Riot Games Improves Semi-Automatic Guardian Rifle in VALORANT Patch
Riot Games has released the latest patch notes for VALORANT, which includes several changes to improve gameplay. One of the notable changes is the buffs given to the semi-automatic Guardian rifle.
The Guardian rifle has often been seen as inferior to other semi-automatic rifles like the Phantom and Vandal. Despite being a few hundred credits cheaper, players found the gun to be underwhelming.
In response, Riot Games has made adjustments to the Guardian rifle. Not only has the price of the gun been reduced, but its rate of fire and weapon recovery have also been improved.
- Price reduced to 2,400 from 2,500
- Rate of fire improved to 5.25 rounds per second, up from 4.75
- Weapon recovery improved to .2925 after three bullets, up from .35
Riot Games clarified that these changes are not intended to make the Guardian rifle outshine more expensive guns like the Phantom or Vandal. The goal is to make players feel more inclined to purchase the Guardian in rounds where they don’t have enough credits for the higher-tier rifles.
“We don’t think the Guardian can (or should) compete directly with the Phantom or Vandal,” the notes state. “But we’d like it to have a place where players can feel good opting into the gun at the new price, is a competitive purchase in certain economic circumstances or map scenarios, and isn’t as punishing when an enemy gets close!”
In addition to the changes to the Guardian rifle, Patch 1.08 also includes a nerf to Raze’s Blast Pack, adjustments to map rotation, bug fixes, and quality of life improvements for VALORANT players.
Riot Games, VALORANT, patch notes, semi-automatic Guardian rifle, buffs, price reduction, rate of fire, weapon recovery, gameplay, Phantom, Vandal, competitive purchase, economic circumstances, map scenarios, Raze’s Blast Pack, map rotation, bug fixes, quality of life improvements.