Arc Raiders Best Weapons & Tier List (Starter and Meta Picks)

Arc Raiders Best Weapons

In Arc Raiders, choosing the best weapons is crucial if you want smooth, consistent extractions and fewer failed runs. In this guide, we break down the best starter weapons and the overall best weapons in Arc Raiders, explaining why each option sits in its tier, what playstyles it fits, and how its strengths and weaknesses affect your performance. Whether you’re a new player or optimizing late-game loadouts, this Arc Raiders weapons overview will help you pick the right gun for every raid.

Arc Raiders Best Weapons – Key Takeaways

• The best starter weapons in Arc Raiders are Rattler, Kettle, and Bobcat – they are easy to use, forgiving for beginners, and strong enough to carry you through early raids.
• The overall best weapons in Arc Raiders include Tempest, Anvil, Bobcat, Rattler, and Vulcano, offering top damage, reliability, and utility for higher-difficulty content and red zones.
• When choosing the best weapon for your build, always consider your preferred weapon type, ammo economy, firing mode (single, burst, or full-auto), recoil control, and effective range.
• Rarity is not everything – not all Uncommon, Rare, or Epic weapons belong in the S-tier. Focus on actual in-raid performance, handling, and synergy with your loadout, rather than just the color or rarity tag.

Arc Raiders Weapon Tier List

Tier	Weapons
S	Tempest, Anvil, Bobcat, Rattler, Vulcano
A	Renegade, Osprey, Jupiter, Venator, Ferro
B	Stitcher, Burletta, Equalizer, Il Toro, Hullcracker, Arpeggio
C	Hairpin, Kettle, Torrente

Here’s our updated Arc Raiders Weapon Tier List, where every weapon is ranked based on overall performance, ease of use, and consistency during extractions and combat encounters. We evaluate how each gun behaves in real raids: its damage output, recoil, ammo efficiency, and reliability under pressure. Whether you prefer long-range firefights, mid-range skirmishes, or close-quarters ambushes and traps, this tier list will show you which Arc Raiders weapons are worth crafting, upgrading, and keeping in your main loadout — and which ones you can safely dismantle or stash.

S-Tier Weapons in Arc Raiders

S-tier Arc Raiders weapons stand at the top of the meta thanks to their raw power, accuracy, and versatility. These guns shine in both PvE and PvP scenarios, especially during high-stakes extractions where every bullet matters. S-tier weapons deliver a strong combination of high burst damage, stable DPS, excellent ammo economy, and reliable handling.

You pick these weapons when you need something you can trust in any situation — from clearing waves of enemies to clutching tense encounters against other Raiders. If you want builds that feel smooth, forgiving, and incredibly lethal even in endgame content, S-tier weapons are the foundation of your best Arc Raiders loadouts.

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Tempest

The Tempest is one of the best assault rifles in Arc Raiders for aggressive, fast-paced gameplay. Designed for rapid pushes and continuous pressure, it fires a steady stream of medium ammo while maintaining impressive stability, even during long bursts. Thanks to its balanced recoil pattern and strong DPS, the Tempest melts drones and light ARC units before they can close the gap, making it ideal for controlling lanes and suppressing enemies around extraction zones.

Category: Assault Rifle (Epic)
Ammo: Medium
Firing Mode: Fully Automatic

Strengths:

• High damage per second, allowing you to quickly shred drones and lighter enemies.
• Manageable recoil that stays predictable during extended bursts.
• Reliable mid-range accuracy, perfect for pushing objectives and holding chokepoints.

Weaknesses:

• Burns through ammunition quickly, demanding good ammo management or backup weapons.
• Loses effectiveness at long range where damage drop-off and recoil make it harder to land consistent hits.

The Tempest truly shines in the hands of mobile, confident players who like to stay on the move and spray accurately while repositioning. It’s especially strong during extraction fights, where suppressive fire and continuous damage help your team hold positions, deny space to enemies, and secure safe evac routes.

Anvil

The Anvil in Arc Raiders is a devastating hand cannon that hits like a truck and heavily rewards accurate shooting. Firing powerful heavy rounds, it can delete most standard ARC units in just a few well-placed shots. While it doesn’t handle as quickly as SMGs or assault rifles, the Anvil excels in close-to-mid-range encounters, where its massive per-shot damage and high headshot multiplier can swing fights in your favor instantly.

Type: Hand Cannon (Uncommon)
Ammo: Heavy
Firing Mode: Single-Action

Strengths:

• Extremely high damage per shot, capable of dropping enemies in just a few hits.
• Strong headshot bonus, making it lethal in the hands of accurate players.
• Performs consistently well against armored and tankier ARC targets.

