Valorant skin rarity can feel like a maze when you first encounter the store. One day you're looking at a clean 875 VP skin, the next you're staring at an 11,900 VP bundle wondering what exactly makes it worth more than some people's monthly gaming budget.
The tier system makes more sense once you understand what you're actually paying for. Each rarity level comes with specific features and price points, ranging from the affordable Select Edition skins at 875 Valorant Points to the premium Ultra Edition bundles costing up to 11,900 Valorant Points. Some skins focus purely on visual redesigns, while others transform your weapons into animated spectacles with custom sound effects and finishing moves, making it special in some Valorant maps.
Here's where it gets interesting: Select and Deluxe skins can be purchased individually or obtained through the Battle Pass, while Premium, Exclusive, and Ultra rarities are generally only available for direct purchase. The most coveted skins, like the Champions Collections and Arcane Sheriff, fall into special time-limited categories that may never return to the store. Miss them, and you might be waiting forever for another chance.
Knowing these distinctions helps you make smarter decisions about where to spend your VP. This guide will break down each rarity tier so you can figure out which skins deliver the best value for your playstyle and budget.
Select Edition
Select Edition marks your first step into VALORANT's cosmetic world. These are the most budget-friendly skins you'll find, offering clean visual changes without breaking the bank. Think of them as the foundation tier perfect if you want something different from default weapons without committing to premium prices.
Select Edition Features
Select Edition skins keep things simple and straightforward. You'll recognize them by the blue circle icon in the store interface. What you get is pure visual redesign no flashy effects, no custom animations, no special sounds. Just clean, well-designed weapon makeovers that change how your guns look without messing with their core feel.
The appeal here is simplicity. These skins focus on solid aesthetic modifications that stand the test of time. You won't get bored of a well-designed Select skin because it doesn't rely on gimmicks to look good.
Here's something worth knowing: all agent gear weapon skins fall into the Select Edition category. These particular skins can be unlocked at Tier 10 of an agent's contract using Kingdom Credits once you've unlocked the agent. Essentially, you can grab some Select-tier cosmetics for free just by playing with specific agents.
Select Edition Price Range
Select Edition skins maintain consistent pricing across the board. Individual Select Edition weapon skins cost 875 VP (approximately USD 10.00) each. Complete Select Edition bundles typically range from 2,930 VP (approximately USD 34.00) to 3,500 VP (approximately USD 41.00).
Bundle math works in your favor here. Most Select bundles include 4-5 weapon skins, sometimes with a melee weapon included that typically costs 1,750 VP on its own. If you want multiple skins from the same collection, bundles deliver significantly better value than individual purchases.
Not all Select bundles cost the same, though. Collections like Prism II and Sensation are priced at 2,930 VP, making them somewhat cheaper than other Select tier bundles that cost 3,500 VP. Smart shoppers pay attention to these price differences.
Best Select Edition Skins
Several Select Edition collections stand out from the pack:
Prism II delivers a clean, fade-style aesthetic reminiscent of CS:GO skins but at a fraction of the cost. Available for Bucky, Sheriff, Shorty, Stinger, and Vandal at 2,930 VP for the complete bundle.
Reverie offers classic, minimalistic design that works especially well on the Ghost and Operator. At just 875 VP per skin, it provides excellent value for players who prefer elegant, understated aesthetics.
Infantry satisfies military enthusiasts with its WW1-inspired design that feels authentic and tactical. The Operator and Ghost variants are particularly popular for their realistic military appearance.
Endeavor features an astronaut theme that honestly looks more premium than its Select Edition price suggests. Available for Ghost, Bulldog, Vandal, Operator, and Ares.
Luxe represents one of the original weapon skin sets from VALORANT's beta period, featuring an elegant blue pattern design. The collection includes skins for Vandal, Ghost, Judge, Operator, Specter, and a knife melee weapon.
Select Edition skins prove you don't need to spend big to personalize your arsenal. While they lack the animated spectacle of higher tiers, many of these designs offer lasting visual appeal that won't leave your wallet crying.
Deluxe Edition
The step up from Select Edition brings you to Deluxe skins, marked by their green rhombus icon in the store. These weapons sit comfortably in the middle ground between basic visual redesigns and the flashy effects of premium tiers.
