The Vandal Continues to Dominate as the Best Rifle in VALORANT
The ongoing debate regarding the best rifle in the hugely popular game VALORANT has taken another turn, with the Vandal emerging as the top favorite. According to data from THESPIKE.gg, the Vandal is the weapon of choice for most players at VCT LOCK//IN, the first international VALORANT event of the year. The Phantom follows closely behind in second place.
Stats Favor the Vandal at VCT LOCK//IN
During VCT LOCK//IN, players purchased the Vandal a total of 2,443 times, while the Phantom had 1,775 purchases. The Sheriff, in third place, lagged far behind with only 516 purchases.
The Phantom’s Strategic Advantage
The Phantom, however, still retains its strategic value. With the recent shift in the professional meta towards a double controller setup on some maps, the Phantom has become increasingly effective. It leaves no tracers in smoke, making it difficult for opponents to spot players using the weapon.
Celebrity Praise for the Phantom
Sentinels star TenZ praised the Phantom after a recent match between LOUD and NRG. Saadhak from LOUD managed to eliminate s0m from the opposing team while defusing the Spike in round 24. Saadhak utilized the Phantom to his advantage by running and shooting through the smoke.
This trend of the Vandal’s dominance is not new. The weapon has consistently been the preferred choice in multiple international tournaments, with significantly higher purchase rates compared to the Phantom.
Vandal Reigns Supreme
At the previous VCT Masters in Copenhagen, Denmark, players started rounds with a Vandal in 41 percent of all matches, while the Phantom accounted for only 17 percent. It was clear that the Vandal was the favored weapon among professional players at the event.
Unless there are substantial changes to the Phantom or Vandal, it is unlikely that the Phantom will dethrone the Vandal as the weapon of choice for professional players. Sorry, Phantom gang.
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