ARC Raiders Complete Weapon Ranking & Compare

Diving into the chaotic world of ARC Raiders feels like stepping into a high-stakes treasure hunt where every corner hides both loot and laser fire. The game's weapon system stands out for its depth—each gun isn't just a damage dealer but a tool shaped by your raid goals, whether you're sneaking through shadows for quick grabs or holding the line against robotic hordes. With options spanning stealthy sidearms to explosive specialists, understanding these tools can turn frantic escapes into calculated victories.

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Common Weapons for New Raiders

Early raids demand reliability without the hassle of rare crafts, and common weapons deliver just that—simple to assemble from basic scraps, yet packed with distinct edges that reward smart picks. These starters introduce core mechanics like stamina management and enemy detection, helping you adapt to the game's tense extraction flow.

Take the Hairpin, a compact pistol that's all about discretion. Its built-in suppressor keeps noise low, letting you edge closer to foes without raising alarms—ideal for picking off lone scouts in tight indoor spots. At a featherlight 3kg, it barely taxes your sprint, preserving energy for hauling back hauls. Drawbacks? Meager punch means it's no frontline brute, but for evasion-focused runs, it shines as a quiet companion.

Shifting to rapid fire, the Stitcher SMG packs the largest drum among basics at 25 rounds, churning out top close-quarters output for its class. Lighter and nimbler than bulkier alternatives, it suits loot-heavy excursions where mobility trumps raw power. Players often overlook it for flashier options, but its efficiency in cramped brawls makes it a sneaky favorite for aggressive starters.

For a touch more reach, the Rattler assault rifle edges out in stability, holding steady beyond arm's length while nipping at armored threats with decent barrier chew. Its 10-round clip reloads in pairs for quick top-ups mid-fight, though the small capacity demands tactical pauses. It's a solid bridge to tougher encounters, especially when unarmored bugs swarm.

The Kettle assault rifle leans into endurance with a 20-bullet reservoir, perfect for sustained taps against human rivals. Semi-auto fire requires finger discipline, and range fades fast, but its modest weight keeps you agile without sacrificing volume. If player skirmishes dominate your drops, this one's a dependable workhorse.

Crowning the commons is the Ferro battle rifle—a single-shot powerhouse with exceptional barrier-busting capability, rivaling elite gear right from the workbench. Each 40-damage slug demands a full reload, but peeking from cover turns it into a sniper's dream. Hefty at 8kg, it cuts into carry limits, yet its versatility across threats earns it early acclaim. These picks highlight the beauty of commons: tailored flaws that guide your style, from ghosting to gunning.

Uncommon Tools for Deeper Runs

As your bench levels, uncommon weapons unlock with modest resource asks, blending accessibility with sharper specialization. They address common gaps like weight and versatility, making mid-game pushes feel empowering rather than punishing.

The Anvil hand cannon redefines compact fury—six cylinders of 40-damage thunder with barrier-melting prowess, all at a manageable 5kg. It multitasks seamlessly against bots and bandits, firing more often than single-load rivals without the drag. Crafted from everyday finds, it's a no-brainer upgrade that punches above its tier.

Echoing subtlety, the Burletta pistol mirrors entry-level agility but amps output to match mid-tier rifles at half the bulk (4kg, 12 rounds). Underrated in size, it fools opponents into underestimating its bite, freeing slots for extra swag. Against machines, though, it falters hard—stick to human hunts.

Shotgun fans, meet Il Toro: a deliberate pump-action beast unleashing the game's peak per-shot devastation (up to 67.5 close-in). Pellets demand proximity, and its 8kg frame slows dodges, but nailing clusters vaporizes threats. Slow rof suits deliberate ambushes over spray-and-pray chaos.

The Arpeggio assault rifle opts for controlled bursts, trading raw output for a generous clip that sustains cover hops against mixed foes. Its three-round volleys lag behind singles in punch, yet the larger reservoir and solid handling make it forgiving for peeker plays. If consistency over spikes defines you, it fits snugly.

These uncommons refine your kit without overcomplicating—light tweaks that amplify without alienating beginners.

Rare Weapons That Shift the Meta

Rarity ramps up commitment: rarer drops and heftier crafts mean these are rewards for dedicated looters. In return, they introduce game-changers like scopes and dual-fire, dominating once mastered.

