VALORANT’s Warden is here to challenge the Phantom and Vandal

Riot Games is spicing up the Phantom vs. Vandal conversation with a third contender. The Warden is VALORANT’s third “main” rifle — here’s everything we know.

Key Takeaways

• The Warden is a 2900 Credit rifle made to challenge the Phantom and the Vandal and offer a unique, long-range power profile.
• It will get added on Sept. 22, 2026 with patch 13.06.
• The Warden has less bullets and a slower fire rate, but offers higher damage and a stronger scope. It shares most other timings with the other two Rifles.

When is the Warden getting added to VALORANT?

The Warden will go live on VALORANT Patch 13.06 on Sept. 22, 2026. This update also introduces the new Gauntlet: Glitched game mode as well as the reworked Agent Mastery progression system.

Warden stats in VALORANT compared to Phantom, Vandal

Riot shared the stats of the Warden. Find it below, along with a side-by-side comparison with the Phantom and Vandal.

While aiming down, fire rate is slowed down to 92% (6 rounds per second).

As you can observe, the Warden lines up a lot of its stats with the Phantom and the Vandal. It has the same price, reload and equip timing, and wall penetration as the other two.

It sets itself apart with a more sharpshooter identity. The stronger magnification on the ADS (aim-down sights), less bullets, and slower fire rate really cement the ideal users of the Warden.

The Warden also encourages ADS way more than the other two.

“We’re always looking for ways to expand how players master mechanical gunplay and strategic planning in the game,” wrote the VALORANT dev team. “And while we love the ongoing Phantom vs. Vandal debate on full buy rounds, we thought there was room to satisfy more playstyles and provide more optionality.”

When should you buy the Warden?

If you’re the type of person to get the Guardian on full-buys, sit on an angle on ADS, and wait for the enemy to walk into your crosshairs, then this one’s for you.

Instead of picking up the Guardian, the Warden offers the same long-range power profile with more potential for damage while providing the same timing comfort of the Phantom and the Vandal.