Deluxe Edition Features
Deluxe Edition skins focus on refined artistic design without the interactive bells and whistles of higher-tier options. What sets them apart from Select skins includes:
Multi-dimensional visual designs that catch the eye
Glowing visual effects on select collections
Refined artistic elements that elevate gameplay esthetics
Most Deluxe skins stick to visual improvements rather than interactive features. You won't find inspect and reload animations or special sound effects in this tier. Collections like Tigris exemplify what makes Deluxe skins appealing, offering weapons that are "visually drawing and hold value" while avoiding the higher cost of animated skins. The variety spans everything from Hawaiian-inspired Holomoku to the clean lines of Minima.
Deluxe Edition Price Range
Deluxe Edition maintains consistent pricing as the second tier in VALORANT's structure:
Individual gun skins: 1,275 VP (approximately USD 16.00)
Melee weapons (knives): 2,550 VP
Complete bundles: 4,270-5,100 VP (approximately USD 51.50-62.00)
Standard Deluxe bundles with four gun skins plus a melee weapon cost 5,100 VP. The Silvanus bundle offers better value at 4,270 VP (approximately USD 51.50), making it one of the more affordable Deluxe sets. Some specialized knives like the Minima Karambit and Luna's Descent command a higher price of 3,550 VP each instead of the standard 2,550 VP.
For players who "do not want to spend a huge amount of money on Valorant skins" but still want something beyond basic Select offerings, Deluxe Edition hits the sweet spot.
Best Deluxe Edition Skins
Several Deluxe collections have earned their reputation for distinctive design elements:
Tigris Collection - The standout Deluxe set, featuring weapons with a "fine finish that makes the gun have a multiple-dimensional look" with "glowing red visual effects". Available for Shorty, Specter, Phantom, Operator, and includes the Hu Else tactical knife.
Luna Collection - Popular for its unique esthetic and adorable buddies, covering Ghost, Specter, Vandal, and Marshal. The Luna's Descent knife commands a premium 3,550 VP.
Chromedek Collection - Sleek, modern design for Shorty, Bulldog, Phantom, Marshal, plus the Chromedek Gauntlet tactical knife.
Orion Collection - Space-themed elegance for Frenzy, Odin, Phantom, and Vandal, with the Orion Sword.
Combat Crafts - Workshop-inspired creativity for Bulldog, Frenzy, Judge, Phantom, and the Combat Crafts Ax.
Minima - Clean, stripped-down design for minimalist enthusiasts, available on Ares, Operator, Phantom, Sheriff, and Specter.
Deluxe skins deliver enough visual flair to stand out from basic options while staying accessible to budget-conscious players. They represent solid value for players seeking distinctive visual upgrades without premium pricing.
Premium Edition
Premium Edition is where things get serious. You'll spot these skins by their upside-down pink triangle icon in the store, and they represent the moment VALORANT skins stop being simple makeovers and start becoming experiences. This tier sits right in that sweet spot where visual flair meets reasonable pricing.
Premium Edition Features
Premium skins come with the full package that makes higher-tier weapons worth the investment. Each skin can be upgraded through multiple levels that unlock increasingly impressive features:
Custom animations that transform reload and equip sequences
Visual effects (VFX) that add particle effects and distinctive visual flair
Enhanced audio design with unique firing and impact sounds
Finishers that create spectacular visual displays when eliminating the final enemy
Most Premium skins feature color variants that allow for personalization beyond the base design. These variants typically include 3-4 different color schemes, such as the Oni Phantom's distinctive red, black, and white options. The upgrade levels form an essential part of the Premium Edition experience, allowing players to progressively unlock animations, VFX, and finishers to enjoy the skin to its fullest potential.
What makes Premium skins special is how they balance impressive features with accessible pricing. Many players consider this the ideal tier for getting the most bang for your buck. Plus, some of VALORANT's most iconic skin lines call this tier home, turning them into genuine status symbols within the community.
