Valorant: Rifles guide - Bulldog, Guardian, Phantom, Vandal Valorant guide, tips
Last update: 16 April 2020
In this chapter you will learn about the the characteristics of all rifles available in Valorant. The description of each weapon also has tips that can be useful during gameplay. In addition, each weapon has an example of its spread along with advice on how to control its recoil.
In Valorant, rifles are the most popular type of weapon. However, some of them can be quite expensive, making them usually used in the middle phase of a match. They perform well at any distance, but shooting longer series requires you to adjust the sight to reduce the recoil. To maximize the potential of this weapon, always try to aim at the head, as the first 2-3 rounds usually fly right at the target.
Bulldog
Bulldog is one of the rifles available in Valorant. This weapon is most effective at close and medium range. Bulldog has 24 rounds in its magazine. A single direct headshot to an unarmored enemy is enough to kill them - 116 damage within the weapon's effective range. If your opponent has armor, you will need 2 shots.
Bulldog also has an alternate firing mode. After pressing RMB, the player can use ADS, an additional sight. Upon switching to ADS, Bulldog automatically switches to burst mode - it shoots 3 bullets in a series. You can't use automatic mode.
The image above shows an example of the Bulldog's spread, one of the weapons in Valorant. The test was conducted from a medium distance - the closer the target, the smaller the bullet spread. The first three rounds hit the point, and but the weapon pulls upwards for the next four rounds. At this level, the spread becomes horizontal - from left to right. To reduce Bulldog's recoil, pull the weapon gently down and then counter with the mouse by moving right and left after firing the first 3 rounds.
Guardian
Guardian is another rifle in Valorant. The most interesting thing about this gun is that it is semi-automatic - its fire rate depends on how fast you press the button. On the one hand, that is good because it gives you more control over the weapon, but on the other hand, you can feel the lack of automatic mode. Since Guardian is semi-automatic, it also inflicts more damage. A single headshot is fatal - it deals 195 damage. If you shoot at the body, you will need at least 2 hits. Guardian has only 12 rounds in the magazine.
Guardian definitely gains effectiveness when you switch to ADS mode (with extra scope). This allows you to use this weapon like a sniper rifle - point it at the head, pull the trigger and eliminate the target.
The image above shows an example of the Guardian's spread, one of the weapons in Valorant. The test was conducted from a medium distance - the closer the target, the smaller the bullet spread. The first two rounds hit right the target. After that, the weapon pulls up quite significantly, then left and right. To reduce Guardian's recoil, pull the weapon gently down and then counter with the mouse by moving right and left after firing the first 2 rounds.
Phantom
Phantom is another rifle available in Valorant. It stands out with its silencer - the weapon is really very quiet. Phantom has 30 rounds in its magazine and fires in full-auto. A single headshot from this rifle is fatal - 156 damage within the weapon's effective range. If you shoot at the body, you will need at least 3 hits.
Phantom also has an additional scope (ADS). With it, the rate of fire of this weapon decreases slightly, but it gains stability, making it easier to control.
The image above shows an example of the Phantom's spread, one of the weapons in Valorant. The test was conducted from a medium distance - the closer the target, the smaller the bullet spread. The first two bullets fly right at the point, then the gun begins to pull up and then starts firing sideways - from left to right. To reduce Phantom's recoil, pull the weapon gently down and then counter with the mouse by moving right and left after firing the first 2 rounds.
Vandal
Vandal is the last of the rifles available in Valorant. It has 25 rounds in its magazine, and a direct shot to the head is fatal - 156 damage from any distance. Unfortunately, Vandal is difficult to control, as it has the largest bullet spread out of all the rifles in Valorant.
Like the other rifles, Vandal also has an ADS mode. Switching to an extra scope will help you control the weapon - we recommend using this mode instead of shooting from the hip.
The image above shows an example of the Vandal's spread, one of the weapons in Valorant. The test was conducted from a medium distance - the closer the target, the smaller the bullet spread. While the first two bullets are more or less accurate, the next ones are hitting above the target, and then slightly to the right - you need to have good control over the weapon. In the last phase of spraying, the bullet spread moves from left to right.