Operator TTK (0-2147483647m)

1 shots to kill (shot 1 comes at t = 0s) = 0s

Vandal TTK (0-30m)

4 shots to kill (shot 1 comes at t = 0s) = 3 shots/(9.75 shots/s) = .307s

Phantom TTK (15-30m)

5 shots to kill (shot 1 comes at t = 0s) = 5 shots/(11 shots/s) = .364s

(Yeah these engagement ranges are cherry picked but they're common and frankly it shouldn't have a faster ttk at any range.)

What was Riot smoking when they thought this was a good idea?

Yes, the Vandal/Phantom can 1-2 shot to the head, but the problem is the low effort required to beat those weapons with the operator with bodyshots. The recoil pattern on the operator is minimal, and the spread (random inaccuracy) is high, inherently making it a low skill weapon that encourages spraying to the body.

A $4700 weapon should not be allowed to do that.