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A tactical upgrade to the SR-3M, with a large suppressor for the purpose of being used by Russian special-ops troops. High damage up close, but lacking damage at range.
–In-game description


The AS VAL is a Russian Integrally Suppressed Assault Rifle available in Phantom Forces. It is unlocked at rank 15 or could be purchased using credits.

History[]

The AS Val (Russian: Aвтомат Специальный Вал or Avtomat Special'nyj Val, English: Automatic Special Shaft) is an integrally suppressed assault rifle designed by TsNIITochMash in the late 1980s as a specialized weapon for Russian special forces. Given the operations that Russian special forces carried out, a more powerful, suppressed and shorter ranged weapon was required. 

Initially, the weapon was based on the Kalashnikov design and does retain some similar controls as AK rifles, such as having the charging handle located on the right-hand side and the ability to use the AK (and SVU's) universal side mount for various optical attachments. It is fitted with an integral suppressor and is chambered in the 9×39mm subsonic ammunition. 

Being designed as a short-range, close-quarters-combat (CQC) focused assault rifle, the AS VAL is made to be small and more compact, featuring a folding stock. This is unlike its sniper version, the VSS Vintorez, the AS VAL has a foldable skeleton stock. The ASM VAL, a modernization of the AS VAL, comes with new features such as a railed dust cover and a mount for grips.

The AS VAL is currently used by the special forces and reconnaissance divisions of the Russian Army, as well as the MVD and FSB special forces in limited numbers.[1]

In-Game[]

General Information[]

The AS VAL is a powerful assault rifle. It sports moderately high damage, being a three-shot kill (3SK) up close and a 5SK at longer ranges. The range is fairly short however given the integral suppressor, with damage beginning to drop off at 60 studs and stopping at 90 studs. The Rate of Fire (RoF) is average for an assault rifle, at 800 RPM. Muzzle velocity is very poor for its class, due to the integrated suppressor, at 1500 studs per second. This results in the AS VAL having a pretty good time to kill (TTK) up close. However, the AS VAL's TTK outside of medium range is fairly slow, as a consequence of its slow muzzle velocity and short range. Magazine capacity is smaller for its class, at 20+1 rounds. With an average RoF, the AS VAL has a moderate ammunition consumption rate. Ammunition type is fairly common though, making it easier to resupply. Reload times are relatively quick, requiring 2.3 seconds for a tactical reload and 3.1 seconds for an empty reload. In addition to this, the AS VAL is one of the few weapons able to equip the Extended Magazine attachment option, increasing the magazine capacity to 30 rounds but loses 30 rounds in reserve, from 120 down to 90 rounds in reserve, requiring one to manage their ammunition.

The AS VAL has moderate overall vertical recoil, making keeping track of a target whilst firing in full-auto difficult. Meanwhile, horizontal recoil is less present and per-shot recoil is relatively moderate. The AS VAL also boasts fairly good handling traits. It has a fairly tight hipfire spread and good mobility speed.

Usage & Tactics[]

See also: Community Assault Rifle Strategy

Due to the AS VAL's low TTK at close ranges and its integral suppressor, the AS VAL excels greatly in CQC. It should be noted that when compared to other CQC-oriented weapons, the playstyles the AS VAL favor are not of aggressive rushing tactics but rather stealthy and surprise-based.

Users should avoid a frontal assault into high traffic areas due to the AS VAL's smaller magazine capacity and subsequent risk of needing to reload in the middle of combat. The AS VAL is able to be used in such a manner but is arguably better suited towards gunplay that takes advantage of its integral suppressor. Instead, it is much more viable when flanking and in stealth-based tactics, to get behind enemy lines, where a user can easily take out enemies by surprise and then proceed to run to a different location. These hit-and-run tactics allow the AS VAL to be able to kill small clusters of unsuspecting enemies without being initially detected.  It is also recommended to avoid longer ranged engagements, given the poor muzzle velocity and range of the weapon.

However, even with good trigger control, the smaller capacity of the AS VAL means an entire magazine can be easily used on just one enemy, wasting ammunition. This also means that frequent reloading can result in a user's death if timed incorrectly. This can be remedied with the Extended Magazine attachment, at the cost to the user's ammunition reserve amount, and one should manage it carefully. Eliminating enemies individually rather than in groups can also mitigate the issue of frequent reloading. Coupled with the element of surprise, a user may be able to kill a decent sized group of enemies without being detected.

In regards to attachments, the iron sights are suitable for close range engagements but any optic will provide better precision. A low-magnification optic such as the Kobra Sight is a good choice for such distances. Given the integral suppressor, the AS VAL is unable to attach any meaningful barrel attachments, meaning recoil reduction is done solely through grips and user input. For grip attachments, the Stubby or Folding Grip are suitable options to help mitigate the high recoil of the AS VAL. Alternatively, one can equip the Vertical Grip and focus on hipfiring, particularly when paired with a laser, a good choice given the hipfire accuracy of the AS VAL, although this is subject to user preference.

After the 2021 April Fools Update, the Extended Magazine attachment for the AS VAL was moved to the ammo category. This was made for a scrapped 7.62x39 conversion, but was left in the game regardless. Importantly, this allows the player to combine both the Full Stock and Extended Magazine.

Conclusion[]

Overall, the AS VAL is a primarily CQC oriented weapon that is particularly good at stealthily pulling off flanking maneuvers with its integral suppressor. Although its magazine size may be a detriment to some players, this can be mitigated with the Extended Magazine. Even without the Extended Magazine, its integral suppressor, fast RoF, and quick reloads are all boons when fighting in confined spaces.

