Choosing a weapon in the armory during a buy round is a lot like pairing a nice wine with your meal. Going for the Pinot Gris when having Tilapia is the perfect pair for the situation. It is similar to a Viper player deciding to pair their ultimate with a Phantom. Due to the many situations you might find yourself in the game, finding that exquisite pairing can be tough. To do so, you must understand each weapon and what they bring to the table. Let’s discuss what makes each weapon a good choice, and how we can use their nuances by talking about each quirk and their effectiveness.

Sidearms

Classic

Although the Classic is the free pistol you get at the beginning of each round, it is quite versatile. Featuring an alternate fire that shoots a cluster of bullets, the Classic can neutralize an enemy rather quickly. Left Click, Right Click is the most efficient way to kill an enemy that is carrying full shields and has full health. Primary fire to Alternate fire allows for a quick fire rate that deals deathly damage to your opponent. Combine this technique with the Classic’s accuracy while jumping and you have a free weapon that is viable at close range even if you have a rifle on you.

Shorty

The Shorty is actually very usable in the right situations. Buying a Shorty when you want to commit to a specific play can result in easy kills. Buying and using a Shorty inside of a smoke can result in a quick kill followed by a quick escape. Jett, Omen, and Viper players can place their smokes aggressively to surprise enemies and utilize the Shorty’s effectiveness at close range. You know the Shorty will be effective in this range as well because the smoke forces close engagements if the enemy decides to push through.

Frenzy

The obvious use case of a Frenzy is to run and gun, creating space for your teammates, but don’t be afraid to tap shoot at longer distances. From 20m-50m it only takes 2 shots to the head to kill an enemy with no shields and 3 shots to kill an enemy with full shields (same as the Classic). At closer ranges, 0-20m it still takes 2 shots to the head to kill an enemy with or without shields. It is not a horrible gun at longer ranges, even if its automatic firing rate suggests this.

Ghost

The Ghost is the most forgiving pistol having a max spread of 1.65 while 1.24 while crouched. In comparison the primary fire on the Classic has a max spread of 1.80 while standing and 1.35 while crouched. Use this tight bullet spread with the addition of its built-in silencer to spam through abilities like walls and smokes. No tracers, tighter shots, solid damage. It is great as a secondary buy if the enemy team has a double controller team composition.

Sheriff

Are you him? Are you the Miami Heat’s Jimmy Butler in the playoffs? Buy it… do it. I know that Sheriff is calling to you like the Green Goblin mask was calling to Norman Osborn in Sam Raimi’s hit film Spider-Man. This gun is all about confidence. So, use it confidently. But also, to make sure you strafe in-between shots, since you have to reset and hold still for another accurate shot. If you do not reset the Sheriff will kill you with its max bullet spread being at 2.75 while standing. This gun is not forgiving. Don’t be a sitting duck, move, hold still, fire.

SMGs

Stinger

Remember that the Stinger has a very small magazine size of 20 rounds. It fires at 16 rounds per second as well too. I find myself “Call of Duty reloading” with this weapon since every bullet is precious. (Call of Duty reloading is the act of reloading a weapon every time you shoot it no matter how many bullets are left in your magazine). Make sure your magazine is full before heading into a fight as it takes 7 entire body shots to kill an enemy with full shields.

Spectre

Spectre is great for running and gunning. This submachine gun is a ridiculously forgiving weapon. With a movement penalty of just 1 while walking and 2.5 while running, you’re sure to hit your opponent. In comparison the Phantom’s movement penalty of 2.0 while walking and 5.0 while running pales in comparison. If they’re close, don’t be afraid to shoot while moving to a safer position. The silencer will also help cover your tracks.

Shotguns

Bucky

I’m going to keep it a buck(y) with you, the Bucky is not a great gun. But it can kill more than just your enemy. It can kill their spirit too. This 850-credit morale killer can be reloaded in between shots to keep constant pressure on the opposition.