Weaknesses:

• Slow reload speed that punishes missed shots and poor timing.
• Limited magazine size and overall ammo capacity, requiring careful target selection.

The Anvil is best suited for players who prefer precision over spraying, taking controlled fights and going for headshots rather than dumping magazines. It works especially well when paired with defensive tools like a shield or crowd-control gadgets such as lure grenades, giving you a safe window to line up shots. Use it as a high-impact secondary or primary in builds focused on burst damage, ambushes, and quickly deleting priority targets during raids and extractions.

Bobcat

The Bobcat SMG is all about mobility, pressure, and close-quarters dominance. Built for fast-paced gameplay, it sprays bullets at a high rate and lets you stay light on your feet, making it perfect for flanking routes, aggressive pushes, and quick hit-and-run raids. At short distances its recoil is easy to handle, allowing you to keep your aim on target even while sliding, strafing, or jumping. However, the weapon’s accuracy drops off quickly at longer ranges, so it’s best used up close where it can truly shine.

Type: Submachine Gun (Epic)
Ammo: Light
Firing Mode: Fully Automatic

Strengths:

• Very high fire rate that shreds enemies in close-quarters fights.
• Excellent mobility, ideal for flanks, repositioning, and evasive movement.
• Extremely comfortable in tight spaces, corridors, and indoor engagements.

Weaknesses:

• Struggles against heavily armored targets without proper support.
• Burns through light ammo quickly, forcing frequent reloads and resupplies.
• Poor performance at mid-to-long range due to damage drop-off and spread.

The Bobcat is the embodiment of a fast, assertive Arc Raiders playstyle. It rewards players who like to stay constantly on the move, dive into chaotic fights, and overwhelm opponents before they can react. If you enjoy aggressive entries, close-range duels, and high-tempo extraction fights, the Bobcat is one of the best SMGs to build your Arc Raiders loadout around.

Rattler

The Rattler is a classic all-rounder assault rifle in Arc Raiders: fast, reliable, and surprisingly easy to control. This fully automatic rifle excels in mid-range engagements and suppressive fire, letting you lock down lanes, support teammates, and steadily chip away at enemies. While it reloads in a slightly unusual way—two rounds at a time—its overall balance between accuracy, fire rate, and handling keeps it firmly in top-tier territory for both early and late-game content.

Type: Assault Rifle (Common)
Ammo: Medium
Firing Mode: Fully Automatic

Strengths:

• Consistent performance across most ranges and encounter types.
• Fast fire rate that provides solid DPS without being too hard to control.
• Highly adaptable, making it viable for solo runs, duos, and full squad play.

Weaknesses:

• Burns through medium ammo quickly if you rely on constant spraying.
• Recoil is average, requiring some control during prolonged bursts.

The Rattler is effective for both new and experienced Arc Raiders players because it offers just the right mix of stability, damage, and flexibility. It’s a great “comfort pick” when you’re unsure what to bring, and it fits naturally into many builds as a primary weapon for raids, open-world encounters, and extraction fights alike. If you want one weapon that can handle nearly any situation reasonably well, the Rattler is one of the safest and most dependable choices in the game.

Vulcano

The Vulcano semi-auto shotgun is a monster in tight corridors and close-quarters engagements. Thanks to its semi-automatic firing mode, Vulcano shoots significantly faster than standard pump-action shotguns, letting you fire rapid follow-up shots and delete enemies before they can react. It absolutely melts targets at short range, making it one of the strongest choices for tunnel fights, building clears, and defending extraction points. Just keep in mind that its stopping power drops off sharply once enemies are outside its effective range.

Type: Semi-Auto Shotgun (Epic)
Ammo: Shotgun Ammo
Firing Mode: Semi-Automatic

Strengths:

• Extremely high burst damage that can wipe squads in just a few shots up close.
• Dominates close quarters, ideal for chokepoints, stairwells, and enclosed objectives.
• Rapid follow-up shots thanks to its semi-auto nature, making misses less punishing than with pump shotguns.

Weaknesses:

• Very low effective range; damage and pellet spread fall off quickly at mid to long distances.
• Limited ammo pool, so you must pick your fights and reload smartly.
• Poor performance against distant targets, forcing you to rely on positioning and secondary weapons.

