Stinger

The Stinger has been changed in 6 patches since the closed beta, most recently in patch 11.08. Each entry links to the full notes for that patch.

1. Patch 11.08 October 14, 2025
   • Full Auto
     • Nerf Total spread increased from 1.3 → 1.5
     • Nerf Total spread accrued faster from 7 bullets → 6 bullets
     • Nerf Vertical (Pitch) recoil curve increases more aggressively
       • Total recoil is unchanged

   • Full Auto
     • Nerf Vertical (Pitch) recoil curve increases more aggressively
       • Total recoil is unchanged
2. Patch 6.02 February 7, 2023
   • Cost increased 950 → 1100

   • Damage fall-off changed:
     • Previously:
       • 27 damage per bullet (0 - 20m)
       • 25 damage per bullet (20m+)
     • Now:
       • 27 damage per bullet (0 - 15m)
       • 23 damage per bullet (15m+)
3. Patch 5.06 September 20, 2022
   • Primary Fire error adjusted from 1.6 error after 7 bullets → 1.3 error after 6 bullets
     • Our goal for the Stinger is to feel controllable and appropriately lethal at short ranges, but currently, even in close-quarters, it can feel out-of-control. Lowering the top spread should make it feel more reliable at the appropriate range once you’ve overcome the learning curve of the recoil.

   • Alt Fire first shot error adjusted from.5 →.35
     • For an option that's about being more accurate, it felt like the first shot had more variance than we'd like, especially at the ranges you'd want to use the burst fire mode.
4. Patch 4.07 April 12, 2022
   • Bulldog and Stinger now delay firing inputs while bringing up the weapon to aim down sights (ADS)
     • Prevents you from getting burst mode accuracy improvements before they finish raising your weapon.
     • Adds a slight cost to the decision to switch to burst firing mid-combat.
     • You can still begin firing immediately while switching back to full auto/hip fire mode.
5. Patch 3.0 June 22, 2021
   • Cost decreased 1100 → 950
6. Patch 2.03 February 17, 2021
   • Price increased from 1000 → 1100

   • Full auto fire rate reduced from 18 → 16

   • Full auto fire now reaches max spread at bullet 4, instead of bullet 6

   • Adjusted pitch (vertical) recoil curve for full auto, recoil climbs more aggressively past the 3rd bullet

   • Adjusted pitch (vertical) recoil to be more aggressive after the first burst

   • Added more error on bursts after the first one

   • Improved recovery time on burst mode from.45 →.4

Patch change data adapted from Patch Notes on the VALORANT Wiki, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0.