Valorant: 5 Rarest Gun Buddies

Gun Buddies, also known as weapon charms, are popular cosmetic accessories that allow players to personalize their weapons in Valorant. Currently, there are over 480 different Gun Buddies available in the game, but many of them are unobtainable for most players. These rare items are typically tied to exclusive events, limited-time partnerships, or competitive achievements, making them highly desirable in the Valorant community.

In this article, we explore the rarest Gun Buddies in Valorant, how they were obtained, and why they’ve become such coveted collectibles among players.

5. Premier Ignition Champions Buddy

Introduced in 2023, the Premier Ignition Champions Buddy is awarded only to players who win a Premier Stage Championship. Premier is Valorant’s official team-based competitive mode that bridges the gap between ranked and pro play. To earn this Buddy, players must build a team, qualify through weekly matches, and defeat top opponents in playoff brackets. Only stage champions earn this reward, making it an exclusive charm that reflects both skill and teamwork.

4. Radiant Buddy

The Radiant Buddy is not event-locked, but it’s one of the hardest Gun Buddies to obtain due to its high requirement: reaching Radiant rank, the top 500 players in a region during a competitive episode. At the end of each episode, only Radiant players receive this exclusive charm, representing peak performance and elite status. If you see someone with this Buddy, you know you’re up against one of the best.

3. Year One Buddy

Released during Episode 3, Act 1, the Year One Buddy was part of Valorant’s 1st anniversary celebration. It features a cake design with a lit candle, symbolizing Valorant’s birthday. This charm was available only to players who logged in during the YR1 event pass in 2021. It also came with unique player cards, sprays, and titles, making it a nostalgic favorite among long-time fans.

2. VCT 2021 Spark Buddy

The VCT 2021 Spark Buddy was a reward for tuning into Valorant’s first-ever world championship—Valorant Champions 2021. Players who linked their Riot account and watched the grand finals broadcast received this charm. It commemorates Acend’s championship win and the beginning of Valorant’s international esports legacy. Since this Buddy was never made available again, it remains a rare memento of a historic esports milestone.

1. Pay Respects Buddy

A fan-favorite and meme-worthy item, the Pay Respects Buddy is inspired by the legendary "Press F to pay respects" moment from Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. Valorant adapted this cultural reference into a Gun Buddy with a simple “F” key on a tag. It was originally distributed through a Prime Gaming drop, but after Riot ended its partnership with Amazon Prime Gaming in 2023, the charm became permanently unobtainable. Its clever design, limited release window, and cultural relevance make it one of the rarest Gun Buddies in the game.

Honorable Mention: Closed Beta Buddy

Although not in the top five, the Closed Beta Buddy deserves special mention. Awarded to all players who participated in Valorant’s Closed Beta between April 7 and May 28, 2020, this Buddy features a stylized letter “B”, representing those who helped shape the early days of the game. It's a badge of honor for the game’s earliest supporters and can no longer be obtained by new players.

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