Masters Toronto reveals a more balanced Phantom vs. Vandal rivalry

There’s an age-old debate in the VALORANT community that won’t be settled until the game’s final round is played: which rifle is better—the Phantom or the Vandal? Both weapons have their own unique strengths and weaknesses, and for the longest time, professional players seemed to lean heavily toward one. But that trend appears to be shifting.

A Look at the Stats: Masters Bangkok

Throughout VALORANT’s history, the meta has largely favored the Vandal in pro play, especially in international tournaments. But a look at the game’s biggest events in 2025 reveals a more balanced landscape emerging. At VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Masters Bangkok 2025 earlier this year, the Vandal was clearly the dominant choice. But by the time VALORANT Champions Tour 2025 - Masters Toronto 2025 rolled around in June, the gap between the two rifles had all but disappeared.

At Masters Bangkok in February, the Vandal was used 3,557 times, leading to 5,097 total kills throughout the tournament. In contrast, the Phantom saw significantly less use, having been used only 2,063 times in comparison. Despite this, the Phantom still racked up an impressive 4,870 kills—only 227 fewer than the Vandal—highlighting its efficiency even when picked far less often.

A Shift at Masters Toronto

Fast forward to Masters Toronto, and the numbers tell a much different story. The Vandal was picked 3,914 times over the event, while the Phantom was picked by pros 3,837 times—nearly even. But perhaps the most telling statistic was the kill count: the Phantom outperformed the Vandal by 103 kills over the course of the event.

This shift in preference could be attributed to several key strengths that make the Phantom a more reliable weapon in certain scenarios. Many players find the Phantom easier to control due to its smoother recoil pattern. The lack of visible bullet tracers—especially when firing through smokes—gives players a tactical edge in chaotic situations, and was a notable factor in countless gunfights during Masters Toronto. Its higher fire rate, larger magazine, and superior first-shot accuracy also make it a deadly choice in the hands of mechanically gifted players.

Why it’s okay to stick with the Vandal

On the other hand, the Vandal continues to shine in long-range duels, where its one-tap headshot potential doesn’t suffer from damage falloff. For example, the Vandal remains a clear favorite on certain maps like Haven, Icebox, and Pearl—where longer sightlines are more common and players rely on its consistent one-shot headshot potential at any range. The ability to deal 160 damage with a single bullet, regardless of distance, makes it the preferred rifle for holding these angles.

In the end, the choice between Phantom and Vandal often comes down to personal preference, team composition, and map-specific dynamics. But if recent trends continue, we could be witnessing a more permanent evolution in weapon selection at the highest levels of VALORANT.

For many, all it takes is a single Phantom headshot that doesn’t kill at 20 meters or more for them to switch back to the Vandal.