- The Valorant V26 Act 1 update will introduce a new pistol named the Bandit.
- The gun is an economical, more forgiving cannon that trades the Sheriff's raw power for better handling.
- V26 Act 1 will be released on January 8, 2026.
Valorant, Riot’s evergreen tactical shooter, is about welcome Act 1 of the 2026 Season, the reveal for which was accompanied by a dark, melancholic cinematic. Released on the game’s official YouTube channel, the cinematic centers around Viper and her role as the catalyst for inter-world hostilities.
As for what players can expect to see in the upcoming Act, the devs hosted an event showcasing a variety of new skins and melees. But what caught the eye of fans was the silhouette of what appears to be a brand-new Pistol. Reportedly named ‘Bandit,’ the weapon is all set to join the Valorant arsenal when Act 1 launches on January 8, 2026.
The Valorant Bandit Pistol Headlines V26 Act 1
The new Bandit pistol can be seen clear as day in this image from the Valorant V26 event. Its design is unlike any other weapon in the class, featuring a ported barrel and a buttstock. In fact, if you squint, it looks like the RE-45 from Apex Legends. Unlike the automatic weapon, the Bandit is a precision pistol, which is capable of dealing one-tap headshots.
In terms of weapon types in the sidearms category, we’ve already got a standard pistol, the fast-firing Ghost, the full-auto Frenzy, and the Deagle-esque Sheriff. The only outlier in terms of weapon type is a burst pistol, but the Bandit isn’t plugging that gap. Instead, the gun is an economical, more forgiving cannon that trades the Sheriff’s raw power for better handling.
In terms of round economy, the Bandit slots right in between the Ghost and the Sheriff at 600 credits.
It remains to be seen just how effective the Bandit is in combat, although fans will welcome it with open arms since it’s the first new weapon Valorant has introduced in a year.
So, are you looking forward to the new Act this week? Let us know in the comments.
