The Operator is the most high-risk, high-reward weapon in VALORANT, and it has been hugely popular alongside the two main rifles in the game. Here we’ll be ranking the Operator skins from worst to best.
The Operator is a Sniper Rifle in VALORANT, and it has the potential to one-shot kill enemies with a hit to the head or chest. It is the most expensive weapon in the game, costing 4700 credits. The weapon can be scoped in to hit targets farther away, but it can be zoomed in twice for higher magnification, unlike the marshall, which can be zoomed in only once.
Skins in VALORANT are merely decorative and do not offer any real in-game advantages vs. the default skin. Although compared to other games like CS:GO, which only offer recolors of the same exact weapon, the devs at Riot went a bit overboard with the skins in VALORANT as they completely altered the look of the weapon, added special VFX, GFX, and one skin turns your weapon into a literal dragon!
While choosing a good Operator skin for yourself, you should determine if you like the theme of the skins, the looks, the inspect/equip animations, the finisher, and the firing sounds. Unlike other games like CS:GO, which has individual pricing for skins, the skins in VALORANT come at a fixed price, depending on their collection. For example, select Edition skins cost 875vp while Premium and Exclusive Edition skins cost 1775vp and 2175vp, respectively.
Read More: Cheapest VALORANT Weapon Skins: The Best Select Edition Skins
Best Operator Skins in VALORANT 2023: A Complete Tier List
Since the game’s release, Riot has released 35 different types of Operator skins in VALORANT as a part of weapon bundles and battle passes. Since battle pass skins are obtainable only during their respective act and cannot be obtained later in the store, we excluded those from our top 10 but included them in the tier list. Battle pass skins are occasionally good, but they aren’t usually better than skins from featured bundles, so our top 10 will remain unaffected with their exclusion.
| Tier | Operator Skins |
|---|---|
| S-Tier (Best) | Elderflame, Ion, Reaver, Araxys, Prelude to Chaos, RGX 11z Pro |
| A-Tier (Good) | Glitchpop 2.0, Origin, Magepunk, Sentinels of Light, Gravitational Uranium Blaster Infantry, Forsaken |
| B-Tier (Average) | Cryostasis, Prism, Iridian Thorn, Genesis, Aerosol, Silvanus, Spline, Valorant Go! Vol. 2, K/TAC, Nitro, Tigris |
| C-Tier (Underwhelming) | Minima, Convex, Red Alert, Endeavour, Kohaku & Matsuba, Spitfire, Striker, Team Ace |
| F-Tier (Not Recommended) | Cavalier, Luxe, Tethered Realms |
Top 10 Operator Skins in VALORANT
Among all the Operator skins released in VALORANT so far, here are the top 10 ranked according to the basis of looks, animations, and VFX:
10. Gravitational Uranium Neuroblaster Operator
Known as the Jetson’s Operator, the Gravitational Uranium Neuroblaster is a futuristic skin for the Operator. Although a lot of people might not be a fan of its looks and animations, the satisfying fire VFX puts this at our #8 spot.
Rarity: Premium Edition
Price: 1775 VP
How to Buy: Store, Night Market
VFX, GFX, Finisher: Yes
9. Magepunk Operator
The Magepunk Operator skin came with the 2nd Magepunk bundle to be added to the game. It features a steampunk version of the Operator along with cool lightning GFX. Firing the Magepunk operator feels like shooting out a lightning bolt.
Rarity: Premium Edition
Price: 1775 VP
How to Buy: Store, Night Market VFX, GFX, Finisher: Yes
8. Glitchpop Operator
After releasing the first Glitchpop bundle and how well it was received, Riot released the 2nd Glitchpop bundle, which featured an Operator skin. If you love futuristic neon/Cyberpunk aesthetics, then the Glitchpop Operator would be a perfect match for you.
Rarity: Exclusive Edition
Price: 2175 VP
How to Buy: Store only
VFX, GFX, Finisher: Yes
7. Sentinels of Light Operator
The Sentinels of Light Operator was added as a part of the Sentinels of Light skin bundle in collaboration with Riot’s popular League of Legends franchise. It features the Operator with intricate patterns and crystals that form into a barrel in the weapon’s equip animation.
Rarity: Exclusive Edition
Price: 2175 VP
How to Buy: Store only
VFX, GFX, Finisher: Yes
6. Origin Operator
Probably with one of the coolest equip and inspect animations, we have the Origin Operator at #4. The Origin bundle was popular because the weapons could disassemble and levitate during its inspection animation, which looked really unique. It also has a menacingly loud firing sound with an average finisher.
Rarity: Premium Edition
Price: 1775 VP
How to Buy: Store, Night Market
VFX, GFX, Finisher: Yes
5. Reaver Operator
The Reaver series of skins is one of the most popular skin bundles in VALORANT, with the Reaver Vandal and Reaver Sheriff gaining much popularity along with the Reaver Operator. The skin has one of the most unique reload animations, with the player unloading and reloading the magazine without touching it as though using some sort of dark magic. The firing sounds, skin color variants, and finisher put this Operator’s skin in our top 3.
Rarity: Premium Edition
Price: 1775 VP
How to Buy: Store, Night Market
VFX, GFX, Finisher: Yes
4. Prelude to Chaos
Looking at Prelude to Chaos skin from the side doesn’t give you much idea. However, getting hold of the skin in the game will change your perspective of this badass Vandal. The animation, sound, and feel of the skin will make you want to buy it.
Rarity: Exclusive Edition
Price: 2175 VP
How to Buy: Store only
VFX, GFX, Finisher: Yes
3. Araxys Operator
The Araxys Operator features a robotic and futuristic-looking theme. If you are not into fancy-designed skins, this skin bundle will definitely be worth your wallet.
Rarity: Exclusive Edition
Price: 2175 VP
How to Buy: Store only
VFX, GFX, Finisher: Yes
2. Ion Operator
The Ion Operator is a sleek-looking modern skin for the Operator. Even though it does not have any crazy animations like the Origin or Reaver skins, it makes up for it through its lightweight-looking design, smooth gameplay, and satisfying firing sounds.
Rarity: Premium Edition
Price: 1775 VP
How to Buy: Store, Night Market
VFX, GFX, Finisher: Yes
1. Elderflame Operator
At last, in our #1 position, we have the Elderflame Operator. As an Ultra Edition skin, the Elderflame Operator is still the most expensive Op skin to date. It takes on the form of a literal dragon and comes with cool equip and reload animations. Not to mention the firing sound sounds like a Dragon’s roar. Coupled with the insane firebreathing finisher, the Elderflame Operator is the best Operator skin in VALORANT.
Rarity: Ultra Edition
Price: 2475 VP
How to Buy: Store only
VFX, GFX, Finisher: Yes
So this wraps up our list of Best Operator skins in VALORANT 2023. Note that, like all lists, this is subjective, and your personal rankings might differ from the ones we have here.
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