'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
One thing that all Valorant players will agree on is the fact that Riot Games makes fantastic skins for the game. In fact, it is one of the most compelling non-gameplay-centric factors that appeal to the player base over its competitors. Although aiming and shooting people down is the game's primary goal, having visually stunning skin and dopamine-generating sound effects only elevates the experience of playing Riot's character-based tactical shooter.
Similar to traditional sports, where the gear used by popular professional players inspires amateurs to purchase the same products, in esports like Valorant, one of the criteria used to judge the success of a skin collection is how many pros use it in official matches. Based on that, here are some of the most popular Phantom skins that pros often use in their official matches.
Recon, Oni, and three other Phantom skins loved by professional Valorant players
1) Recon Phantom
The Recon collection came out during one of the later patches of Act 3, Episode 1 in Valorant. Before the collection came out, the guns didn't look as impressive because no animation was promised. The main focus was on the melee weapon, which resembled a balisong or a butterfly knife for the first time.
Only upon release did players realize what a gem of a collection this was. The Recon Phantom meant business. It didn't have flashy animations like other collections, but it had the one thing that made skins memorable: a dopamine generating kill-sound. The simple design with the right flair in necessary places makes it one of the favorite Phantom skins among pro players, like 100 Thieves' Peter "Asuna" Mazuryk.
2) Oni Phantom
Like the original Prime collection, which brought the first animated Vandal skin after the game's official release, the Oni got the first animated Phantom skin. These two skins testify to the saying, "You do not forget your first time." Despite being almost three years old, the Oni Phantom remains one of Valorant's most loved skins.
The design principle behind it is channeling pure evil energy, which is conveyed brilliantly through sound effects and visuals. Each one of its variants looks good and has a fanbase of its own. One of the most popular Valorant pros swears by the Oni Phantom is TSM's Yassine "Subroza" Taoufik.
3) Spectrum Phantom
The Spectrum Collection came out back in Episode 3, Act 2. This was Valorant's first and only IP collaboration to date. It was pretty advanced, giving the users a finisher that spread over the map. It also featured sound effects like no other skin of its time. The level of its inspect animation is yet to be matched by other skins.
The Spectrum Phantom was the most expensive skin in the game until recently, with a price tag of 2675 VP. That didn't stop players from getting the skin, though. DRX's Kim "MaKo" Myeong-kwan is one of the best-known players to use this skin regularly.
4) Reaver 2.0 Phantom
The Reaver 2.0 collection is yet another classic in the game. There are very few people who dislike it. The original bundle had a Vandal skin, and the player base loved it so much that they brought out a Phantom skin in the second edition of it. The skin's theme is based on black magic and necromancy, giving it a somewhat sinister feel when used.
The Reaver Phantom excels in all fields, from fantastic animation to great sound effects. Its variants also don't disappoint, unlike the Vandal, on which some skins look worse than others. Therefore, it is not a surprise that the Valorant player base loves this skin so much. Fnatic's in-game leader, Jake "Boaster" Howlett, swears by this skin and even calls it his favorite Phantom skin.
5) Radiant Entertainment System Phantom
The Radiant Entertainment System is the last skin collection added to the game at the start of Episode 6, Act 2. It is also the most expensive one so far, and rightly so. The skin alone costs nearly 3000 VP, but if you think about it, you are pretty much getting three different skins based on the same theme for the price of one.
Each of its three variants is based on a different arcade game and comes with its sound effects, kill banner, and finisher. This has to be one of the most ambitious projects undertaken by the skin development team of Valorant, and needless to say, it has been a roaring success. Being a new skin, it is widely used by players across all three VCT Leagues and the other tier-2 competitions.
