Welcome to the Valorant Pistol Guide.
Valorant is a first-person shooter with a wide range of weapons to choose from.
Pistols are a class of weapons in Valorant, they are often referred to as “sidearms” or “secondary weapons”
Valorant currently has five different pistols, and each of the pistols is unique in its own way.
If you are willing to learn more about the Pistols in Valorant, then keep reading
Valorant Pistol Guide
Pistols are sidearms in Valorant and take up your secondary weapons slot. You can always carry a pistol while also having a primary weapon like a rifle or an SMG.

There are five different pistols in Valorant:
Classic
The Classic is the default and a free pistol in Valorant. Every player will receive this pistol upon spawning.
In pistol rounds, the classic is a good choice of weapon if you want to purchase light armour and a couple of abilities.
The Classic is a decent weapon at close to medium ranges. Alt firing with classic will fire multiple bullets at the same time. This firing mode is extremely deadly at close range.
During pistol rounds, if you are a support agent, it is better to invest your credits into abilities and light armour. You can always pick up someone else’s pistol from the ground.
Shorty
The Shorty is the cheapest weapon to purchase in Valorant. It costs only 150 credits. This sidearm is a shotgun that is effective only at close ranges.
You can purchase a shorty during defense and hide in the smoke to catch your enemies off-guard.
This weapon is only effective at close range. It is almost useless at medium to long range. So make sure to also carry a classic when buying a shorty.
To carry two weapons during a pistol round, buy a shorty and drop it during the buying phase.
You will now have a classic in your hand, and you can swap between the pistols by picking them off the ground.
Frenzy
The Frenzy is a full auto pistol available for 450 credits. This pistol is extremely effective at close range and proves deadly in the hands of a duelist.
During pistol rounds, buying a frenzy also allows you to buy a couple of abilities.
Frenzy is suitable for the attacking phase and is extremely effective on Reyna.
Its high rate of fire with a small magazine means it will run out of bullets quickly.
Ghost
The Ghost is one of the most used pistols in Valorant. This is a semi-automatic pistol available to buy for 500 credits.
In pistol rounds, the ghost has the ability to one-tap to the head against no armour. A combination of strafe-shooting and precise aiming with the ghost will easily win you the rounds.
The Ghost is effective at all ranges and requires you to have really good aim. Spamming with the Ghost is not recommended at all. Always strafe-shoot and tap with this pistol.
Buying a ghost and a couple of abilities is the most common way to play the pistol round.
Sheriff
The Sheriff is a semi-automatic revolver available for purchase for 800 credits.
Buying this weapon in a pistol round means you won’t have any credits left for armour or abilities. This pistol is suitable for agents who do not have to rely much on their abilities.
Agents like Jett and Sova are most often seen buying a Sheriff in the pistol round, as their signature abilities are impactful enough that they don’t need to invest their credits in any other abilities.
The sheriff is really effective in the hands of a good aimer. It can one-tap to the head at close to medium ranges.
Conclusion
- Classic is a free pistol, allowing you to invest in armour and abilities. Suitable for support-type agents
- Shorty is a low-risk high reward weapon. Buy a shorty when you are expecting the enemies to push your spot. Always make sure to also carry the classic with a shorty
- Frenzy is suitable on the attacking side and while playing a duelist. Reyna is the most suitable agent to buy Frenzy.
- Ghost and Sheriff are really good for long engagements, and they require you to have good aim.
- Always make sure to strafe-shoot while using the ghost of the sheriff.
Read our guide on Tips to get better at Aiming.
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