Valorant, the popular tactical first-person shooter game from Riot Games, has introduced a brand new weapon for the first time since its launch in June 2020. Called the Outlaw, this high-powered sniper rifle looks set to shake up gameplay and offer players exciting new strategies.
Outlaw Brings Major Firepower
Detailed in a blog post on January 4th, the Outlaw is a lever-action sniper rifle firing high-caliber rounds in two shots before needing to be reloaded. Statistics shared for the gun promise it will rival the Operator as the game’s most hard-hitting weapon:
| Weapon | Body Shot Damage | Leg Shot Damage | Fire Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | 150 | 127 | 0.75s |
| Outlaw | 150 | 127 | 1.1s |
With damage on par with the Operator but a much faster fire rate, the Outlaw offers new offensive power for those able to handle its kick. Developer Riot Games said they envision it being used to “confidently take close-range duels” that other snipers may struggle with.
New Sniper Alters Competitive Meta
Early impressions and leaks from Valorant esports figures suggest the introduction of the Outlaw will lead to changes in the wider metagame. Esports reporter George Geddes speculated that the prevalence of Chamber in competitive play will drop as other Sentinels gain appeal. Players using the Outlaw will rely more heavily on protective abilities to avoid being pushed while sniping.
There is also chatter around the weapon reshaping attacker-friendly double sniper compositions on maps like Breeze or Fracture where long lines of sight feature heavily. The faster rate of fire theoretically enables more aggressive peeking compared to existing sniper options. However, the Outlaw’s two-shot magazine likely prevents it completely displacing the Operator at the highest tiers of play.
Mixed Response From Fans
Fan reaction online to the new weapon addition is polarized. Many enthusiastically welcome new content spices up the metagame and rewards skill. Twitter user @valesportslove praised the gun as “super satisfying to use successfully.”
However, a portion of the player base aired concerns that the introduction of such a powerful weapon risks disturbing game balance. Redditor u/No_Outlaw_Please started a thread complaining the Outlaw is “completely broken” and will ruin matchmaking until tuning changes are made.
Outlaw Bundle Offers Western Styling
Accompanying the base Outlaw weapon, Riot also launched a themed Outlaw Bundle for players wanting to customize their new gun’s look. The set includes a skin, player card, spray and gun buddy adopting cowboy and Wild West inspirations.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Outlaw Soulstealer Skin | Red and black finish with eagle detailing |
| Wanted Player Card | Cinematic of character escaping prison wagon |
| High Noon Spray | Comic book style standoff scene |
| Lucky Horseshoe Gun Buddy | Animated horseshoe with rope swing |
Priced at 5,100 VP (around $50), the bundle offers a strong value for committed Valorant players. The Outlaw Soulstealer skin in particular brings impressive custom model and animation changes beyond just a fresh lick of paint.
What Happens Next?
All signs point to the Outlaw sniper rifle having an immediate impact when it releases as part of Valorant Episode 8 Act 1 on January 10th alongside a major patch. Developer Riot Games hinted that even more new weapon content is in development during their January 5th livestream.
For now, Outlaw is set to be the headline addition shaking up gameplay for the coming act. Players of all skill levels will be keen to test out the gun and evolve fresh strategies centered around its strengths. The dominating Operator sniper rifle finally has a rival for the crown of most lethal weapon in Valorant.
To err is human, but AI does it too. Whilst factual data is used in the production of these articles, the content is written entirely by AI. Double check any facts you intend to rely on with another source.
