With Patch 12.0’s release in Season 2026, Riot Games introduced the Bandit, a brand-new precision sidearm that fills a long-standing gap between the Ghost and the Sheriff. For years, players have faced a binary choice on light buy rounds — the spam-friendly Ghost or the high-risk, high-reward Sheriff. The Bandit now steps into that middle ground, promising precision, versatility, and strategic depth for players who want more than the old options offered.
This definitive guide breaks down every confirmed statistic, compares it head-to-head with its rivals, explores strategic uses, and explains how the Bandit can elevate your ranked play this season.
Chapter 1: By the Numbers — The Bandit’s Complete Statistical Profile
To master any weapon, you need to know its numbers — and Riot has given us plenty to work with for the Bandit.
Official Bandit Weapon Stats
According to VALORANT’s official Wardrobe and fandom documentation:
General Specs
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Weapon Type: Sidearm
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Cost: 600 credits
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Magazine: 8 rounds
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Ammo Reserve: 24 (3 magazines)
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Fire Mode: Semi-automatic
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Fire Rate: 5.1 rounds/sec
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Equip Speed: 0.75 sec (normal)
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Reload Speed: 1.5 sec
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Wall Penetration: Medium
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Run Speed: 5.4 m/sec
Damage by Distance
| Range | Head | Body | Legs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–10 m | 152 | 39 | 33 |
| 10–30 m | 128 | 39 | 33 |
| 30–50 m | 112 | 34 | 28 |
| (The Bandit can one-shot headshot light armour at all ranges and still remains potent through medium penetration surfaces.) |
Damage Multipliers
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Headshot Multiplier: x3.9 (0–10m), x3.3 (>10m)
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Leg Shot Multiplier: x0.85
This stat profile tells us exactly how Riot intends the Bandit to function: a precision sidearm optimized for headshots and punishing enemy positioning mistakes. Its higher damage and medium penetration give it unique tactical potential during eco or bonus rounds.
Chapter 2: Strategic Mastery – When to Buy and How to Win
Owning a Bandit is one thing — using it effectively is another. Its strategic value varies by economy, map, and player role.
The Three Ideal Buy Scenarios
1. Pistol Round + Heavy Utility
After winning the opening pistol round, buying the Bandit alongside heavy armour and full abilities gives you maximum flexibility. You can dominate early fights without sacrificing utility.
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Equips quickly for swift peeks or sudden engagements
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Medium penetration punishes common wall angles where the Ghost lacks power
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Great for site holding and retakes
2. Force Buy With Utility Priority
When your team needs crucial utility (like Sova’s recon or Skye’s flashes), the Bandit allows you to still contend in gunfights without mortgaging your abilities.
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More gunplay potential than Frenzy or Classic
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Keeps you competitive without sacrificing critical utility
3. Aggressive Save Play
On rounds where you’re saving credits for a rifle next round, the Bandit is a strong choice for aggressive positioning.
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Use it from off-angles to catch enemies rotating
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One-taps eliminate light armour threats
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Your accuracy will often outweigh enemy relief purchases
In these scenarios, the Bandit isn’t just a pistol — it’s a tactical buy that shapes engagements.
Chapter 3: The Ultimate Comparison – Bandit vs Ghost vs Sheriff
To choose the Bandit wisely, you must understand what you gain and lose compared to older choices.
Choose the BANDIT when:
✅ You have enough for abilities + armour and want gunplay pressure
✅ You want precise, headshot-rewarding firepower
✅ You aim to punish enemies hiding behind thin walls
Choose the GHOST when:
🟡 You need maximum magazine capacity
🟡 You plan to spam through smokes and extended engagements
🟡 You prioritize mobility and economy over lethality
Choose the SHERIFF when:
🔴 You want raw damage for body shots and long-range picks
🔴 You trust your aim for high-value clutch scenarios
🔴 You don’t need utility that round
In essence:
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The Ghost is spam and flexibility
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The Bandit is precision kills and eco tactics
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The Sheriff is high-damage commitment
This makes the Bandit distinct from both, filling a strategic gap that was previously underserved.
Chapter 4: Advanced Synergies and Early Meta Predictions
The Bandit’s introduction will subtly reshape round decisions and agent preferences.
Agent Synergies
Certain agents or playstyles mesh especially well with the Bandit’s strengths:
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Controllers (Omen, Brimstone): Smokes allow Bandit users to isolate headshot duels
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Initiators (Sova, Fade): Tagging enemies makes Bandit headshots easier
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Mobility Duelists (Jett, Raze): Quick repositioning maximizes precision potential
Meta Impact Predictions
Expect the Bandit to:
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Increase half-buy viability on many maps
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Shift some pistol rounds toward finish-fight prioritization
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Reduce blanket Sheriff purchases when utility is more valuable
Teams may adopt tactical play-calling around Bandit buys, especially in ranked, where economy management can define success.
Conclusion: Is the Bandit Worth Your Credits?
Absolutely — but only when you understand its niche.
The Bandit doesn’t replace the Ghost or Sheriff — it carves out a unique tactical role that rewards:
🎯 Precision aiming
📈 Strategic economy choices
🧠 Smart positioning and map awareness
It adds depth to eco rounds and forces you to think beyond old buy patterns. With practice on its recoil, prize positioning, and optimal engagement distances, the Bandit can steal not just rounds — but entire ranked climbs.
The Bandit isn’t merely a new pistol — it’s a new economic strategy for Season 2026 and beyond. Master it, and the game opens up in previously unseen ways.
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