The Vulcano is perfect for aggressive players and close-range specialists who like to push into enemy territory or anchor critical points on the map. Use it to break enemy pushes, shut down rushes, and lock down choke points when escape routes are limited and every corner could hide a threat. Paired with mobility tools or a reliable mid-range secondary, Vulcano becomes a cornerstone of many of the best Arc Raiders close-quarters loadouts.

A-Tier Weapons in Arc Raiders

A-tier weapons in Arc Raiders offer an excellent mix of control, ammo efficiency, and raw firepower. While they might not always match the absolute peak damage or meta dominance of S-tier guns, they are far more forgiving and user-friendly in real raid conditions. Their recoil patterns are easier to manage, their ammo consumption is more sustainable, and they fit a wider variety of playstyles.

These A-tier Arc Raiders guns are ideal for players who want consistent performance without needing perfect aim or advanced mechanics. They shine in hectic raids, chaotic extractions, and longer runs where survivability, stability, and reliability matter as much as maximum DPS. If you’re still learning the game or just want weapons that feel comfortable in nearly any situation, A-tier options will often be your safest and most dependable picks.

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Renegade

The Renegade lever-action rifle is one of the most rewarding A-tier weapons in Arc Raiders for players who value precision and high-impact shots. It delivers massive damage per bullet while maintaining strong accuracy over medium and long distances. Thanks to its high base damage, the Renegade is excellent at shattering armor and quickly deleting larger ARC units, making it a powerful choice for dealing with tougher enemies before they overwhelm your team.

The timing of its lever-action firing cycle takes a bit of practice, but once you master the rhythm, the Renegade becomes an incredibly satisfying and lethal rifle to use in raids and extractions.

Type: Battle Rifle (Rare)
Ammo: Medium
Firing Mode: Lever-Action

Strengths:

• Very high single-shot damage, ideal for bursting down key targets.
• Great effective range with solid accuracy at distance.
• Good penetration, making it strong against armored ARC enemies and clustered targets.

Weaknesses:

• Lower rate of fire that heavily punishes missed shots.
• Requires good timing and positioning to stay effective in chaotic fights.

Overall, the Renegade is perfect for players who like to take careful, deliberate shots and have strong single-shot accuracy. If you enjoy playing as a marksman who picks off threats methodically while supporting your team from mid-to-long range, this battle rifle is a standout pick in the Arc Raiders A-tier category.

Osprey

The Osprey is a dedicated sniper rifle in Arc Raiders built for long-range power and precision. It delivers a tremendous amount of damage per shot and maintains excellent accuracy across extended distances, allowing you to safely pick off enemies before they ever get close to your squad. The Osprey is especially effective at deleting high-priority targets, such as elite ARC units and dangerous ranged enemies, making it a valuable tool in coordinated teams.

Type: Sniper Rifle (Rare)
Ammo: Medium
Firing Mode: Bolt-Action

Strengths:

• Very high per-shot damage that can one- or two-shot many enemies.
• Long-range precision, ideal for holding angles and controlling open areas.
• Extremely effective against ARC elites and priority targets that threaten your team.

Weaknesses:

• Slow firing rate due to its bolt-action mechanism.
• Weak in close combat, especially if enemies manage to push into your position.

The Osprey works best on maps with clear elevation, long sightlines, and well-defined firing lanes, where you can stay at range and support your squad from a safe vantage point. It’s a great choice for players who enjoy a sniper role, focusing on information, positioning, and picking off key enemies before they can pressure the team during raids and extractions.

Jupiter

The Jupiter is a high-impact energy sniper rifle in Arc Raiders, built for squads that coordinate their shots and positioning. It offers strong penetration and reliable hit registration, allowing you to punch through targets and punish exposed enemies at range. While it’s not as pinpoint-accurate as traditional ballistic snipers due to the quirks of energy ammunition, its high damage per shot still makes it a serious threat in the hands of a skilled marksman.

Because of its ammo type and handling, Jupiter shines most in organized team play, where other teammates can help control space, feed information, and cover your reload windows. For solo players, it can feel unforgiving and inconsistent, which is why it’s generally not recommended if you’re running alone.

Type: Energy Sniper (Legendary)
Ammo: Energy
Firing Mode: Bolt-Action

Strengths:

• Strong penetration that lets you punish lined-up enemies and armored targets.
• Good long-range consistency once you learn the weapon’s energy projectile behavior.
• Excellent pick for coordinated teams that can capitalize on long-range picks.

Weaknesses:

• Slow reload that leaves you vulnerable if you miss or get rushed.
• Energy ammo is harder to maintain and resupply compared to regular ballistic rounds.