Judge

The Judge is most effective when used in a scenario where you are awaiting contact on your teammate. You can bait your teammate (please discuss this prior to baiting your teammate, I am sure they will understand) so that they draw the attention towards them, so you can be ready to hit the opposition with a BOOM BOOM BOOM at a site’s chokepoint. Having all the attention on you while you’re holding a Judge will just result in death or a serious injury. The Judge relies on the element of surprise.

Rifles

Bulldog

The best round for a Bulldog to thrive in is in the 2nd round after you’ve just won pistols. Committing to a superior weapon that round while the opposition is saving allows for a better fight with the enemy’s rifles in the 3rd round. Other use cases for a Bulldog is on a half-buy to save money for the next round. It is in a weird spot where there are definitely better options (Sheriffs or SMG’s) but in the right hands on the right map, it is still effective.

Guardian

ADS (Aim Down Sights) with the Guardian and utilize its range whenever possible. You bought this gun because you think you’re him. You can flick and track any head in the game. Get those headshots, don’t worry about ADS slowing your fire rate down. Get that kill off the first shot. It’s a pricey half-buy gun and you’re confident, so put yourself in the best situation possible with your positioning.

Phantom

Like the Spectre and Ghost, the Phantom has a silencer. Spray whenever possible. It has a tight bullet spread at 0.90 when standing and 0.76 when crouched. This is why spray transfers are a lot easier with the Phantom than the Vandal. Use this in conjunction with smokes to get those “lucky” kills. Chip damage is also good damage and can be the difference in a clutch situation.

Vandal

Unlike the more accurate Phantom, the Vandal has a slower fire rate and is less accurate when spraying. So instead of spraying, you should burst fire with the Vandal. If you hold left click, you’re doing yourself a disservice and you might embarrass yourself in front of all the cool kids in your lobby. Shoot 1-3 bullets and reposition if you can’t get the kill. It’s okay to run and it's less embarrassing than trying to spray down your opposition while missing every shot.

Machine Guns

Ares

SPRAY. Spray with the Ares. It is the only gun in the game that gets more accurate the longer you spray. Even if you’re the most accurate shooter in the lobby, if you have an Ares in your hand, you must spray. Spray transferring is easy with this thing since you’ll already be at its max accuracy.

Odin

Always ADS with the Odin. Unlike rifles slowing down your fire rate when you ADS, the Odin maxes out your fire rate instantaneously upon aiming down your sight. There is no reason not to ADS with this gun.

Sniper Rifles

Marshal

Do not be afraid to pretend that the Marshal doesn’t come with a scope. It is a cheaper, jankier Guardian. Not scoped, the Marshal has a 1st Shot Spread of 1.0 while standing and 0.90 when crouched. It is fairly accurate compared to the 2nd shot of a Guardian, which has a spread of 1.58 when standing and 1.24 when crouched (The first shot of the Guardian is virtually accurate just like the first shot scoped with the Marshal is actually accurate. It has to be compared to the Guardian’s 2nd shot because it is the closest thing to an alternate fire mode).

Operator

Make sure you actually use the thing. You paid 4,700 credits, shoot it. Too many times have I seen its expensive price tag elicit “safe play” so that the buyer doesn’t lose it. It takes the player and the powerful weapon out of the round giving their team a disadvantage. If you buy it, use it and if you die, you die. Make sure to have some positive impact in the game even if you can’t land the shots.

Bonus

Melee

The most efficient way to dispatch an enemy using a knife is a Left-click, Left-click, Right-click combination. If you can’t right-click them in the head. Left, Left, Right is the way to go.

Conclusion

Each gun has its place in the game. In the right situation, on the right map, in the right hands, every gun can be effective as the next. Knowing their quirks, the amount of damage they deal, and how fast they can kill an enemy is important when making your decision on what to buy. Don’t buy a Vandal just because they told you to. Buy what works for you.