Premium Edition Price Range
Premium Edition maintains consistent pricing that won't completely destroy your wallet. Individual weapon skins cost 1,775 VP (approximately USD 23.00) each. Complete Premium Edition bundles typically cost 7,100 VP (approximately USD 82.00-85.00), though some collections like XERØFANG (6,355 VP) and Doodle Buds (6,992 VP) are priced slightly lower.
Melee weapons (knives) in Premium collections generally cost 3,550 VP individually, though some specialized designs command higher prices. This represents a significant step up from lower-tier options, yet remains more accessible than Ultra or Exclusive editions.
Certain bundles offer better value than others if you're watching your spending. Collections like Doodle Buds (6,992 VP) and XERØFANG (6,355 VP) provide the Premium experience at a somewhat lower price point. Older Premium collections occasionally return to the store rotation, giving you another chance to snag these popular skins.
Best Premium Edition Skins
The Premium tier houses some of VALORANT's most beloved collections. Several have achieved legendary status among players:
Prime Collection - The gold standard featuring premium white and gold aesthetics with enhanced one-tap audio confirmation. The Prime Vandal has become genuinely iconic. At 1,775 VP, it represents excellent long-term value that never feels outdated.
Reaver Collection - A community favorite offering unique Ghost and Guardian weapon skins alongside the popular Vandal variant. The collection's dark purple and ghostly appearance creates a distinctive aesthetic that many players find irresistible.
Ion Collection - Sleek futuristic design built around an energized core. Ion exemplifies the "more with less" philosophy with its clean white and blue color scheme that perfectly executes the sci-fi aesthetic.
Oni Collection - Ancient Japanese folklore meets sharp modern design. The Oni series features ornate oni masks and spiritual audio effects. The Phantom variant remains one of the most sought-after skins years after its initial release.
Celestial Collection - Standing out for its unique Celestial Fan melee weapon and intricate cosmic designs. This collection showcases cosmic themes with stunning detail and satisfying sound effects.
Other notable Premium collections include Magepunk, Sovereign, Neptune, Origin, and the popular Gaia's Vengeance series. The Premium tier represents the sweet spot where most of VALORANT's most beloved skin designs reside, balancing impressive features with relatively reasonable prices compared to higher-tier options.
Premium Edition offers enough visual and audio enhancement to significantly transform your gameplay experience without reaching the extravagant pricing of Ultra or Exclusive collections.
Exclusive Edition
This is where things start getting serious and expensive. Exclusive Edition skins represent the point where VALORANT cosmetics stop being simple visual upgrades and become full weapon transformations that justify their premium price tags.
Exclusive Edition Features
Exclusive Edition skins deliver exceptional value through their comprehensive suite of upgrades and modifications. These high-end cosmetics come equipped with:
Premium animations that transform equip, reload, and inspect sequences
Advanced visual effects that substantially alter the weapon's appearance
Custom sound effects that create a distinctive audio signature
Unique finishers that display spectacular visual sequences upon match-ending eliminations
Multiple color variants allowing for personalized customization
Special transformation effects in some collections
What distinguishes Exclusive skins from lower tiers is the comprehensive nature of their enhancements. These skins effectively transform weapons into entirely new experiences many players consider them "new weapons" due to their distinctive animations and sound signatures. Collections like Kuronami and RGX 11z Pro feature RGB lighting effects that activate upon inspection, creating a truly personalized experience.
The level of detail in these collections is genuinely impressive. Each weapon feels completely different from its base version, with animations and effects that make every reload, inspect, and elimination feel special.
Exclusive Edition Price Range
Here's where your wallet might start feeling a bit lighter. The pricing structure for Exclusive Edition skins follows a relatively consistent pattern, though some variation exists between collections:
Individual weapon skins typically cost between 2,175-2,675 VP (approximately USD 24.00-28.00). Melee weapons in this tier command significantly higher prices, ranging from 4,350-5,350 VP (approximately USD 45.00-55.00).
Complete bundles vary more substantially in price:
Most standard Exclusive bundles cost 8,700 VP (approximately USD 85.00)[153]
Select collections like RGX 11z Pro are priced at 6,700 VP (approximately USD 70.00)
Premium collections such as Evori Dreamwings reach 9,900 VP (approximately USD 105.00)
Kuronami, among the most sought-after bundles, costs 9,500 VP (approximately USD 95.00)
Exclusive Edition bundles typically include four weapon skins plus a melee weapon, along with complementary items like player cards, gun buddies, and sprays. These represent substantial investments that offer comprehensive cosmetic transformations across multiple weapons.
