Valorant’s lone semi-automatic rifle is the Guardian, and it’s a weapon of choice for those who boast exceptional aiming skills. This rifle can help you dominate your opponents if you’re among the sharpshooters. Let’s delve into strategies for maximizing its potential.
Distinguishing itself from other rifles, the Guardian operates semi-automatic, deviating from the full-auto norm. While this might appear a significant limitation, it compensates for it by delivering substantial damage with each shot.
Overview Guardian
Recently, the Guardian has been gradually climbing the ranks in Valorant due to its reasonable cost, remarkable firepower when wielded skillfully, and some beneficial enhancements. Let’s explore how to make the most of the Guardian when acquiring one in your Valorant gameplay.
The Guardian is often compared to the Sheriff by many players due to their similar playstyles and versatile applications. Both weapons offer the ability to secure one-tap kills and feature a deliberate and controlled rate of fire. As a result, I refer to the Guardian as the rifle counterpart to the Sheriff.
Priced at 2,050 credits, the Guardian is not a budget-friendly option, costing only 200 credits more than the Bulldog but still significantly cheaper than the Phantom or the Vandal by 650 credits. This positioning makes it a strong choice for force-buy rounds or when your team’s economy runs a bit low during buy rounds.
However, the Guardian’s effectiveness could be improved by its slow rate of fire, and it could be better suited for spamming shots through smoke due to its relatively small magazine capacity. Consequently, it’s considered a specialized weapon that requires a certain level of expertise to excel.
Regarding basic statistics, the Guardian boasts a headshot multiplier of x3 and a leg shot multiplier of x0.75. Notably, it doesn’t suffer from damage drop-off, meaning it deals consistent damage across all ranges. Furthermore, it delivers the highest damage per bullet among all rifles. Its fire rate stands at 5.25 rounds per second, with a reload time of 2.5 seconds and a magazine size of 12 rounds, complemented by 36 rounds in reserve.
To outline the fundamental damage figures for the Guardian:
- 0 to 50 meters – Headshot (195)
- 0 to 50 meters – Body (65)
- 0 to 50 meters – Legs (49)
Key Takeaways:
- Pricing for The Guardian stands at 2,250 credits.
- This rifle boasts a primary and alt-fire mode, each firing at 5.25 rounds per second.
- Regarding damage, The Guardian consistently inflicts 49 damage to the legs, 65 damage to the body, and a formidable 195 damage to the head, irrespective of the target’s distance.
Optimal Ways to Utilize the Guardian Rifle
To maximize the effectiveness of the Guardian rifle, it’s best suited for engaging targets at extended distances. Its 1.5x zoom capability proves invaluable, and the absence of a damage falloff multiplier further adds to its strengths.
When wielding the Guardian, adopt a deliberate and systematic approach, focusing on precise and well-controlled shots. Remember that a single headshot is all it takes to eliminate your opponent, so accuracy is paramount. Spamming your shots will not aid your accuracy; therefore, investing time is essential to ensure each shot counts.
Understanding the Guardian’s Recoil Behavior
Regarding recoil patterns, the Guardian behaves differently due to its semi-automatic nature. As such, it’s relatively easier to manage compared to other firearms.
If you engage in rapid-fire, you’ll need to compensate by either slowing down your rate of fire or controlling the recoil by pulling your aim downwards. The initial four shots maintain a relatively straight trajectory, but after that, the weapon becomes increasingly erratic. Therefore, employing the Guardian in short bursts is advisable to maintain accuracy unless the enemy is nearby.
Capitalizing on Precision with the Guardian’s One-Tap Potential
Valorant’s Guardian shines when it comes to rewarding exceptional aim. A single headshot can eliminate your target regardless of the range. Aim for those one-tap headshots to make the most of the Guardian’s capabilities.
Mastering this skill can be pivotal, especially when holding a line with the Guardian at crucial areas like Haven C Long, Ascent’s B Link, or Mid on Split. Securing a headshot with the Guardian can significantly sway the outcome of entire rounds.
Using the Guardian as a Long-Range Sniper
The Guardian isn’t the type of rifle you’d lead a charge with. Instead, it excels at holding angles from a distance and dispatching foes like a sniper. It’s advisable to think of the Guardian less as a typical rifle and more as a sniper rifle.
Due to its semi-automatic nature, the Guardian’s rate of fire, no matter how fast you click, falls short of the DPS offered by fully automatic rifles. Moreover, it boasts the one-shot headshot capability or a three-shot body kill, allowing quick triple taps to eliminate opponents.
Furthermore, it features a 1.5x scope, offering better zoom than the 1.2x scopes found on other rifles, enhancing its long-range capabilities. While it may not match the optics of the Operator and Marshal, it can be effectively treated as a budget version of CS: GO’s “Dak Dak.”
Pricing and Strategy with the Guardian Rifle
Priced at 2,400 Credits, the Guardian falls into an intermediate price range. It’s more affordable than the Vandal and Phantom but demands more skill to wield compared to lower-priced SMGs like the Spectre.
If you have confidence in your aiming skills and your team requires a force buy while you can only afford a Guardian and armor, it can be a viable option. However, adopting a more passive playstyle, engaging in long-range battles, is crucial to support your team’s objectives.
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