Which weapon deals the highest damage per shot in Valorant?

The Operator deals the highest damage per shot in Valorant. At close range, its damage profile is 255 to the head, 150 to the body, and 120 to the legs, making it the game's most powerful conventional firearm by single-hit damage.

The Operator is a bolt-action sniper rifle costing 4,700 credits, the highest price among Valorant's standard weapons. Its strength is balanced by a slow 0.6-rounds-per-second fire rate, a five-round magazine, and lengthy handling and reload times. Missing a shot can leave the user vulnerable.

The Marshal and Outlaw are common points of confusion. Both are sniper rifles, but their maximum headshot damages—202 and 238 respectively—are lower than the Operator's 255. The Guardian, Vandal, and Sheriff also fall well short of that figure.

“Per shot” refers to the weapon's damage value, not total damage over time or rate of fire. The Operator can eliminate a fully armored opponent with one body shot at short range, which is why it remains an iconic high-impact weapon in Valorant.