VALORANT: Is Stinger the meta-weapon now?

After almost two months of waiting, the fans and we at Fragster.com are happy that the VALORANT competitive scene is back. The various level two Challenger leagues in many regions are already underway, and we are very close to the first major international event of VCT 2023 in mid-February.

However, the start of this season is marked by a new goal in the game, the popular and often-forgotten Stinger.

Stinger – Patch 5.06 meta

There is no doubt that the Stinger has been VALORANT’s meta since its implementation in patch 5.06 in September 2022. Recall that, in that update, bugs in the primary and alternate firing modes were fixed, making it more reliable at close ranges. Before this patch, the Stinger was one of the least used weapons in the game, even though its price is very low.

This has trickled down to the games in the VALORANT pro scene, as many teams have great battles using the Stinger. Without going too far, the Stinger was the third most used weapon in the first two maps of the NA VALORANT Challengers between FaZe Clan and G2 Esports. However, it is still not at the same level of popularity as the Vandal or the Phamton.

However, some members of the community have been complaining lately about the incredible power of this SMG. Because of its rapid-fire rate, it is an absolute beast when taking on opponents.

But what does it mean that the Stinger is the game’s meta?

It means that the Stinger is the preferred choice for players in any game round, as long as it is not a complete buyout round. In other words, it is the perfect weapon to use in eco rounds and is more than capable of damaging the opposing team.

The Stinger is the ideal choice for any player in any round that is not a full buyout or a full echo. This is because this SMG costs only 1000 credits, and players can afford to purchase armor and abilities and still have credits for the total buyout for the next round.

Stinger – Most dangerous weapon at close range

After patch 5.06, the Stinger has become the most lethal weapon at close range, making it as viable or much better than a shotgun at close range. However, the Stinger allows you to move quickly and shoot simultaneously. Some even consider the Stinger’s downrange shooting better than the Spectre’s, as the three-shot burst is more controllable.

The Stinger is the perfect weapon for teams with an aggressive game. With it, they can hit the Sites violently and, above all, do a lot of damage to the opposing team.

Although in Post-Plants situations, the Stinger becomes a little less effective. So, if players can knock down their opponents with the Stinger, they can take the Vandals or Phantoms to the ground.

Header: Riot Games