Pros & Cons[]

Pros:

  • Good rate of fire (RoF).
  • 3 shot kill up to 60 studs.
  • Very low recoil, even without attachments - can allow the AS VAL to muscle through its steep damage drop.
  • Integrally suppressed.
  • Fast reload time.
  • Very clear iron sights.

Cons:

  • Small magazine.
  • Very low muzzle velocity.
  • Long reload time with the Extended Magazine.

Trivia[]

  • The AS VAL was the second weapon added into Phantom Forces with an integral suppressor.
  • The AS VAL was originally classified as a personal defense weapon but was placed under the assault rifle category after update 0.9.0.
  • The AS VAL is the first integrally suppressed gun a player can use, being unlocked at rank 15.
  • Similar to the VSS Vintorez, the AS VAL can equip a Suppressor..?, its sole purpose being to pitch up the sound of the gun, and is available after 5000 kills or can be purchased with credits.
  • The Extended Magazine attachment makes the AS VAL the ASM VAL.

Update History[]

Update Description Note
Beta Introduced
??? Damage changed to 33->20 (originally 30->19)
0.6.0 Damage changed to 34->24 (previously 33->20)
0.9.0 Weapon remodeled.

Reclassified as an Assault Rifle. New reload animation added. Recoil adjusted - more camera recoil, less gun model recoil.

0.9.6 Suppressor masking range buffed (40 stud radius -> 20 stud radius).
0.13.3 Reloading made faster Specifics unknown
2.0.0 Rebalanced as part of the CTE changes.

New sounds.

Specifics unknown
3.11.0 PSO-1 Scope added
3.13.0 Minimum damage range increased to 135.

Reduced minimum damage to 20.

Previous values unknown (see 2.0.0)
3.14.1 Minimum damage range decreased to 75 (was 135).
4.3.0 Ammo changed to 9x39mm SP (was 9x39mm WP, a misspelling)

Extended Mags reserve reduced to 60 (from 90)

Extended Mags nerf was undone in a hotfix
4.6.0 Damage reduced to 34->22 (was 34->24).

Extended Mags now reduce ammo reserve to 90 (from 120).

References[]

Weaponry
Primary Weapons

Assault Rifles

AK12 - AN-94 - AS VAL - SCAR-L - AUG A1 - M16A4 - G36
M16A1 - M16A3 - AUG A2 - K2 - FAMAS F1 - AK47 - AUG A3 - L85A2
HK416 - AK74 - AKM - AK103 - TAR-21 - StG-44 - M231
Type 88 - C7A2 - G11K2 - Type 20

Personal Defense Weapons

MP5K - UMP45 - G36C - MP7 - MAC10 - P90 - Colt MARS - MP5
Colt SMG 633 - L2A3 - MP5SD - MP10 - MP5/10 - Uzi - M3A1
AUG A3 Para - K7 - AKS74U - PPSh-41 - FAL Para Shorty
PP-19 Bizon - Kriss Vector - MP40 - X95 SMG - Tommy Gun
RAMA 1130 - BWC-9

Light Machine Guns

Colt LMG - M60 - AUG HBAR - MG36 - RPK12 - L86 LSW - RPK
HK21 - HAMR IAR - RPK74 - MG3KWS - Stoner 96 - ChainSAW - MG42 - M1918A2

Sniper Rifles

Intervention - Model 700 - Dragunov SVU - AWS - BFG 50
AWM - TRG-42 - Mosin Nagant - K14 - Dragunov SVDS - Hecate II
M107 - Steyr Scout - WA2000 - NTW-20 - FT300 - M1903

Carbines

M4A1 - G36K - M4 - L22 - SCAR PDW - AKU12 - Groza-1
AK12C - Honey Badger - K1A - SR-3M - Groza-4 - MC51SD
FAL 50.63 Para - 1858 Carbine - AK105 - Jury - KAC SRR
Gyrojet Carbine - X95R - HK51B - C8A2 - OTs-126 - Can Cannon

Designated Marksman Rifles

MK11 - SKS - SL-8 - VSS Vintorez - MSG90 - Beowulf TCR
SA58 SPR - SCAR SSR - M21

Battle Rifles

Beowulf ECR - SCAR-H - AK12BR - G3A3 - AG-3 - HK417
Henry 45-70 - FAL 50.00 - M14 - HCAR

Shotguns

KSG-12 - Model 870 - DBV12 - KS-23M - Saiga-12
Stevens DB - AA-12 - SPAS-12 - DT11 - E-Gun - USAS-12

Secondary Weapons Pistols

M9 - M17 - G17 - M1911 - Desert Eagle L5 - GI M1 - Hardballer
Izhevsk PB - M45A1 - KG-99 - Five Seven - ZIP 22 - Makarov PM - AM III Grizzly - GB-22 - Desert Eagle XIX - Gyrojet Mark I - GSP - G21 - G23
G40 - G50 - M2011 - AF2011-A1 - Alien

Machine Pistols

G18 - 93R - TEC-9 - Micro Uzi - Škorpion vz. 61 - MP1911
Arm Pistol - ASMI - PP-2000

Revolvers

MP412 REX - Mateba 6 - 1858 New Army - Redhawk 44
Judge - Executioner

Other

Serbu Shotgun - SFG 50 - M79 Thumper - Sawed Off
Saiga-12U - Obrez - Coilgun - SASS 308

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