The Phantom and the Vandal are two of, if not, the most popular weapons in VALORANT. Reliable rifles with a relatively standard price point, the Phantom and Vandal are two trademark weapons every VALORANT player should know how to use.

While they both have their uses — and are certainly similar to a degree — the several differences that they each sport that have sparked an endless debate within the VALORANT community since the game launched last April. Here’s everything you need to know about the Phantom and Vandal — in addition to which weapon you should be using in your climb up the VALORANT ladder.

The Phantom

As a reliable choice from close range and mid-level distances, the Phantom is an easy-to-control rifle that promotes a reliable spray pattern. If you find yourself unloading its clip into several enemies, you’ll have an easier time controlling where your shots land than you would if you were using another weapon such as the Vandal or Odin, for example.

Perhaps the biggest advantage that the Phantom brings to the table is the fact that it’s much easier to control at long range than other weapons. While you might not deal as much damage with the Phantom from far distances — considering the Phantom’s shots fall off in effectiveness the further from your target that you are — you’ll still have an easier time controlling your spray pattern, giving you the advantage in prolonged gunfights.

Of course, the Phantom’s damage falls off the further away you are from your target, so if you notice that you’re effectively landing your shots, but just not doing enough damage, you might want to switch to the Vandal.

Pros

• Extremely strong at close and medium range
• Easy to control spray pattern
• Fire is quieter and suppressed
• Easy to manage spray transfer

Cons

• Reduced damage at long range
• Harder to land shots at a distance

The Vandal

If you’re the type of player who fires in quick bursts of two or three, the Vandal is the perfect weapon for you. Also, if you happen to prefer to one-tap your enemies and only fire one reliable shot at a time, the Vandal is extremely strong for that kind of playstyle.

The Vandal is extremely deadly at long range, however, it definitely loses a lot of value when it comes to spraying and prolonged bursting. If you’re the type of player who needs to empty their whole clip into an opponent in order to secure a kill, the Vandal is not the way to go. This weapon promotes a playstyle that relies on tapping and burst fire, as its spray pattern is extremely tough to control, especially at long range.

Aiming down your sights with the Vandal definitely does help to a certain degree, but if you really want to find success with the weapon, you’ll need to have a near-perfect response rate when moving your crosshair over an opponent’s head. Reflexes are everything with the Vandal, as the ability to one-tap kill from any range can’t be found on any other rifle in the game, so you need to be making the most of the opportunity each time an enemy comes your way.

Pros

• Extremely effective at long range
• Consistent damage at all ranges
• Headshots are instant kills no matter what
• Precise one-tapping abilities
• Can be used for a one-shot kill at long range

Cons

• Slower rate of fire than Phantom
• Spray pattern is harder to control
• Less rounds contained in weapon
• Difficult to make precise shots when spraying

Takeaways — Which to Choose?

Ultimately, the choice between the Phantom and the Vandal comes down to personal preference. Try to spend as much time as possible with both weapons, as you might find that one of them fits your playstyle more so than the other. Plus, the more experience you have with them, the more ready you’ll be to adapt on the fly in case you need to use one over the other in a given situation. Plus, if you pick up a rifle on the ground during a save round, you don’t want to be handicapped because you’re unfamiliar with it.

Players should be able to know how to use both weapons effectively, though, just in case you notice a certain change in an opponent’s playstyle. For example, if you notice that the enemy team likes to play back and engage from a distance during a certain game, a long-range weapon like the Vandal would be better suited for that situation. If you know you’re a player who is really good at landing headshots no matter the situation, try to focus on using the Vandal, considering it will give you the most value when attempting headshots at any range.

If you prefer to play at close and medium ranges, the Phantom is going to be the most ideal rifle for you to pick up, as it excels in situations where you’re, at most, going to be positioned 20 to 30 meters away from your target. If you find yourself peeking a corner, only to be intercepted by an enemy player waiting for you, the Phantom can make quick work of them, especially if they’re holding the angle at close range.

If you aren’t confident in your ability to one-tap players and would rather go for an approach that relies on spray control, the Phantom is definitely for you. However, don’t let that lead you to believe that you can’t deal a one-tap kill with the Phantom. At close ranges, the weapon can still deal enough damage for a one-shot kill if your crosshair is placed over an enemy’s head.

And really, that’s the biggest lesson you’ll find when experimenting with both weapons. In order to succeed in VALORANT, it’s not a matter of “playing what’s strong”, it’s a matter of playing what’s strongest in your hands. Get comfortable with both the Phantom and the Vandal, see which one fits your playstyle the best, and make your decision based on your prior experiences. If you find that you might ever feel the need to switch between the two, there’s no shame in that either.