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Close-quarters combat: Weapon analysis
By Carver FisherAugust 10, 2020
Shotguns and SMGs lie in a bizarre middle group by comparison to other weapons in Valorant. Pistols are distinctly worse than most other weapons but are pretty cheap. Other than pistols, most weapon categories are separated out into economy and premium options. There’s a clear difference between the Marshall and the Operator, for instance. However, the SMG and Shotgun weapon categories stand out because there are not many instances where any Shotgun or SMG would be better than most Rifles. They’re just outright worse most of the time.
That said, there is a time and a place to pick up a Shotgun or SMG. However, due to their close range, playing with these weapons requires a different approach.
Stinger
Pros:
- Highest fire rate in Valorant (when unscoped)
- Very cheap at 1000 Creds
- Close range powerhouse
Cons:
- 20 round magazine
- 3 headshots/6 body shots required to kill a target with heavy armor
- Inaccurate unless scoped, and even then it’s not pinpoint accurate
- Bad for engaging multiple Agents
This little thing packs much more of a punch than you’d think, especially in earlier rounds. The Stinger's not ideal for holding long sightlines, but it’s an entry fragger's dream for tight corridors if you’re on a budget.
This weapon provides the close range prowess shotguns usually offer, but it’s in a more consistent form. A well-placed headshot from a Vandal will still outdo someone spraying with a Stinger, but it has a very close time to kill on body shots with the Vandal. A 6-shot kill sounds like a lot until you realize the Stinger pumps out 18 rounds a second.
However, the Stinger’s biggest shortcomings are its magazine size and poor accuracy. Twenty rounds go quickly when the gun shoots 18 rounds a second, and it’s common to kill one target only to get taken out by someone else. The other downside of this weapon is that it’s nigh impossible to headshot consistently. The best bet is to aim center mass on a target in a fight, making fights less about how good your accuracy is and more about how bad your opponent’s is. These factors make the Stinger a good economy option, but it doesn’t hold up to Rifles that have higher accuracy and damage.
Spectre
Pros:
- Accuracy on-par with most Rifles
- 30 round magazine gives you plenty of ammo to work with
- 13.33 rounds per second - slower than the Stinger, but more than any auto rifle
Cons:
- 7 body shot/3 headshot kill on heavy armor beyond 20 meters
- 1600 Creds makes this the not-so-economy economy buy
The Spectre is the most deceptively ineffective weapon in Valorant because of how good it feels to use. The accuracy and fire rate feels comparable to most Rifles, if not a little better. However, problems arise when trying to outgun players who’ve got Vandals and know their crosshair placement. It’s so easy to get into a cycle of getting headshot by a Vandal/Phantom, losing your Spectre, buying Heavy Armor and a Spectre again, dying, and then buying the same 2600 Cred loadout without ever generating enough Creds to get anything better.
For new players, this weapon single-handedly sinks economic efficiency. The Spectre looks like the way to win rounds from behind, when, in reality, the solution is often to take a hard economy round and buy next to nothing in order to level the playing field. While the Spectre is a great option if the rest of your team has Vandals and you can’t afford one, don’t let this weapon deceive you into thinking it’s always a good option.
Bucky
Pros:
- Reliable 1-shot kill up to 12 meters
- Alt-fire makes this the most accurate and consistent Shotgun in Valorant
- 900 Creds makes this one of Valorant’s cheapest non-Sidearm options
Cons:
- Extremely low margin for error— if you miss, you die
- Sweet spot for a 1-shot kill that takes time to learn
- Long-range engagements are impossible
The Bucky’s bread and butter is its alt-fire. When using this weapon, you’re better off unbinding your left-click than using it. The alt-fire tightens the pellet spread, making it an invaluable asset for consistent kills. The Judge and Shorty have severe issues with consistency due to pellet spread, and the Bucky fixes that issue. A sweet spot in the upper chest area guarantees a 1-shot kill, and the feeling of landing that hit is so satisfying knowing full well that a miss would have been a fatal mistake. This weapon is a dopamine machine if you learn how to use it.
That pellet spread can be deceiving, though. This weapon is not good beyond 12 meters. Yes, pellets can hit at longer ranges. However, the damage for this weapon is aggressive. Shots beyond 12 meters hit for 9 damage to the body compared to 17 in the 8-12 meter range. Refrain from using this weapon at range no matter what, even if that means pulling out your Sidearm instead. If there’s someone shooting at you from 15 or more meters out, your best bet is usually to run and reposition.
Judge
Pros:
- Highest capacity Shotgun in Valorant at 7 rounds
- Semi-automatic fire rate makes the Judge forgiving in comparison to other shotguns
Cons:
- Less consistent 1-shot kill than the Bucky due to wider pellet spread
- 1500 Creds only to be weaker than its counterpart
The Judge is a peculiar case. On paper, there are upsides in comparison to the Bucky. However, when it comes to a shotgun, getting the one-shot kill at close range is what matters. Even if the Judge is more forgiving, the nature of its pellet spread makes the weapon significantly less usable. If you want the guaranteed one-shot, buy the Bucky instead. If you want a bit more flexibility at close range, buy the Stinger. The Judge doesn’t have anything it does uniquely well, and that makes this weapon obsolete in most instances.
However, the Judge is great for new players trying to be aggressive. The Bucky is harder to use, so the flexibility of this weapon can be a great tool for players that aren’t confident in their own mechanics yet. This weapon’s saving grace is in its ability to kill multiple targets, but it’s rare that you’ll get close enough to that many targets to take all of them out before they turn on you. In the very rare instances that you flank an entire team, you’ve won the lottery with this weapon. However, it’s hard to recommend a weapon based on how good it is if you aren’t confident, or that it’s better than the Bucky in a select few situations.
Which Weapon Should You Buy?
These close quarters weapons come with a lot of personal preference. In the somewhat rare instance that purchasing one of these weapons is the best option, all four require the player to play a patient game.
I like the Bucky’s reliable one-shot kill at range combined with its low price makes it my go-to if I’m down on Creds. Most of these weapons are meant to be swapped out ASAP for a Vandal or something of the like, so being able to get that clean kill with the Bucky just feels nice. Both SMGs are good, but the Spectre has a slight edge due to its accuracy and range. It’s also worth mentioning that the Sheriff is a great economy option for any player confident in their accuracy, and is a worthy addition to any frugal player’s arsenal. You can check out our article on all of Valorant’s Sidearms here.
Using all four of these weapons requires a different playstyle. Rifles are better than these weapons in most instances, but there are ways to give yourself the best chance of being in a favorable position. Want to know how to use these weapons? Check out our tips!
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