Knives in Valorant

All knives in Valorant deal fixed damage in the range of 50–100 HP, depending on the hit position (from the back or front). While their shapes and visual effects may vary, all knives have a standard hit radius.

The main appeal of using a knife in Valorant lies in its conceptual value. Since knife kills require close proximity to the enemy, they are seen as the pinnacle of skill and often earn respect from both teammates and opponents.

Just like in CS, every weapon in Valorant can have skins with unique animations and effects, including finisher animations. Today, you’ll discover the best visuals for stylish melee eliminations and how to obtain them.

How to Get a Knife in Valorant

There are five main ways to obtain a cool knife skin in Valorant (and the same applies to other weapons):

• For free, though very rarely — during generous giveaways from Riot Games, Twitch streams, etc.

• Through events — as rewards for participation and victories, often in limited quantities, making them more valuable.

• During Night Market sales — held a few times a year by Riot Games; a paid but relatively cheap option.

• Through the Battle Pass — at level 50, though the reward isn't always a knife.

• Direct purchase from the in-game store — standard skins cost from 1750 VP, premium ones up to 5350 VP. VP can only be bought with real money.

The last option is arguably the most reliable since the store refreshes daily. Past collection skins may reappear — and those are usually the most valuable.

Best Knives in Valorant

Among the vast variety of knife skins in Valorant, only a few have achieved cult status. The reasons vary — from being part of limited editions to having unique effects, sounds, and animations. These knives are traditionally expensive, but owning one — combined with skillful use — will make you a local legend in your community.

Here are the must-have skins for every melee master:

• Elderflame Dagger

• Prime 2.0 Karambit

• RGX Butterfly Knife

• Reaver Knife

• Oni Claw/Katana

A bit more detail:

Elderflame Dagger

Not all Valorant knives are made of metal. This one is crafted from a real dragon. Wielding it unlocks unique animations and effects, including finishers.

Prime 2.0 Karambit

Like other premium Valorant knives, this one features smooth animations and a sleek design. Especially striking if it’s the last thing your enemy sees.

RGX Butterfly Knife

This butterfly knife doesn’t just eliminate opponents — it makes kills stylish and flashy. And yes, it fits seamlessly into the game's lore.

Reaver Knife

The Reaver is for those who enjoy ritualistic takedowns with enemies as the offering. Delivering death with this blade is as brutal as it is visually satisfying.

Oni Claw/Katana

The claw and katana from the Oni bundle are true works of art that perfectly complement Eastern-themed agents — especially when wielded up close by a skilled player.

Controversial Knives in Valorant

Like the Valorant Usher Knife and some other weapon skins, not all of them are well-liked by the majority of players. Of course, there are fans, but we’re talking about the dominant majority, right?

So, here are a few knives gamers disliked so much that we just can’t stay silent about them:

• Xenohunter Knife

• Champions 2021 Karambit

• Gravitational Uranium Neuroblaster Knife

• Radiant Crisis 001 Baseball Bat

And a short overview of each:

Xenohunter Knife

This isn’t a Valorant Monarch knife nor a standard model. It’s just a textured model without new animations or effects priced at 3550 VP. The price itself was the main reason the community discarded this style.

Champions 2021 Karambit

Like almost all Valorant event knives, this skin is no longer obtainable. Many players were disappointed by this marketing approach, which negatively affected their opinion of this knife skin.

Gravitational Uranium Neuroblaster Knife

Not a knife but a futuristic club with plastic styling and “wooden” animations. Players felt 3550 VP was way too much for this “masterpiece,” causing it to quickly drop in the skin rankings.

Radiant Crisis 001 Baseball Bat

Far from a luxury knife, it’s a bat squeezed into a slot meant for a stabbing or cutting weapon. Neither the hit sound, animations, nor tactile feedback impressed the community. That said, this skin still has quite a few fans.

Actually, these are far from all the models and textures that can be “slapped” onto the base knife to create unique effects or animations.

Other Melee Weapons in Valorant

The Valorant arsenal is truly impressive. There are many types of skins specifically for melee weapons, including:

• Basic Knife – the cheapest knife in Valorant, issued with the agent.

• Karambits – a garden knife that cuts flesh as well as branches in everyday use.

• Katanas – Eastern-style swords that have the standard knife attack range in the game.

• Claws/Claw-like weapons – unique weapons inspired by special spurs used in bird fights but much deadlier.

• Butterflies (Butterfly knives) – a traditional companion of hooligans and criminals, often with bright designs.

• Battle axes/Machetes – for those who prefer inflicting deep slashing wounds rather than stabbing or cutting.

• Unique shapes (dragons, energy blades, etc.) – often skins with their own animations and effects. The most interesting and valuable.

Every new knife in Valorant brings something unique to the game. It can become iconic or head the anti-top. But it doesn’t matter — in skilled hands, a knife is a deadly weapon for finishing off enemies.

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