Which is better, Phantom or Vandal? TenZ gives his answer

The ongoing discussion between Phantom and Vandal enthusiasts continues to evolve as professional players provide new technical insights. Sentinels superstar Tyson “TenZ” Ngo has reignited this classic comparison by detailing the Phantom’s mechanical advantages in various combat scenarios.

While TenZ frequently experiments with different mouse sensitivity settings, his commitment to the Phantom has remained unwavering since Valorant’s initial launch. Amid ongoing community discussions about which rifle delivers superior performance, the elite competitor has articulated compelling reasons why he believes the Phantom should be the preferred choice for most players.

Valorant provides players with the flexibility to select rifles that complement their individual gameplay approach. Both Phantom and Vandal require identical credit investments and can deliver game-changing impact when utilized effectively. However, subtle technical distinctions often leave players uncertain about which weapon better suits specific situations. While Vandal demonstrates superior performance on expansive maps featuring long sightlines, Phantom provides enhanced accuracy metrics and increased ammunition capacity. TenZ maintains that Phantom represents the overall superior firearm choice for competitive play.

“I’m completely serious when I assert that the Phantom outperforms the Vandal in most practical scenarios. The Phantom provides: expanded magazine capacity, more manageable recoil patterns, guaranteed one-shot headshot elimination at close quarters, consistent one-hit kills against light armor across virtually all engagement distances. There are numerous technical and tactical reasons why Phantom delivers superior performance,” TenZ explained during his detailed analysis.

Reasons why the phantom is better than the vandal.
1. 1 hit headshot close range, 1 hit headshot if enemy buys light
2. higher dps close/mid range
3. easier to spray transfer than the vandal
4. more forgiving than vandal with missing shots
5. tracers cannot be seen through smokes

— TenZ / Tyson (SEN) (@TenZOfficial) July 31, 2020

Professional competitors particularly value the Phantom’s generous magazine size, which supports sustained spray control rather than precision tapping. However, the weapon may underperform on expansive layouts like Breeze, explaining why this comparison has gained renewed relevance since the introduction of larger-scale maps.

Should you use Vandal or Phantom in Valorant?

The Phantom’s damage profile shows 156 damage for headshots at 0-15 meters, decreasing to 124 at 30+ meters. The Vandal maintains consistent 160 headshot damage regardless of distance, creating distinct engagement advantages.

Phantom may struggle to secure instant headshot eliminations in larger combat zones, and TenZ acknowledges this limitation. The professional athlete conceded that Vandal holds superiority in one-tap elimination potential. This weapon guarantees complete elimination with a single headshot at extended ranges when combined with precise aim. Alternatively, Phantom might create challenging situations if you slightly miss your initial shots, potentially exposing you to counter-attacks.

Despite recognizing Vandal’s one-tap capability, TenZ would still select Phantom even on larger battlefield layouts. This preference makes strategic sense since Phantom delivers 125 damage at 50 meters compared to Vandal’s 150. This damage differential becomes largely irrelevant when opponents purchase reduced armor protection, or when you’re not exclusively attempting long-distance headshot eliminations. Phantom offers exceptional forgiveness characteristics, ensuring simpler spray pattern resets and increased elimination potential across diverse aiming confrontations.

Strategic weapon selection should align with map characteristics and team composition. On close-quarters maps like Bind and Split, Phantom’s rapid fire rate and spray control provide distinct advantages in site executions and post-plant situations.

For expansive environments such as Breeze and Icebox, Vandal’s consistent damage model becomes increasingly valuable. However, Phantom remains viable when employing smoke-based strategies that leverage its invisible tracer characteristic.

Hybrid maps like Ascent and Haven benefit from adaptable loadouts – consider starting with Phantom for initial engagements and switching to Vandal if economic conditions permit.

Master spray transfer techniques with Phantom by practicing target switching during sustained fire. The weapon’s predictable recoil pattern enables effective multi-kill potential when properly controlled.

Avoid overcommitting to spray patterns with Vandal – instead, focus on burst firing or single-tap accuracy at medium to long ranges.

Common error: attempting Phantom headshots at extreme distances where damage falloff prevents one-hit eliminations. Always consider enemy armor status when engaging – Phantom consistently eliminates light armor opponents with single headshots.

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