LOADING VALMAUK
One one-taps at any range. The other sprays through smoke and never gives your spot away. Here is when to hold which.
By Mauk HK
Both rifles cost 2900 credits and both will win you rounds. They just win different rounds. The decision comes down to your aim, your map, and what you are trying to do that round.
The Vandal deals 156 damage on a headshot at any distance, a guaranteed one-tap kill, no matter how far. There is no damage falloff. If you are confident your first bullet finds the head, nothing else compares on long maps like Breeze or Icebox.
Vandal headshot = 156 dmg at ALL ranges. One tap, always, if you can hit it.
Vandal
156 dmg headshot at any range - browse every Vandal skin
RifleThe Phantom fires faster, has a tighter spray pattern, carries more bullets that suppress, and, crucially, is silenced. Enemies cannot trace your shots by sound as easily, and it shreds through smokes. Inside 15 metres it out-duels the Vandal more often than people admit.
"On close maps I take the Phantom every time. The spray transfer between two enemies wins more fights than a hero one-tap I might whiff.
Phantom
Silenced, tighter spray, more bullets - browse every Phantom skin
RifleThere is no wrong answer. Both are S-tier. Pick the one that matches how you actually win fights, not the one your favourite streamer holds.