The Riot Gun Buddy — often called the “Fist Bump” — is one of the rarest and most coveted cosmetics in Valorant. Unlike weapon skins you can buy in the store, this exclusive charm can’t be purchased. It’s Riot’s way of rewarding players who go above and beyond in demonstrating good sportsmanship.
If you’ve ever seen a player with one of these bold red, black, and white fists on their weapon, here’s everything you need to know about how to get one.
What is the Riot Gun Buddy?
The Riot Gun Buddy is a small weapon accessory shaped like a single raised fist, designed in red, black, and white — the official Riot Games color scheme. You can equip it on any weapon through your Collection.
Because Riot only awards it manually, owning one has become a status symbol — a visual proof that Riot staff personally recognized your positive impact on the game.
How to Get a Riot Gun Buddy
Riot has made it very clear: the only way to get this gun buddy is by being a positive, supportive member of the Valorant community. This means:
- Showing Good Sportsmanship — Encouraging teammates, staying calm under pressure, and not engaging in toxicity.
- Demonstrating Game Integrity — Playing fair, avoiding exploits or cheats, and respecting competitive rules.
- Helping Others — Teaching new players, offering constructive advice, and helping maintain a good in-game environment.
The Official Process
Unlike most in-game rewards, there’s no “apply” button or store purchase for the Riot Gun Buddy. Riot staff award it manually when they encounter you in-game or receive reports of exceptional behavior. Here’s how it works:
- In-Game Observation: If you happen to be in the same match as a Riot employee and they notice your exceptional sportsmanship, they may nominate you.
- Community Reports: If your behavior is consistently praised by others through commendations or reports sent to Riot, you may be considered.
- Riot Review: A Riot Games staff member will manually review your account and match history before awarding the buddy.
Important Rules
- You can’t request it through Support: Submitting tickets asking for a Riot Gun Buddy will not get you one.
- You can’t trade or gift it: It’s account-bound and can’t be sold, traded, or given away.
- No random giveaways: Any website or streamer claiming to “give away” a Riot Gun Buddy is a scam.
- Behavior matters long-term: One good game won’t earn it — Riot looks at your overall behavior over time.
Tips to Increase Your Chances
While you can’t force Riot to notice you, these behaviors improve your chances:
Avoid all forms of harassment or toxicity.
Use voice and text chat to give constructive callouts.
Help resolve team conflicts instead of escalating them.
Play to win without belittling teammates who make mistakes.
Consistently display patience with newer or less skilled players.
When You’ll Receive It
If you are chosen, the Riot Gun Buddy will appear in your account within a few weeks of being selected. You’ll also get an in-game notification confirming the reward.
Remember: this is one of the rarest items in Valorant — don’t expect it to happen quickly. Many players go years without earning one.
Can You Lose a Riot Gun Buddy?
Yes. If you receive it and later engage in toxic or abusive behavior, Riot can remove it from your account. This keeps the reward aligned with its purpose — recognizing players who set a positive example.
Why Riot Keeps It Exclusive
The Riot Gun Buddy’s rarity helps it remain a symbol of true community contribution. If it were purchasable, it would lose its meaning. By keeping it exclusive, Riot ensures it’s tied directly to the culture they want to promote in Valorant.
FAQ: Riot Gun Buddy in Valorant
- Can I buy the Riot Gun Buddy in the Valorant store?
No. The Riot Gun Buddy is not available for purchase and cannot be obtained through any in-game store offers. - Do Riot staff give the Gun Buddy to professional players automatically?
No. Pro players don’t get it by default — they must earn it like any other player through positive community impact. - If I’m nice for one match, will I get it?
Unlikely. Riot looks at your overall behavior over a long period, not just one or two games. - Will streaming or creating content help me get noticed?
Not directly. Riot’s decision is based on sportsmanship and integrity, not popularity. However, positive content creation may reflect well on your community contribution. - What happens if I lose the Riot Gun Buddy for bad behavior?
It will be permanently removed from your account, and there’s no appeal process to get it back. - Can I ask a Riot employee in-game to give it to me?
You can, but it won’t work. Asking for it directly is discouraged and doesn’t influence the decision.
If you truly want the Riot Gun Buddy, focus on being a consistently positive and supportive player. Even if you never receive the reward, you’ll be contributing to a better Valorant community — and that’s worth more than any cosmetic.