Overall, the Jupiter is ideal for Arc Raiders players who value team synergy, map control, and long-range pressure. Use it to soften or eliminate priority targets before your squad pushes in, and always pair it with a more reliable close- to mid-range secondary to cover its weaknesses when enemies get too close.

Venator

The Venator is a versatile semi-automatic pistol in Arc Raiders, designed as a flexible sidearm that can handle a wide range of engagement distances. It excels at rapid follow-up shots and sustained fire, making it a fantastic secondary weapon for players who frequently swap between their primary and backup gun. Whether you’re finishing off weakened enemies or dealing with sudden close-quarters pressure, Venator offers a smooth and responsive rhythm.

Its medium ammo type and easy handling make it a cost-effective option that won’t drain your main ammo pools too quickly. While it doesn’t hit as hard as rifles or shotguns on a per-shot basis, its stable mid-range accuracy and fast rate of fire make up for the lower raw damage.

Type: Pistol (Rare)
Ammo: Medium
Firing Mode: Semi-Automatic

Strengths:

• Good fire rate that allows you to stack damage quickly on exposed targets.
• Very easy to control, with low recoil and comfortable aiming.
• Stable accuracy at mid-range, making it more useful than most sidearms in open fights.

Weaknesses:

• Falls off significantly at long distances where rifles and snipers dominate.
• Moderate per-shot damage compared to heavy-hitting primaries.

Thanks to its forgiving handling and low ammo cost, the Venator is suitable for both new and experienced players. It’s an excellent backup for snipers, shotgunners, or battle rifle users who need a reliable sidearm when their primary is reloading, out of ammo, or poorly suited for the current engagement range.

Ferro

The Ferro is a precision break-action rifle built for Arc Raiders players who love calculated, high-risk, high-reward shots. It delivers massive single-round damage, making it absolutely deadly against heavy ARC units, elite enemies, or players caught out of cover. When you connect with a well-placed shot, Ferro often ends the fight immediately, especially if you aim for critical weak points.

However, its slow reload speed and break-action design make it one of the least forgiving weapons in the game. Missing your shot can leave you exposed and vulnerable, so Ferro demands patience, strong positioning, and good game sense. In the right hands, though, it’s easily one of the strongest Arc Raiders weapons for burst damage and long-range punishes.

Type: Break-Action Rifle (Common)
Ammo: Heavy
Firing Mode: Break-Action

Strengths:

• Enormous penetration that tears through armor and high-HP targets.
• Excellent effective range, ideal for long sightlines and open environments.
• Devastating impact when used to secure headshots or hit critical weak spots.

Weaknesses:

• Very slow reload time, punishing missed or poorly timed shots.
• Weak in close-quarters combat due to its firing cadence and handling.

Use the Ferro as a primary sniping tool or as a specialized backup to finish armored enemies when you need them gone immediately. It pairs well with SMGs, pistols, or shotguns that can cover its weaknesses in close-range fights. For players who enjoy the “one shot, one kill” mentality and don’t mind playing patiently, Ferro is one of the most satisfying and lethal weapons in Arc Raiders.

B Tier Weapons in Arc Raiders

B-tier weapons in Arc Raiders are reliable but situational tools. They can absolutely perform well, but usually only in specific builds, playstyles, or team compositions. They lack the universal power, flexibility, and carry potential of higher-tier guns, yet if you understand their limitations and strengths, you can still get solid, consistent results from them. Think of B-tier weapons as good fallback options or temporary picks while you’re grinding toward better gear.

Stitcher

The Stitcher is a lightweight automatic SMG that shines when you’re constantly on the move. It fires small-caliber bullets at a very high rate, making it a great panic option in chaotic brawls and close-range fights. While each individual shot doesn’t deal a lot of damage, its fast firing speed and excellent mobility allow you to stay alive while push­ing into dangerous areas, disengaging from bad fights, or kiting ARC units around corners.

Type: SMG (Common)
Ammo: Light
Firing Mode: Fully Automatic

Strengths:

• Great mobility, ideal for run-and-gun playstyles and fast repositioning.
• Very high rate of fire that can chip enemies down quickly at close range.
• Good for panic fire during wild battles or when you get ambushed.

Weaknesses:

• Weak armor penetration, making it ineffective against tougher, heavily armored targets.
• Struggles at mid-range and beyond due to low damage and bullet spread.

Overall, the Stitcher is best suited for aggressive players who value speed and evasion over raw firepower. It’s not going to delete armored elites, but it can keep you alive and dangerous in tight spaces, especially early on or as a backup weapon when your main gun is reloading.

