Judging the Power of the VALORANT Judge Shotgun: Should it be Nerfed?
Judging a person in real life may not be ideal, but in VALORANT, judging the power of the Judge shotgun is a powerful tool. Priced at just 1,850 credits, this automatic shotgun can be deadly in close-ranged duels in the right hands. However, recently it has faced criticism for being overpowered, and players are calling for a nerf.
A Reddit post on Oct. 18 by u/nipperkinmullins sheds light on the hate towards the Judge, explaining how the weapon requires skill and tactical decisions. The Judge is a ranged weapon in VALORANT, but it is most effective up close, and quick movement is crucial when using it.
Players find it frustrating to be killed by the Judge and often do not understand how to counter it, leading them to call for a nerf.
Nipperkinmullins aptly compares the Judge to other weapons, stating that the Operator is not called broken when used properly at long ranges. They emphasize that shotguns are supposed to be strong at close range, so the Judge is working as intended.
Many comments under the post support Nipperkinmullins’s view.
One player highlights the tendency of the player base to avoid adapting to trends and instead call for nerfs. They state that the Judge is not broken, but people are simply frustrated when their own strategies fail against it.
Some comments mention that the Judge is incredibly powerful in the hands of a skilled Raze main, but it is mediocre when used by other agents.
While the Judge can be a force to be reckoned with on certain VALORANT maps, such as Bind, Haven, and Split, it is not impossible to counter. A good initiator or sentinel agent can quickly eliminate a shotgun-wielding Raze. Alternatively, players can avoid or be cautious in constricted spaces and focus on long-range fights.
While the Judge may not need a damage or spread nerf, its price of 1,800 credits is surprisingly low. This makes it a tempting choice for force-buy and eco rounds and can easily turn the tide of a round. It should have a higher price similar to the Bulldog at the very least.
With players and streamers voicing their concerns about the weapon, it is likely that Riot Games will consider a nerf in a future update. However, it is important to approach obstacles in VALORANT with a different strategy before blaming the gun for a loss.
Not everything that poses a challenge deserves a nerf.
VALORANT, Judge shotgun, nerf, weapon, Reddit, player base, strategies, counter, Riot Games, update.