TL;DR
- The Classic’s burst fire is situationally powerful but balanced by significant range limitations
- Patch 2.0 already addressed accuracy issues, making spam firing less effective
- Different agent types benefit from varied pistol choices based on their role and playstyle
- Nerfing the Classic would reduce strategic diversity in pistol and eco rounds
- Current weapon balance supports multiple viable strategies without any pistol being dominant

Valorant’s default sidearm continues generating heated discussions within the competitive community regarding its perceived power level. Many players argue the weapon provides excessive value for a free option, particularly in opening rounds where economic management is crucial.
Teams prioritizing defensive equipment and tactical abilities frequently select the Classic as their primary first-round weapon. While some competitors sacrifice utility for upgraded firearms, others maximize their strategic options by utilizing the cost-free alternative. The pistol’s alternate fire mode delivers exceptional performance in close-quarters engagements, making it a formidable choice during pistol rounds.
Despite receiving adjustments in update 2.0, numerous players maintain that the Classic remains unbalanced. Its three-shot burst functionality attracts the most criticism, capable of eliminating opponents quickly at short distances. The clustered pellet spread can dispatch unarmored or previously damaged enemies efficiently, establishing it as a legitimate selection for initial encounters.

Does Classic Right-Click Need to Be Nerfed?
While the Classic might appear excessively powerful at first glance, it maintains appropriate equilibrium within Valorant’s current competitive environment. The sidearm’s effectiveness fluctuates based on opponent health points, armor status, and engagement distance.
The weapon demonstrates extreme inconsistency across different combat scenarios. At close range, the burst fire can eliminate enemies in one well-placed shot, but beyond 15 meters, the spread becomes too unpredictable for consistent damage. This creates a high-risk, high-reward dynamic that separates skilled users from those relying on luck.
Update 2.0 modifications substantially improved the pistol’s balance by enhancing firing inaccuracy during movement. Before these changes, the Classic’s alternate fire maintained remarkable precision even when deployed during aerial maneuvers. By widening bullet dispersion with consecutive bursts, Riot Games successfully curtailed the weapon’s spam potential.
Squad compositions currently diversify between utility-armor combinations and Ghost pistol investments. No single approach dominates first-round strategies, as each sidearm fulfills distinct tactical purposes. This variety generates diverse weapon selections, strategic approaches, and ability-focused gameplay during opening rounds.
Agents emphasizing individual dueling prowess like Reyna and Jett frequently purchase the 500-credit Ghost. These characters possess enhanced escape capabilities from dangerous situations while still securing eliminations with the Ghost’s single-headshot potential. Conversely, team-oriented agents such as Killjoy and Cypher typically choose the complimentary pistol to allocate credits toward their utility kits and protective gear.
The alternate fire or right-click burst equips these support agents with sufficient combat effectiveness to survive initial engagements. Removing this option would homogenize agent selections, diminishing Valorant’s strategic depth. The Ghost would probably emerge as the universal sidearm, eliminating strategic variation during pistol rounds. Reduced utility deployment would become prevalent in economy and first rounds, shifting focus exclusively toward gunplay mechanics.
Advanced Strategy Tip: When playing sentinel agents, practice burst fire timing to maximize damage during defensive holds. The Classic’s right-click requires precise anticipation of enemy positioning to be effective.
Presently, the Classic proves equally disadvantageous in long-range confrontations as it is advantageous in close-quarters combat, rendering it an inconsistent firearm.
Examining Valorant’s current competitive landscape suggests minimal necessity for additional modifications to any sidearm, including the Classic. The existing ecosystem supports multiple viable approaches without any single weapon dominating the meta.
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don’t attempt burst fire beyond 10 meters unless your target is already significantly damaged. The spread becomes too random for reliable elimination potential.
The weapon’s design intentionally creates distinct engagement envelopes where different pistols excel. This strategic diversity represents one of Valorant’s core strengths compared to other tactical shooters.
For players seeking to master their weapon selection across different economic situations, understanding these weapon relationships is crucial. The Classic fills a specific tactical niche that would leave gameplay poorer if removed or significantly weakened.
Considering the comprehensive weapon balance and strategic diversity in Valorant’s current state, further Classic adjustments appear unnecessary and potentially detrimental to game health.
Action Checklist
- Practice burst fire timing in Range mode at 5-10 meter distances
- Learn optimal engagement distances for Classic vs other pistols
- Master economic decision-making for pistol rounds based on agent selection
- Study sentinel agent positioning to maximize Classic burst fire effectiveness
No reproduction without permission:Game Guides Online » Should the Classic be nerfed in Valorant? Analyzing the Classic pistol's balance in Valorant's meta and why it doesn't need further nerfs