Burletta

The Burletta is a light sidearm pistol that performs reasonably well in the early stages of the game. It has a good fire rate, snappy handling, and fast draw speed, which makes it handy in emergencies when your primary runs dry. As a quick backup, it can buy you a few precious seconds to finish off weakened enemies or retreat to cover.

However, Burletta’s low damage and poor penetration mean it falls behind other pistols once you start unlocking or looting stronger alternatives. Its stopping power is limited, so it’s best viewed as a temporary or improvised weapon rather than a core part of your late-game loadout.

Type: Pistol (Uncommon)
Ammo: Light
Firing Mode: Semi-Automatic

Strengths:

• Very light and easy to draw under pressure.
• Decent fire rate and handling, making it usable in clutch situations.
• Works as a basic secondary weapon early on.

Weaknesses:

• Low damage and poor stopping power, especially against armored enemies.
• Weak penetration and low impact in mid- to late-game raids.
• Quickly overshadowed by other, stronger pistols and sidearms.

In short, use the Burletta only until you craft or loot something better. It’s fine as a starter sidearm in Arc Raiders, but for serious raids, extractions, and high-level content, you’ll want to replace it as soon as possible with a more capable pistol or backup weapon.

Equalizer

The Equalizer is one of those Arc Raiders weapons that looks like a future meta powerhouse on paper but falls short in real gameplay. As a Legendary energy beam gun, it offers a flashy, sci-fi design and the theoretical ability to hit multiple targets with a continuous beam. However, its inconsistent damage output and extreme energy ammo consumption hold it back.

In practice, the Equalizer’s beam feels unreliable: damage ticks don’t always line up with how long you’re tracking a target, and it chews through rare energy ammo much faster than most players can sustain during raids or extractions. While its infinite-range concept sounds amazing, the overall DPS simply doesn’t compete with traditional ballistic weapons like assault rifles, hand cannons, or shotguns.

Type: Energy Beam Gun (Legendary)
Ammo: Energy
Firing Mode: Fully Automatic

Strengths:

• Flashy and unique weapon concept with a distinctive beam design.
• Can theoretically hit multiple enemies along the beam path.
• Infinite range in theory, allowing you to tag targets at very long distances.

Weaknesses:

• Highly inconsistent damage output that feels unreliable in serious content.
• Drains rare energy ammo extremely quickly, making it inefficient for longer raids.
• Underperforms against armored targets and high-HP enemies compared to other Arc Raiders best weapons.

The Equalizer is fun to experiment with, but often frustrating in real gameplay. Unless you’re specifically testing meme builds, trying out off-meta weapons, or just having fun in casual runs, you’re usually better off saving your resources and focusing on more dependable guns like Tempest, Anvil, or Rattler.

Il Torro

The Il Torro is a pump-action shotgun that offers decent per-shot damage, but pays a steep price in reload speed, fire rate, and handling. Each shell hits hard enough for early-game encounters, yet the slow pump action makes it extremely risky in close-quarters fights. If you miss a shot, you’ll often struggle to recover before enemies punish you, especially in faster-paced raids.

While Il Torro is relatively simple to craft and can serve as a serviceable early-game shotgun, it quickly falls behind as soon as you unlock stronger options. Compared to the Vulcano, which offers higher burst potential and faster follow-up shots, Il Torro is outclassed in almost every way and becomes hard to justify in mid- or late-game Arc Raiders content.

Type: Pump-Action Shotgun (Uncommon)
Ammo: Shotgun
Firing Mode: Pump-Action

Strengths:

• Good damage per shell, especially in point-blank encounters.
• Easy to craft and obtain, making it a usable early-game choice.
• Works as a temporary solution when you lack better shotguns.

Weaknesses:

• Slow rate of fire and pump action, heavily punishing missed shots.
• Strictly close-range with limited flexibility in open maps.
• Not reliable for high-speed close-quarters combat compared to Vulcano.

Use Il Torro only if you have nothing better available. Once Vulcano, Rattler, or other strong Arc Raiders weapons enter your inventory, Il Torro should be immediately relegated to storage or dismantled. It’s a passable stepping stone early on, but there’s no reason to keep it as part of your long-term best weapons loadout.

Hullcracker

The Hullcracker is a powerful special weapon in Arc Raiders built around delivering raw burst damage. Every shot from this launcher-type weapon hits like a truck, making it incredibly effective against large ARC units, clustered enemies, and Raiders who get caught out of position. When you land a direct hit, Hullcracker can instantly swing the momentum of a fight, especially during intense extraction phases or when defending key objectives.

