VALORANT Phaseguard Ghost Animation Pays Tribute to Real-Life Combat Technique

Real life weapons being a reference for a shooter game, not unheard of Billy Vu Lam, a Senior Animator at Riot Games, just shared behind the scenes action on Twitter and it's all about the Phaseguard Ghost skin. In the post, he broke down how the weapon’s animations were crafted, with a special focus on the center axis relock (CAR) technique, a real-world shooting method that’s rarely seen in games. Let’s get into it

What’s New With Phaseguard Ghost?

The clip shared by Billy reveals unique animations built into the Phaseguard Ghost skin, including:

• A center axis relock idle pose

• A sharp, tactical equip animation

• A smooth reload

• And a clean, satisfying inspect animation

These aren’t just aesthetic flourishes, they’re all grounded in realism, aiming to enhance the Ghost’s feel as a precision weapon in high-stakes moments and honestly the way he even handles the gun in real life is just mesmerizing .

What’s the CAR Technique?

In case you’re not familiar, Center Axis Relock (CAR) is a close-quarters combat stance popularized by Paul Castle. The goal? Maximize control, minimize movement, and dominate tight angles. It’s often used in tactical training for its efficiency in room clearing and point shooting, making it a perfect match for a weapon like the Ghost, known for clutch headshots and stealthy plays.

By animating the Phaseguard Ghost using CAR movements, Riot brings in a whole new layer of authenticity — it’s more than just flash, it’s functionally immersive.

Upgrade to Unlock

As part of the Phaseguard Collection, the Ghost skin needs to be fully upgraded to access these custom animations and equipped variants. It’s a smart move that ties into Riot’s broader push for tactical skin customization, encouraging players to invest in the skin line while keeping the experience tied to VALORANT’s grounded, tactical shooter vibe.

Between the sleek design and now this layer of animation detail rooted in real-world combat, the Phaseguard Ghost is more than just another skin. It’s a flex for both your aim and your knowledge of firearms technique. If you’re the type who notices how your agent holds their weapon mid-lurk, this skin might hit differently.