Best Exclusive Edition Skins
Several Exclusive Edition collections have earned legendary status within the VALORANT community:
Kuronami Collection - Widely regarded as "the best bundle in-game" featuring what many consider the best melee skin and best Vandal skin available. Its popularity prompted Riot to announce a forthcoming Kuronami 2.0 collection. The katana melee weapon alone makes this bundle worth considering.
RGX 11z Pro Series - A fan favorite featuring RGB lighting effects that actually change colors during weapon inspection. The latest Episode Nine iteration includes a highly coveted Karambit melee weapon. Perfect for players who want their weapons to feel as futuristic as they look.
Prelude to Chaos - Notable for its chaotic, edgy aesthetic with green, white, and blue variants. The collection includes a distinctive Flail melee weapon and impressive visual effects that live up to the "chaos" name.
Nocturnum Collection - A spooky, League of Legends-inspired design featuring a transforming Scythe melee weapon and distinctive black, blue, and yellow color variants. The gothic aesthetic appeals to players who prefer darker themes.
Primordium Bundle - Priced at 8,700 VP, this collection offers a distinctive aesthetic for the Phantom, Shorty, Specter, and Vandal. The prehistoric theme creates a unique visual identity that stands out from other collections.
Exclusive Edition skins represent significant investments that genuinely transform both the visual and audio experience of gameplay. These collections justify their premium positioning through comprehensive feature sets that make every match feel more engaging.
Ultra Edition
Welcome to the top of the mountain. Ultra Edition skins represent the absolute pinnacle of what VALORANT cosmetics can achieve, marked by a yellow square icon in the store interface. These aren't just skins anymore they're entirely new experiences that transform your weapons into living, breathing spectacles.
Ultra Edition Features
Ultra Edition skins redefine what's possible when developers decide to go all out. The level of detail and animation work here is honestly ridiculous:
Complex animated transformations fundamentally alter how weapons look and behave. Comprehensive visual effects feature extensive particle systems and dynamic elements that make your screen light up. Custom sound design gives each weapon unique firing, reload, and impact audio that you'll recognize instantly. Interactive animations respond to your actions and game states, while some collections like Protocol 781-A even include voice lines that give weapons distinct personalities.
Most Ultra skins come with multiple color variants for personalization. What sets these apart from every other tier is the sheer level of visual transformation. Take Elderflame skins they literally turn weapons into dragons that crane their necks, look at players, and breathe smoke when shots miss. Each collection offers fully upgraded animations for using and reloading weapons, plus finishers and typically three color options.
Ultra Edition Price Range
Ultra Edition pricing reflects their status as VALORANT's most elaborate cosmetics. Individual weapon skins typically cost 2,475 VP (approximately USD 25.00-30.00). Melee weapons demand even higher prices, ranging from 4,950 VP (approximately USD 45.00-50.00) to 5,950 VP for the Radiant Entertainment System Power Fist currently the most expensive single skin in VALORANT history.
Complete Ultra Edition bundles vary significantly. Standard Ultra bundles like Elderflame and Protocol 781-A cost 9,900 VP (approximately USD 99.99-119.00)[202]. The Radiant Entertainment System collection commands 11,900 VP, making it the most expensive bundle available.
You'll need to spend £99.99 (or regional equivalent) to get 12,000 VP for most Ultra collections. Individual purchases mean spending around £34.99 for 4,000 VP. These are serious investments, but the visual impact justifies the cost for many players.
Best Ultra Edition Skins
Several Ultra Edition collections have achieved legendary status:
Elderflame remains the gold standard. Released in Patch 1.03, these dragon-themed designs for Vandal, Operator, Frenzy, Judge, and dagger melee maintain extraordinary popularity years later. Many players still consider it their "number-one favorite" for its distinctive animations.