However, this power comes at a price. The slow rate of fire, pump-action mechanic, and heavy recoil make Hullcracker extremely punishing in close-quarters combat or high-speed engagements. If you miss your shot or mistime your attack, you’re left vulnerable while the weapon cycles and your character recovers from the recoil animation.

Type: Special (Epic)
Ammo: Launcher
Firing Mode: Pump-Action

Strengths:

• Extremely high damage per shot, capable of deleting priority targets.
• Great against clustered enemies, chokepoints, and grouped ARC units.
• Excellent for area denial and opening a fight with a devastating first strike.

Weaknesses:

• Slow pump action makes it unforgiving if you miss your shot.
• Poor mobility and handling compared to rifles and SMGs.
• Risky to use in close-quarters encounters or when you’re being rushed.

Hullcracker is best suited for players who favor positioning, timing, and pre-planned engagements rather than chaotic run-and-gun play. Use it to soften up enemy groups, crack heavy units, or punish teams clumped in tight spaces, but always pair it with a faster, more forgiving primary weapon to cover its weaknesses.

Arpeggio

The Arpeggio is a control-oriented burst rifle tailored for players who enjoy precision and rhythm in their gunplay. Its three-round burst firing mode allows you to land accurate, controlled volleys at medium range, making it ideal for holding angles and punishing enemies who peek carelessly. When you manage recoil correctly and land full bursts on target, Arpeggio delivers solid DPS and feels extremely rewarding.

That said, the weapon demands good aim and timing. Missing a burst wastes valuable time and leaves you exposed between volleys, and managing the vertical kick of each three-shot burst takes a bit of practice. Arpeggio is less flexible in frantic, fast-paced close-quarters battles compared to full-auto rifles or SMGs, but it shines in more deliberate engagements.

Type: Burst Rifle (Uncommon)
Ammo: Medium
Firing Mode: 3-Round Burst

Strengths:

• Accurate bursts that reward players with good tracking and crosshair placement.
• Solid DPS when you consistently land full three-round bursts.
• Compatible with multiple attachments, allowing you to tailor it to your preferred Arc Raiders build.

Weaknesses:

• Less flexible when initiating high-speed pushes or reacting to sudden flanks.
• Requires precision and discipline; missed bursts are heavily punished.

Arpeggio is an excellent fit for players who like well-spaced, methodical battles. It thrives on maps where you can control sightlines, manage angles, and safely peek from cover to fire full bursts. If you enjoy a more tactical, measured style of play instead of pure spray-and-pray, Arpeggio can be a very satisfying and reliable B-tier weapon in your Arc Raiders loadouts.

C Tier Weapons in Arc Raiders

C-tier weapons in Arc Raiders are mostly early-game stopgaps. They’ll do the job when you have no alternatives, but as soon as you unlock or loot stronger gear, these guns quickly get pushed to the back of your stash. Their main advantages are that they’re cheap to craft, easy to obtain, and good as backup equipment for risky raids or experimental builds.

However, you shouldn’t rely on C-tier weapons to carry you through harder raids, red zones, or intense extraction fights. Think of them as temporary tools: useful while you’re still progressing, but not something to invest serious resources or attachments into.

Hairpin

The Hairpin is a stylish bolt-action pistol that looks cool on paper but feels clunky in real combat. Its built-in suppressor makes it useful for stealth runs, silent takedowns, and single-target engagements, especially when you want to avoid drawing aggro from nearby ARC units. At range, Hairpin can land accurate shots and quietly remove isolated enemies.

Unfortunately, the bolt-action reload and slow handling make it far less effective in active firefights. Once enemies are alerted and fights become chaotic, Hairpin’s low damage against armored targets and slow follow-up shots leave you heavily outmatched. It ends up being more of a stealth tool than a reliable sidearm for full raids.

Type: Bolt-Action Pistol (Common)
Ammo: Light
Firing Mode: Single-Shot

Strengths:

• Silent shots, ideal for stealth approaches and low-profile eliminations.
• Accurate at range, allowing careful pick-offs before alarms go off.
• Usable for niche stealth kills and scouting-type gameplay.

Weaknesses:

• Slow reload animation due to the bolt-action mechanic.
• Poor handling once combat gets hectic or enemies close the distance.
• Low damage against armored targets, limiting its effectiveness in tougher content.

