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VALORANT’s first new weapon, the Outlaw. Here is everything we know
Fast-growing and wildly popular, Valorant has swiftly become one of Riot Games’ most productive IPs and one of the largest FPS titles in the world.
Over the span of its 3-year lifespan, the game has seen numerous changes; from agent balances and tweaks, to complete reworks of champions and maps, the introduction of over 10 new agents and 6 new maps. For long-time players especially, we have seen it all - until now.
For the first time since officially launching the game, Valorant is introducing its first new weapon - the Outlaw. The arsenal of weapons has always remained a point of stability amidst a sea of changes. While there have been tweaks, it more pertained to costs and in-game performance. No weapon was ever deleted or introduced, until now.
What kind of weapon is the Outlaw?
The Outlaw, as it is so aptly named, is the odd duckling soon-to-be inserted into the family of sniper rifles that already includes the infamous Operator and quick-drawing Marshal.
Meant to serve as the go-between choice for those torn between the cheap but less powerful Marshal and the high-impact Operator that brings an equally high price tag.
The Outlaw, according to leaks and sources, has indicated a double-barrelled silhouette. Those same sources also indicated that the Outlaw will be capable of ‘firing two bullets at once’, as a way of explaining the double barrels. (This last part is pure speculation and is just conjecture.)
When will the Outlaw be released?
Riot Games is reportedly planning to release the new weapon with the release of Episode 8. Episode 8 will commence in January 2024. This release will also coincide with Valorant’s first major update to the Buy Menu.
How much will the Outlaw cost?
According to those same leaks, the Outlaw gun will sit at a price point of 2400 credits, sitting it firmly in the mid-tier price range of weaponry that includes other illustrious lethal hardware.
This puts the Outlaw at just above the Bulldog and Guardian in price - with the former sitting at 2050 credits and the latter at 2250 credits - making it the most expensive mid tier weaponry in the game.
2400 credits also puts it just shy of the Phantom and Vandal, both of which have remained unchanged since initial release at 2900 credits. With only a 500 credit disparity, this new weapon will truly have to bring something remarkable to the table to dissuade players away from their trusty rifles.
What does it mean for the meta?
Every Valorant players favorite question whenever the subject of balance changes come up. In all likelihood, much like the introduction of both Deadlock and Iso, it will not massively impact the popular trend of the game. The vast majority of Valorant players prefer the flexibility of an automatic rifle to a sniper rifle in almost every instance.
The primary selling point of the Marshal was not solely the performance, but also the price point. With a devastating one-shot potential to the head and 101 to the chest, it made for a budget rail gun that - in the right hands - could do some damage with little hurt to the coin purse.
This new sniper rifle demands a larger investment at a price point extremely close to a full buy, meaning in a force-buy round, you would be trading an extra 150-350 credits for less flexibility.
However, for those plucky few that deems it necessary to still have a sniper rifle in those rounds, but failed to save the coin necessary for the more expensive Operator, the Outlaw could be a reasonable alternative (even on those less competitive rounds).
Credit: Valorant // Riot Games
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