Hey everyone, your friendly neighborhood Valorant tryhard here! 🎯 So, you're trying to figure out what gun to buy with those hard-earned credits? Trust me, I've been there. The meta's always shifting, but after grinding ranked in 2026, some truths about the arsenal remain eternal. Picking the right weapon isn't just about raw power; it's about value, utility, and how it fits your playstyle. But let's be real, some guns are just straight-up better investments than others. I'm gonna break down every weapon from the absolute garbage to the S-tier god-tier picks. This is my personal, up-to-date tier list for the current Valorant scene. Let's get into it!

First off, let's talk about the criteria. I'm ranking these bad boys based on three main things: Price, Utility, and Effectiveness. A cheap gun that slaps is an S-tier econ play. An expensive gun that whiffs? That's a big oof for your team's bank. We're going from the bottom of the barrel to the cream of the crop.

D Tier - The "Why Would You Even?" Crew 😬

These are the guns you buy when you've given up on winning the round, no cap. They offer zero distinct advantages and are basically a credit sink.

• Tactical Knife: Okay, it's not a gun, but since we're talking weapons... It's your starter. The only pro? It doesn't impact base movement speed, so you can zoom around the map. The alt-fire can one-tap from behind, but pulling that off is like winning the lottery. Swap this out ASAP, my dudes.

• Shorty: Oh, the Shorty. This thing is meme material. Terrible range, only two shells before a reload, and it costs 150 credits. The Classic (which is FREE) is almost always a better option. Buying this is a certified throw move.

C Tier - The "Situational at Best" Squad 😐

These guns aren't terrible, but you're putting yourself at a disadvantage. There might be a niche scenario where they work, but 99% of the time, you want something from a higher tier.

• Bulldog (2,050 credits): The budget assault rifle. It has higher recoil, a smaller mag, and lower damage than the Vandal/Phantom. It can work in early rounds against other low-tier guns if you hold a long angle, but it's an uphill battle.

• Frenzy (450 credits): The full-auto spray on this pistol is so hard to control. It'll lose most duels. For pistol round, just spend the extra 50 credits for the Ghost. Your aim (and your K/D) will thank you.

• Ares (1,600 credits): The budget Odin. Half the price, half the mag (50 vs 100), and a slower fire rate. It's an okay pick when you're broke and need something, but prepare to get outgunned by proper rifles.

• Guardian (2,250 credits): The semi-automatic rifle. It's expensive and has a high skill ceiling. It can one-tap headshot at any range, which is sweet for long angles, but in a fast-paced fight, its fire rate can get you killed. It's for patient players only.

B Tier - The "Solid & Reliable" Picks 👍

Now we're getting somewhere! These are good guns that can absolutely win you rounds. They're often great value picks, but they might struggle against the top-tier meta weapons.

• Stinger (950 credits): The ultra-budget SMG. High fire rate for close quarters, but the recoil makes it a pea-shooter at range. A classic save-round weapon.

• Bucky (850 credits): The defensive shotgun king. Slower fire rate than the Judge, but for holding tight corners and surprising rushers, it's a fantastic, cheap option. Perfect for eco rounds.

• Ghost (500 credits): The pistol round GOAT for many players. Very accurate and can one-tap unarmored heads. A fantastic sidearm all around.

• Classic (FREE): The king of value because it costs nothing! Use it to save credits for full buys. Its alternate burst fire is low-key deadly. Never underestimate a good Classic user.

• Marshal (950 credits): The budget sniper. For when you want to hold an angle but only have 1k credits. It one-shots to the head and has a faster fire rate than the Op, but body shots won't kill. Great for aggressive sniping on a budget.

A Tier - The "Powerful but Flawed" Elite 💪

These guns are strong, often dominant in their specific niche, but they come with a clear weakness that keeps them out of S-tier.

• Sheriff (800 credits): The high-risk, high-reward pistol. A headshot within 30m is a guaranteed kill. Miss that shot against a Frenzy or Spectre up close, and you're toast. Pairs amazingly with an Operator as a secondary.

• Odin (3,200 credits): The ultimate spray-and-pray weapon. Expensive, but its high-capacity mag is perfect for suppressing fire, wall-banging, and getting multi-kills through smokes. Lacks one-tap potential, but sometimes volume of fire wins.

• Judge (1,850 credits): The best shotgun, hands down. It's full-auto and dominates in close quarters, both offensively and defensively. Just don't try to use it past 10 meters, or you'll be hitting for 3 damage.

• Spectre (1,600 credits): The all-around fantastic SMG. Great value, high fire rate, and a laser beam for close-range combat. The go-to weapon for second rounds and force buys. A true workhorse.

S Tier - The "Meta-Defining" GODS 👑

The crème de la crème. These weapons have proven, year after year, to be the most optimal choices. They excel in almost every scenario and offer the best effectiveness for their cost. This is what you save for.

• Operator (4,700 credits): The one-shot wonder. It kills with one bullet to the head OR body. On maps with long sightlines, it's utterly oppressive. Yes, it's crazy expensive and terrible in close quarters (just quick-swap to your sidearm!), but in the right hands, it's a round-winner.

• Vandal (2,900 credits): The long-range headshot machine. It one-taps to the head at ANY distance. The recoil is tough, so you gotta fire in bursts of 3-5. If you have god-like aim and want consistency at all ranges, the Vandal is your soulmate.

• Phantom (2,900 credits): My personal favorite and, I'd argue, the most versatile rifle in the game. Compared to the Vandal, it has a higher fire rate, better recoil, a silencer, and a bigger mag. Its only downside? Damage fall-off means it won't one-tap to the head past 15 meters. For most engagements, the Phantom's spray control and DPS are unmatched.

The Quick Reference - Your Cheat Sheet 📋

Here's the whole list in one clean image for you to screenshot and reference mid-game! Remember, tier lists are a guide, not a bible. Your comfort and skill with a weapon matter most. But if you want to maximize your credit efficiency and fragging potential in 2026, you can't go wrong sticking to the S and A tiers. Now go out there and drop some bombs! Peace out. ✌️