Protocol 781-A brought robotic-styled weapons with unique voice lines that change pitch based on color variants. Available for Sheriff, Specter, Bulldog, Phantom, and includes a tactical knife.
Radiant Entertainment System stands as the most expensive collection, featuring arcade game-inspired designs for Bulldog, Ghost, Operator, Phantom, and the PowerFist melee at 5,950 VP.
Phaseguard offers futuristic military styling for Ghost, Bulldog, Outlaw, Vandal, plus the Phaseguard Splitter melee. Features distinctive SFX, animations, and finishers with blue, black, and gold variants.
Evori Dreamwings showcases adorable Dreamwings familiars across Ghost, Odin, Specter, Vandal, and includes the Evori's Spellcaster melee. Comes with green, pink, orange, and blue variants.
Ultra Edition skins represent the ultimate cosmetic investment. They completely transform both appearance and feel of weapons, creating experiences that genuinely enhance gameplay through their visual and audio impact.
Battle Pass Skins
The Battle Pass stands out as VALORANT's most budget-friendly way to build up your skin collection. Rather than dropping serious VP on individual purchases, this time-limited progression system gives you multiple skin sets and extras for a single, reasonable price.
Battle Pass Skins Features
Each Battle Pass delivers a solid mix of cosmetic rewards across both free and premium tracks. The premium track typically includes:
Three new weapon skin collections (two Select Edition and one Deluxe Edition)
13 gun skins (with only 1 available in the free track)
10 gun buddies (4 in free track)
13 player cards (4 in free track)
15 sprays (2 in free track)
3 player titles (all in free track)
180 Radianite Points (60 in free track)
What makes Battle Pass skins particularly appealing is their exclusivity once an act ends, these weapon skins cannot be obtained through any means. The Tier 50 reward for Premium Track owners is always a melee skin, which adds solid value to the pass. Recent passes like the PERCH collection have featured seasonal color variants and animated weapon art, showing how Riot keeps evolving the Battle Pass experience.
Battle Pass Skins Availability
The Battle Pass maintains consistent pricing at 1,000 VP (approximately $10) per act. Each act brings a fresh pass with completely new content, and once it's over, those items become permanently unobtainable.
Even if you don't want to spend money, every season offers some exclusive cosmetics through the free track typically one weapon skin, player titles, and some Radianite Points. For those who do purchase the premium track, the Battle Pass serves as the most cost-effective source of Radianite Points in the game, offering up to 160 points when completed.
Best Battle Pass Skins
Certain Battle Pass collections have earned recognition for their exceptional designs throughout VALORANT's history:
Ruin Dagger (Episode 1, Act 3) - Often considered the most iconic Battle Pass melee weapon with its sleek, dark design and glowing red accents
Velocity Karambit (Episode 5, Act 3) - Brought an affordable karambit option to players with sleek, futuristic design and vibrant color options
Kingdom Collection (Episode 1, Act 1) - One of the original weapon skin sets, featuring elegant blue pattern designs for Phantom, Classic, Specter, Bucky, and melee
Infinity Collection (Episode 2, Act 1) - Highly regarded for its clean esthetic across Classic, Bulldog, Specter, Guardian, and Phantom
The Battle Pass delivers exceptional value for regular players who want cosmetics without breaking the bank. You get multiple weapon skins and exclusive items that would cost significantly more if purchased individually.
Time-Limited Skins
Here's where things get really interesting and potentially heartbreaking for collectors. Time-limited skins represent VALORANT's most exclusive tier, appearing briefly before disappearing into the digital void. Miss them, and you might be stuck watching other players flex skins you'll never own.
Time-Limited Skins Features
Time-limited skins operate on a completely different level from regular store offerings. Once removed from the store, these collections typically never return. The exclusivity factor alone makes them worth considering, but many come with unique features you won't find anywhere else.
Champions collections feature the remarkable "Champions Aura" effect a visual enhancement that makes your weapon glow when you've secured the most kills in a game. It's like having a built-in bragging system that activates when you're popping off. Special event bundles often include exclusive accessories unavailable through other means, making them genuine one-time opportunities.
