VALORANT Collections that Nailed It and Others that Didn't

With just over $5,000 worth of skins in the game, what are the best collections Riot has released so far?

Author:
Scott Zackman
Updated:
Apr 17, 2023 1:35 PM EDT
Original:
Apr 4, 2023

Did you know that some VALORANT weapon collections change the sound when you get a kill? If you did, you likely have a favorite based on the melody after each kill, how it looks when you hip-fire/ADS, and maybe how it matches with your favorite crosshair. If you didn't know this, stop throwing in ranked and take a look at this top 5 best VALORANT weapon skins list!

Top 5 Best VALORANT Skins

Here are the top VALORANT weapon skins to help you in ranked.

5. Singularity Collection

Released in October 2020, this collection and each weapon's variants look fantastic. This collection isn’t higher on the list because of its lingering sound effect that lasts way too long. Besides that drawback, the whole collection is sleek, has clean sights, and contains skins for some of the best guns (Sheriff, Spectre, Phantom, and if you like to shoot through walls: Ares).

4. Ion Collection

Singularity and Ion collections could be interchanged here because they both suffer from a similar lingering sound effect but also look fantastic. The reason Ion sits a little higher here, however, is the “knife.” I used quotation marks because this thing is a freakin sword. If you don’t care much about the sound effects, definitely pick up this collection when you can.

3. Glitchpop Collection

Glitchpop has a couple of collections - the original was released in the summer of 2020, and the second collection was released in early 2021. Regardless of being a Vandal or Phantom player, this collection has both. It boasts skins for most weapons in the game and has very satisfying and short kill sounds. For some, however, the over-the-top style holds it back from being higher on this list.

2. Oni Collection

A close second to our final collection, we saw this released in the summer of 2020. This is the go-to collection for Phantom users. Not only is the Phantom weapon skin one of the most popular, but the knife or “Oni Claw” is also used by most collection owners. A quick, almost flute-like sound doesn’t overstay its welcome after securing a kill and looking for the next one.

1. Reaver Collection

Tried and true, this collection was released in late 2020. Not only do the weapons all look aesthetically pleasing - but it is known for having one of the most popular Vandal skins in the game. The base skins are pleasing, but you can make them red, black, or white with Radianite points. Each kill gives a quick and satisfying bell ding as well, which makes sure you can hear those footsteps coming around the next corner.

4 Worst VALORANT Skins

Here are some VALORANT weapon skins that didn't quite hit the mark.

4. Elderflame Collection

Like the Glitchpop collection, we find Elderflame on this list because it certainly isn’t everyone's cup of tea. Released in July 2020, while the skins look awesome, they can be unwieldy to use. Aiming down sights (especially on the Operator) takes some getting used to, and the sound effects last a bit longer.

3. Minima Collection

As other folks have stated, it is a boring and uninspired collection with little difference from the default skins in-game. Sure it’s only a Deluxe collection, but it feels silly to charge anything for what ultimately looks slightly different than the base weapon skins.

2. Spline Collection

Let’s be real here, folks; it’s ugly. I don’t care if it were to have the most satisfying melody after each kill; you’ll never find me or many others using this collection. I can’t fault the team for trying, as it is very different and unique.

1. Winterwunderland Collection

You can call me The Grinch for this one. Not a fan of the uninspired 3D that went into this and the generic scenery that somehow still distracts. Being constantly reminded Christmas is always around the corner cannot be good for mental health. Whenever I see these skins, I remember my years of retail experience and the mind-numbing Christmas music that started in early November.

This article was created under Riot Games' "Legal Jibber Jabber" policy using assets owned by Riot Games. Riot Games does not endorse or sponsor this project.