The Hairpin can work as a niche option for stealth-focused players, especially in early-game missions or quiet scouting runs. Still, it’s one of the first guns you’ll want to replace as soon as higher-tier weapons become available, since it simply doesn’t keep up with the pace and difficulty of serious Arc Raiders raids.

Kettle

Kettle is a semi-auto assault rifle that strongly rewards precision, patience, and smart positioning. It fires light ammo, making it very cheap to maintain and affordable to craft, which is great while you’re still building up your arsenal. Thanks to its semi-automatic firing mode and low recoil, Kettle is perfect for tap-firing at medium to long ranges, landing consistent headshots and controlled bursts even under pressure.

Instead of spraying bullets, Kettle encourages a measured shooting rhythm, letting you conserve ammo and maintain accuracy over extended fights. This makes it particularly effective in open areas, long corridors, and sightline-heavy maps, where you can keep enemies at a distance and pick them off one by one.

Type: Semi-Auto Assault Rifle (Common)
Ammo: Light
Firing Mode: Semi-Automatic

Strengths:

• Very precise, especially in the hands of players who like tap-firing.
• Ammo-efficient and cheap to sustain during longer sessions.
• Steady, predictable performance at medium and long range.

Weaknesses:

• Slow reload that can punish you if you get rushed or mismanage your magazine.
• Bullet velocity feels too low, making it harder to hit fast-moving targets at distance.
• Weak in close-quarters combat compared to full-auto rifles and SMGs.

If you prefer control and accuracy over chaotic spraying, Kettle can be one of the better C-tier weapons for you. It performs well in open spaces and long corridors, where you can maintain your distance and dictate the pace of the fight. Still, once you gain access to stronger rifles like Rattler or Tempest, Kettle will naturally be replaced in more demanding Arc Raiders content.

Torrente

The Torrente LMG is all about sustained firepower and area control. With its huge magazine and constant DPS, it’s a natural fit for locking down lanes, holding defensive positions, and suppressing enemy pushes. When set up properly, Torrente can keep ARC units and Raiders pinned behind cover, giving your team room to reposition, heal, or rotate during hectic raids and extractions.

However, that power comes with major trade-offs. Torrente is heavy, slow, and extremely punishing on ammo if you hold the trigger without thinking. Its recoil bloom and poor accuracy while moving mean that unless you crouch or remain stationary, your shots will drift off target quickly. It’s a gun that demands discipline: short, controlled bursts and good positioning instead of reckless spraying on the move.

Type: LMG (Uncommon)
Ammo: Medium
Firing Mode: Full-Automatic

Strengths:

• Massive magazine size, perfect for sustained suppression.
• Strong for holding positions, choke points, and extraction zones.
• Decent overall damage output once you’re set up and controlling recoil.

Weaknesses:

• Low mobility and sluggish handling compared to rifles and SMGs.
• Significant recoil bloom, especially while firing on the move.
• Poor movement precision — you need to crouch or anchor yourself to stay accurate.

Torrente fits squad support and defensive players who like to anchor a position rather than constantly rotate. On its own, it can feel clunky and awkward in fast-paced solo runs, but when you communicate with teammates, cover flanks, and pre-aim common angles, Torrente does a better job of holding ground and providing suppressive fire than most assault rifles in Arc Raiders.

D Tier Weapons in Arc Raiders

D-tier weapons in Arc Raiders are usually the guns you shouldn’t invest into. These are the weapons that might sound strong on paper or look stylish, but in practice their downsides heavily outweigh any strengths. They often come with terrible handling, poor DPS, bad ammo efficiency, or awkward mechanics that make them feel outright unfair compared to higher-tier options.

Most players drop or dismantle D-tier weapons as soon as something more consistent drops. They’re typically not worth upgrading, not worth slotting into serious builds, and certainly not ideal for challenging raids, red zones, or high-stakes extractions.

Arc Raiders Best Starter Weapons

For new players, picking the best starter weapons in Arc Raiders can make a huge difference in how your early raids feel. The game doesn’t go easy on beginners: ammo is limited, enemies hit hard, and every missed shot costs you time and resources. That’s why beginner-friendly guns need to be stable, simple to aim, and effective in both solo and co-op. Below are the top Arc Raiders starter weapons that offer steady performance without over-complicating your loadout.