The Night Market represents another time-sensitive opportunity, appearing once per act and offering six randomly selected skins at discounts ranging from 10% to 49%. You never know what'll show up, which makes it either a pleasant surprise or a frustrating wait. The Esports Store showcases limited-time capsules celebrating competitive Valorant teams and leagues. The Give Back Bundle combines community voting with charitable contributions, allowing players to select which previous skins return briefly while supporting good causes.
Time-Limited Skins Pricing
Pricing for time-limited collections varies considerably based on their exclusivity and features. Champions bundles consistently command premium prices at approximately 6,265 VP (roughly USD 66.00). Tournament-specific collections like VCT LOCK//IN were priced at 5,440 VP. The RiotX Arcane bundle, celebrating the Netflix series, was more affordable at 2,380 VP.
The VCT 2025 Season capsule represents the most recent offering at 5,850 VP, featuring the VCT Karambit with regional-themed designs. Night Market discounts can make premium skins significantly more affordable, yet their random nature means you cannot predict which skins will appear. Some players wait months hoping their dream skin shows up at a discount, only to cave and buy it at full price anyway.
Most Iconic Time-Limited Skins
Champions collections remain the most prestigious time-limited skins in VALORANT. The Champions 2021 Vandal and Karambit have achieved legendary status as the inaugural championship collection. These skins carry serious bragging rights they're instantly recognizable and signal that you've been around since the early competitive days.
The Arcane Sheriff holds similar prestige as one of the rarest skins, available only during the 2021 Arcane event. If you own this one, you're part of an exclusive club that gets smaller every day as more players join the game.
Other notable collections include the VCT LOCK//IN bundle with its four regional knife variants and the IGNITE collection celebrating Valorant's Chinese launch. Each represents a specific moment in VALORANT's history that you either experienced or missed forever.
Quick Reference Guide
Here's a breakdown of all the skin tiers we've covered, laid out in one place so you can compare pricing and features without jumping between sections. This should help you figure out which tier offers the best value for your specific budget and preferences.
The Battle Pass clearly offers the best bang for your buck if you play regularly. For 1,000 VP, you get more skins than any other option, plus extras like player cards and sprays. The catch? You need to grind through the tiers, and once the act ends, those skins are gone forever.
Time-limited skins sit in their own category since pricing varies so much. The Champions collections are expensive, but that Champions Aura effect when you're match MVP makes them worth it for many players. Just remember - miss them, and you're probably out of luck permanently.
Conclusion
VALORANT's skin ecosystem makes a lot more sense once you understand what drives the pricing. Each tier serves different types of players, from those who want simple visual changes to collectors chasing the most elaborate animations and effects.
The sweet spot for most players tends to land somewhere in the Premium tier. You get enough visual flair and custom effects to feel like you're using something special, without the wallet-crushing prices of Ultra collections. That said, there's nothing wrong with sticking to Select or Deluxe skins if you prefer clean designs over flashy animations.
Budget-conscious players have solid options. The Battle Pass delivers exceptional value if you play regularly, and Select Edition skins prove that good design doesn't always need expensive effects. Meanwhile, serious collectors will find Ultra and Exclusive tiers offer genuinely unique experiences that transform how weapons look, sound, and feel.
Watch for opportunities to maximize your VP spending. Night Market discounts can make premium skins much more affordable, though you can't control which ones appear. Battle Pass seasons offer multiple collections for the price of a single Premium skin, making them hard to beat for value.
Focus your spending on weapons you actually use. That gorgeous Operator skin loses its appeal if you prefer playing close-range agents. Similarly, consider whether you value visual effects over clean aesthetics some players find elaborate animations distracting during clutch moments.
Time-limited collections create tough decisions. Missing a Champions bundle or special event skin means it's likely gone forever, but don't feel pressured to buy everything that appears. Stick to collections that genuinely appeal to you rather than purchasing based on rarity alone.
The skin system rewards patience and planning over impulse purchases. Build your collection gradually, targeting specific weapons and themes that match your preferences. Most importantly, remember that no skin affects your gameplay performance buy what brings you joy, not what you think you should own.
VALORANT offers something for every budget and taste. Armed with knowledge about each tier's features and pricing, you can make decisions that feel right for your wallet and playstyle.
