The Valorant community often debates: Phantom or Vandal - which weapon to choose? So, we've prepared this article to help you better understand this dilemma. By reading this material, you'll improve your knowledge of the differences between Phantom and Vandal, learn about the features of each automatic rifle, and in which situations each is stronger. This information will help you make your own choice about which weapon is better.

Phantom and Vandal are the two primary rifles that are popular among players during buy rounds. However, not all players, especially beginners, understand the difference between them, leading to mistakes in choosing the wrong weapon in certain situations or one that doesn't match their individual playstyle. This prevents them from showcasing their full potential during matches. However, by reading this material, you will not only learn about each weapon's features but also understand which is better in certain situations and their advantages.

Vandal

According to official statistics from Riot Games, which account for the professional scene and ranked mode, Vandal is significantly more popular than Phantom. On average, there are three Vandals for every Phantom. This likely stems from one of its most valuable features - the ability to kill with one shot to the head from any distance.

Therefore, most players choose this weapon to showcase better individual kill statistics. However, this is just one indicator where Vandal surpasses Phantom. In all other aspects, Phantom proves to be better.

Features of Vandal

• One-shot kill to the head from any distance.
• Alternate fire that can be used by pressing RMB.
• Damage does not decrease depending on the distance between you and the enemy.
• Same price as Phantom.

Phantom

Phantom reigns supreme at close range, as its fire rate is significantly higher than its main competitor by 1 whole and 25 hundredths bullets. It also has a magazine that's five bullets larger. Together, this makes it a powerful weapon at close range.

Its damage indicators up to 15 meters are only a few units lower than Vandal's, which is not critical at close range, as it's enough to land one bullet to the head or four to the body for a successful kill. However, beyond this distance, killing with the first shot to the head is not possible.

Features of Phantom

• Higher fire rate than Vandal.
• The presence of a silencer, not only reduces shooting sounds but also removes the visibility of bullet tracers.
• Thirty bullets in the magazine.
• Same price as Vandal.
• Lower recoil.

For which type of players

Considering which type of players each weapon is better suited for, several factors such as "one-tap" or "spraying," your preferred playstyle, and whether you're more aggressive and seek to engage in firefights in every situation should be considered. After pondering this, you will come to the answer yourself, but we will express our opinion to facilitate your choice.

For aggressive players confident in their shooting, especially in aiming for headshots, Vandal is the objective choice. Its damage does not change depending on distance, making it powerful enough, with high shooting skills, to neutralize any enemy at any distance.

As for Phantom, this weapon is suitable for fans of calm gameplay, as well as for those players who sometimes feel unsure during shooting. This particularly applies to those who have had previous failures or are playing with poor team partners. One of Phantom's advantages is its effectiveness at close distances and high fire rate, allowing it to outperform Vandal in close combat.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Vandal's strengths lie in its effectiveness at medium and long distances compared to Phantom. Its damage does not depend on the distance between you and the enemy, making it a very powerful weapon at any range. As most firefights occur at medium range, Vandal enjoys great popularity among players. This is especially important considering that it is at this distance that the most intense battles usually unfold. Even though Vandal has a heavier recoil and fewer bullets in the magazine, its power and effectiveness at medium range often outweigh these disadvantages.

In contrast, Phantom's strong suit is close range, up to 15 meters, as beyond this limit, damage decreases with distance. However, up to 15 meters, it is unparalleled in Valorant. The presence of a silencer adds additional variations for actions, as it hides shooting traces, allowing you to calmly shoot through smokes without worrying about receiving a bullet in return. The main disadvantage is the drop in damage after 15 meters and beyond, preventing a one-shot head kill, especially if the enemy has heavy armour.

Conclusion

Choosing the best weapon is a subjective matter, as it depends on your playstyle and preferences. However, our conclusion is that it's wise to utilize both weapons depending on the situation on the map and in the game overall. Being proficient with both Phantom and Vandal makes you a more experienced and adaptable player. Good luck on the battlefield and more headshots!