ARC Raiders Weapon Tier List: All 26 Weapons Ranked
Every weapon in the game ranked S to C for the current balance patch. The ranking weighs PvP dueling power, PvE anti-machine performance and cost-per-raid — click any weapon for full stats, its upgrade chain and the enemies it counters hardest.
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View my ARC Raiders optionsBest weapons in the game
Meta-defining weapons that win fights above their cost. If you want the strongest loadout available, build around these.
SAnvilHand CannonHand cannon that hits like an end-game rifle — promoted to Rare in 2.0 because it outperformed its old price bracket.
SBettinaAssault RifleSlow-firing heavy AR that shreds armor — the boss-killer of choice since the 1.26.0 buff.
SRenegadeBattle RifleLever-action battle rifle with sniper-grade reach and a two-tap headshot.
SDolabraShotgunLegendary energy shotgun that morphs into a 100m slug rifle when you aim.
SVulcanoShotgunSemi-auto shotgun with the fastest kill time in the game inside its range.
Excellent picks
Strong weapons that compete with S picks in the right hands or the right situation — many are cheaper to field.
ATempestAssault RifleBullpup AR that does everything well — the most forgiving all-rounder in the game.
AVenatorPistolDouble-tap burst pistol that duels like a primary weapon.
AFerroBattle RifleSingle-shot break-action that turns 5 Metal Parts into a 100-damage headshot.
ABobcatSMG1000-RPM buzzsaw — the highest fire rate in the game.
ACantoSMGMedium-ammo SMG that keeps its bite at ranges other SMGs give up.
AJupiterSniper RifleLegendary railgun that one-taps heads and punches through any armor.
AHullcrackerSpecialFive-shell anti-ARC launcher — the dedicated boss-armor can opener.
AEqualizerSpecialLegendary rotary beam weapon — 50 rounds of armor-ignoring sustained fire.
Solid and situational
Perfectly usable guns with a real weakness: a budget option, a specialist tool, or a weapon that needs upgrades to shine.
BBantamHand CannonShort-barrel double-action revolver — the new uncommon hand cannon now that the Anvil went Rare.
BStilettoBattle RifleSemi-auto Light Ammo battle rifle: laser-accurate on the first shots, harder to hold on sustained fire.
BStitcherSMGDirt-cheap common SMG that stays useful all game as a loot-run workhorse.
BTorrenteLMGThe only LMG — a 90-round belt for squads that pick fights with patrols.
BOspreySniper RifleBolt-action with the longest reach in the game — 80 meters of effective range.
BIl ToroShotgunPump shotgun with the biggest single-blast damage of any non-launcher.
BBurlettaPistolHonest workhorse pistol — 12 rounds, 25-damage headshots, no drama.
BArpeggioAssault RifleThree-round-burst AR for players who aim in punctuation, not sentences.
BRascalSpecialPocket single-shot launcher — 75 armor-piercing damage in your backup slot.
Niche or outclassed
Weapons carried by a gimmick or outclassed at their own role. Some still earn a slot for stealth or early-game economy.
CKettleAssault RifleThe starter pneumatic rifle — accurate, gentle, and outgrown fast.
CRattlerAssault RifleBudget full-auto whose tiny magazine keeps interrupting its own arguments.
CHairpinPistolIntegrally suppressed pistol — the quietest weapon in the game, not the deadliest.
CAphelionBattle RifleThe prestige-piece legendary that loses on paper to a Rare lever gun.
Best weapon by category
Looking for the best gun of a specific class? Each category has its own ranked page with a stat comparison table.
Amplified weapons (Frozen Trail 2.0)
15 base weapons have a legendary Amplified variant. You research it at the Outpost Research Station with the Amplification Module that matches the base weapon's rarity and keep it repaired with Amplified Fragments. Amplified guns sit outside the ranking above — the base tier still tells you which one is worth the research.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best weapon in ARC Raiders?
The current S-Tier weapons are Anvil, Bettina, Renegade, Dolabra, Vulcano. The Anvil stands out as the best value: an Uncommon hand cannon whose 40-damage shots and strong armor penetration outperform weapons that cost far more to field.
How many weapons are in ARC Raiders?
There are 26 weapons in ARC Raiders across nine categories — assault rifles, battle rifles, SMGs, shotguns, pistols, hand cannons, LMGs, sniper rifles and special anti-ARC weapons. This tier list ranks all of them.
How is this tier list ranked?
Rankings weigh PvP dueling power, PvE effectiveness against ARC machines, and cost-per-raid, synthesized from post-patch community consensus and verified in-game stats. Every weapon page explains exactly why it sits in its tier.
What are Amplified weapons in ARC Raiders?
Amplified weapons are legendary variants of 15 existing guns added in Frozen Trail 2.0. You research one at the Outpost Research Station by spending the Amplification Module that matches the base weapon's rarity (MK. I for common up to MK. V for legendary), and Amplified Fragments from recycling repair them. They keep the base weapon's handling, so the tier list still applies.
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