• Rattler – The Best All-Round Starter Rifle
  The Rattler is an outstanding starting weapon for almost any Arc Raiders beginner build. It’s fast, reliable, and very easy to control, even when you’re panicking under pressure. Its predictable recoil pattern helps you keep your crosshair on target during spray or burst fire, making it great for clearing swarms of drones, fighting Raiders, and holding extraction points. If you want one weapon that can handle nearly any early-game situation, Rattler should be your first pick.
• Kettle – The Training Rifle for Aim and Ammo Control
  The Kettle is a perfect “learning rifle” for new players who want to improve their aim and ammo management. Its semi-automatic fire mode forces you to take measured, precise shots instead of spraying, while still providing solid, consistent damage with every bullet. It’s especially useful for beginners who are learning how to control distance, tap-fire under pressure, and conserve ammo during longer raids. If you want to build good habits early, Kettle is one of the best starter weapons to practice with.
• Bobcat – The Mobility-Focused Beginner SMG
  The Bobcat is all about reaction speed, mobility, and survival in close-range combat. It’s a light, fast-firing SMG that helps new Raiders stay alive when fights get messy and enemies rush you. While each round hits for slightly less damage than rifles, the high fire rate and excellent movement freedom make Bobcat ideal for short raids, fast looting runs, flanking routes, and close-quarters brawls. For beginners who like high-tempo, agile gameplay, Bobcat is a fantastic early-game choice in Arc Raiders.

Arc Raiders Best Weapons FAQ

Choosing the right weapon in Arc Raiders can easily be the difference between a clean extraction and a failed run. Below, we’ve collected the most frequently asked questions about Arc Raiders best weapons, ammo types, and the current weapon meta. This FAQ covers everything from beginner-friendly loadouts to advanced endgame choices, helping you decide what to craft, upgrade, or dismantle based on the latest balance trends.

What Are the Best Arc Raiders Weapons?
Some of the best weapons in Arc Raiders right now are the Anvil, Rattler, and Ferro. These guns combine high damage, strong accuracy, and dependable handling across both PvE and PvP situations. They perform well in raids, open-field fights, and extractions, making them top-tier picks for most players.

These S-tier weapons are widely recognized by the community for their reliable DPS, efficiency, and flexibility, and multiple tests and meta discussions consistently place them at the top of most Arc Raiders weapon tier lists.

What Are the Best Arc Raiders Weapons for Beginners?
For new players, the best starter weapons in Arc Raiders are Rattler, Kettle, and Bobcat. These guns are:

• Lightweight and easy to handle
• Inexpensive to craft and maintain
• Effective in the majority of early- and mid-game raids

Thanks to their steady recoil patterns and common ammo types, they’re ideal for learning:

• Basic aiming and tracking
• Ammo conservation
• Positioning and engagement distance

If you’re just getting started and want forgiving, beginner-friendly weapons, these three should be at the top of your list.

How Do You Get the Best Weapons in Arc Raiders?
You can obtain Arc Raiders best weapons in several ways:

• Crafting at the Weapon Bench, using components like Metal Parts, Oil, and Gun Components
• Looting high-risk locations, where better weapon drops and blueprints are more likely
• Buying blueprints from the Speranza-based trader, Tian Wen

Once unlocked, you can further upgrade and fine-tune your guns through crafting, enhancing stats across multiple weapon tiers and improving overall performance for harder raids.

Are Energy Weapons Good in Arc Raiders?
At the moment, energy weapons are still underwhelming for serious content. The Equalizer, for example, looks stylish and has a cool beam-based design, but in practice it falls short of ballistic guns:

• Damage is inconsistent and feels unreliable
• It consumes too much of the rare energy ammo
• It struggles to keep up in high-pressure, late-game raids

Unless you’re experimenting for fun or testing niche builds, you’re usually better off using traditional ballistic weapons for challenging content and pushing high-tier raids.

What Weapon Is Best for Solo Play in Arc Raiders?
For solo play, the Anvil is one of the strongest choices. It:

• Deals massive per-shot damage
• Doesn’t rely heavily on team support
• Punishes enemies quickly when you land accurate shots

Combine the Anvil with a shield, mobility upgrades, and survivability tools to stay alive during solo extractions. This setup lets you control engagements, burst down threats, and survive tough encounters without depending on a full squad.

Can You Customize or Upgrade Weapons in Arc Raiders?
Yes, weapon customization and upgrading are a core part of Arc Raiders’ progression. Most weapons can be tailored using:

• Scopes – to improve vision and long-range precision
• Barrels – to modify recoil, range, or stability
• Magazines – to tweak reload speed and ammo capacity

Higher-level crafting stations unlock additional modification slots and improved handling stats. Certain weapons, including the Anvil and the Rattler, benefit significantly from these upgrades, turning strong baseline guns into truly top-tier Arc Raiders weapons optimized for your personal playstyle.