Valorant Best Sidearms - Which Sidearm is the Best?

Updated:

17 Nov 2020

5. Sheriff (Best for eco-rounds)

The Sheriff is by no means a weak gun. It can be an inefficient one, though, where the risk in taking this gun doesn’t always outweigh the cost of running this pistol. This is mainly due to its high skill cap, and while it is a great gun for eco-rounds, it’s not an ideal option for a pistol round.

Sheriff Review

Headshot damage worth the same or more than the Phantom and Vandal
Very tough pistol to use; precise aim is a must with this gun
Good for eco-rounds, but not ideal for pistol rounds

Sheriff Details

Damage (0 - 30 m, 30 - 50 m)
Body - 55, 50
Head - 160, 145
Legs - 47, 43
Wall Penetration: High

Sheriff Rating: 7/10

4. Frenzy (Best for close to medium-range pistol fights)

This is a better buy, as its cost is half that of the Sheriff’s, allowing you to run a light shield. Its damage isn’t anything to scoff at and it is the only full-automatic pistol in Valorant, which is a nice plus. Its spray does tend to get a bit erratic, so running this gun for close to medium-range fights will maximize the Frenzy’s value.

Frenzy Review

Full-automatic pistol with a fire-rate of 10 rounds/sec
Relatively cheap price of 400 creds
Is a decent replacement for the Shorty when holding tight angles

Frenzy Details

Damage (0 - 20 m, 20 - 50 m)
Body - 26, 21
Head - 78, 63
Legs - 22, 17
Wall Penetration: Low

Frenzy Rating: 8/10

3. Shorty (Best for any pistol round)

The Shorty is a great pistol for its sheer ease of use. It is almost guaranteed to get you a kill for each round you use it, as its high burst damage at close proximity remains a potent weapon. The Shorty is best used on Defense where you can hold tight angles at entry points to a site.

Shorty Review

Cheapest purchasable weapon in the game with 200 creds
Excels at quick, one-on-one gunfights, but suffers in prolonged trades
Great pistol to buy when playing Defense

Shorty Details

Damage (0 - 9 m, 9 - 15 m)
Body - 12, 8
Head - 36, 24
Legs - 10, 6
Wall Penetration: Low

Shorty Rating: 9/10

2. Ghost (Preference)

This gun comes in at a close second to the Classic. Its capabilities to take fights at any range make this pistol excel in almost any situation, and its high damage is a great bonus. It is cheaper than the Sheriff, coming in at 500 creds, but running this gun during a pistol round most likely means you aren’t running armor.

Ghost Review

Excels at any range
Powerful weapon with high damage
Very smooth and easy pistol to use

Ghost Details

Damage (0 - 30 m, 30 - 50 m)
Body - 30, 25
Head - 105, 88
Legs - 26, 21
Wall Penetration: Medium

Ghost Rating: 9/10

1. Classic (Best for any pistol round)

Coming in to take the spot of the best sidearm in Valorant, the Classic is a powerful weapon with its 3-round right-click burst. The other amazing thing about this pistol is that it’s free, meaning you will always have money to run a shield. Like the Ghost, the Classic can operate in many different situations and its versatility surpasses the Ghost with its shotgun-esque right-click.

Classic Review

Comes at a cost of zero creds
The 3-round right-click burst acts slightly like a shotgun and retains accuracy even while moving
Able to operate well in almost any given situation

Classic Details