resulting in approximately 2.5 kills, compared to 1.36 kills per Vandal purchase. Interestingly, the Phantom seems to perform better in the multikill department, while the Vandal typically yields cleaner, single kills before players reposition or get traded.

For context, the Ghost, which had the third-highest pick rate at Masters Bangkok, averaged 1.89 kills per buy, making it a solid secondary option, mainly in pistol rounds.

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Map-by-Map Breakdown: Vandal vs. Phantom

The performance of each weapon can differ significantly across maps. Here’s a look at how the Vandal and Phantom compare on specific maps:

Map	Vandal Picks (Kills)	Phantom Picks (Kills)
Abyss	323 (404)	134 (367)
Bind	257 (425)	204 (452)
Fracture	246 (331)	143 (341)
Haven	251 (350)	129 (316)
Lotus	379 (476)	160 (374)
Pearl	324 (399)	117 (379)
Split	238 (364)	160 (358)

Key Takeaways:

• Vandal is the most-picked weapon across all maps, but the Phantom still performs admirably despite its lower pick rate.
• Bind and Fracture stand out as the only maps where the Phantom outperforms the Vandal in kills, demonstrating its superiority in close-range fights.
• Maps with long sight-lines, like Haven and Lotus, favor the Vandal, while tighter maps such as Bind and Pearl give the Phantom an edge in fast, execute-heavy playstyles.

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Case Study: Team Vitality on Bind

One standout example of Phantom use comes from Team Vitality during VCT Masters Bangkok. On Bind, the team frequently opted for three Phantoms in their buy rounds, showcasing how the Phantom excels in tight, close-range battles. Their composition included agents like Brimstone, Raze, Viper, and Tejo, all of whom capitalized on the Phantom’s fire rate, recoil control, and faster first-shot accuracy.

By opting for the Phantom, Vitality was able to clear corners efficiently and engage in duels with minimal risk of being outgunned at close range. This strategy highlights the Phantom’s effectiveness in execute-heavy maps and its ability to take multiple kills in quick succession.

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Why Pros Still Prefer the Vandal

Despite the Phantom’s advantages, the Vandal remains the weapon of choice for most pros. The main reason is damage consistency.

• The Vandal delivers 160 headshot damage, ensuring a one-tap kill at any range.
• The Phantom, on the other hand, does 140 headshot damage beyond 20 meters, leaving enemies with 10 HP, requiring a follow-up shot.

For longer sightlines, the Vandal’s consistency and ability to get a one-tap kill make it the preferred rifle. In contrast, the Phantom is better suited for close-range engagements, where its faster fire rate and higher accuracy are crucial.

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Community Reactions: Vandal vs. Phantom Debate on Reddit

The Vandal vs. Phantom debate is not just a topic among pros—it also resonates deeply within the Valorant community. Several players on /r/competitivevalorant have shared their opinions on the matter, adding their thoughts to the ongoing discussion.

Noobyeclipse highlights that the Phantom’s higher kill-per-buy ratio could mean it’s actually easier to use compared to the Vandal, which requires more precise shots to secure kills.

Booplee argues that the Phantom’s spray control, higher first-shot accuracy, and no tracers through smokes give it an advantage in chaotic engagements. He also mentions that Phantom users are more likely to win multiple fights in quick succession, while Vandal users are more focused on landing headshots.

On the other hand, Kingfupandapo believes the Phantom’s 140 damage can often leave opponents with too little HP for a follow-up shot, making it less reliable than the Vandal at longer ranges.

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Conclusion: Which Rifle Should You Choose?

At VCT 2025 – Masters Bangkok, both the Vandal and Phantom have proven their worth. While the Vandal continues to be the weapon of choice for pro players due to its one-tap kill potential at any range, the Phantom has found its place as a highly effective close-range rifle, excelling in execute-heavy strategies.

Ultimately, the choice between the two rifles comes down to playstyle, map positioning, and personal comfort. If you prefer long-range duels, the Vandal is your go-to rifle. If you favor close-quarters fights or spraying through smokes, the Phantom might be more your speed.

For more in-depth analysis and statistics, visit AllValorant.gg

Frequently Asked Questions About Vandal vs. Phantom in VALORANT