The Osprey sniper's integrated optic locks distant marks with unmatched clarity, delivering 45-damage bolts from an 8-round mag at just 7kg. Moderate barrier work holds it back from bot supremacy, but against rivals or flyers, it's poetry—highest non-shotgun peak if precision lands.

Renegade refines rifle rhythm with lever-action cycling for eight 35-damage rounds, excelling in standoffs thanks to amplified cranial hits. At 10kg, it's no feather, but mid-to-long precision and moderate penetration make it a PvP staple for calculated duels.

Torrente's barrage tempts as a suppression king—60 rounds of flak that ragdolls aerial pests, exposing vulnerabilities mid-air. Spread demands a prone stance for accuracy, and 12kg burdens escapes, rendering it PvE niche over player prowess.

Lightest in class, Venator pistol doubles triggers for twin 18-damage pops from a 2kg frame and 10-round hold. It outpaces many primaries in raider harm while sparing stamina, though moderate barriers limit bot duty. As a loot-friendly backup, it's ubiquitous.

Rares elevate raids from survival to strategy, where one trait can flip tides.

Epic Weapons for Veteran Drops

Endgame epics demand workbench mastery and material hunts, but their payoffs—hybrid roles, extreme outputs—cement legends. They're tough to sustain, yet irreplaceable for peak performance.

Tempest assault rifle balances 25-round autos across ranges, weighing 11kg but thriving in fluid PvP with fair bot handling. It's the go-to hybrid for versatile squads.

Bettina assault rifle breaks molds as the sole auto with elite barrier pierce, blending 20-round sprays that out-DPS peers against soft targets while dismantling heavies. Late-game default for dual-threat slots.

Bobcat SMG zips through quarters with hip-fire snap, but 30-round flurries of low-impact shots (6 each) and frail barriers relegate it to CQB filler.

Vulcano shotgun claims throne if pellets connect—massive bursts dwarf rivals, even partial hits outpacing most. Weak barriers and range doom it vs. machines, and balance tweaks loom.

Hullcracker launcher ignores humans (near-zero yield) but shreds bots with contact blasts and superior pierce—S for swarms, F elsewhere.

Equalizer beam rifle's 50-energy stream chews elites like Queens, but player trickle feels glacial.

Jupiter energy sniper's 55-damage lances promise distant deletions, though scarce tests leave its full arc hazy.

Update 1.3.0: Aphelion Energy Battle Rifle

Epics reward investment, turning raids into symphonies of destruction.

Comparing Damage and Utility

Raw numbers reveal preferences, but context—fire rate unknowns, effective vs. listed DPS—adds nuance. Below, effective DPS (adjusted for practical output) and per-shot charts spotlight standouts. Note: Agility ties to weight, impacting sprint; penetration grades: Very Weak (VW), Moderate (M), Strong (S), Very Strong (VS).

Ferro, Anvil, Il Toro, and rares like Osprey consistently lead, but accessibility tips Anvil higher for most.

Tier Ratings for Real Runs

Drawing from hours in the dust, my tiers factor average-player vibes—balancing stats, craft ease, and raid fit over min-max extremes.

S: Game-changers like Ferro (timeless pierce) and Anvil (light legend).

A: Osprey (range royalty), Renegade (duel darling), Venator (pocket rocket).

B: Tempest (reliable rover), Il Toro (close crusher).

C: Stitcher (spray specialist), Kettle (tap trooper).

D: Hairpin (stealth shadow), Torrente (swarm sweeper, niche).

Every gun has a raid; chase what clicks.

FAQs on ARC Raiders Weapons

1. How does armor penetration truly impact bot fights versus player duels?

Penetration determines barrier bypass—strong/VS tiers like Ferro or Hullcracker halve shots needed on heavies like Rocketeers, while VW struggles, turning fights grindy. Against players, it's secondary to raw DPS; a M-pen gun like Renegade still dominates soft armor via head multipliers, but pair with pierce for mixed lobbies.

2. What's the real trade-off between weight, agility, and loot capacity?

Heavier loads (e.g., Torrente's 12kg) spike stamina drain, slowing sprints by 20-30% and capping hauls—vital in extractions. Lighter picks like Venator (2kg) boost agility for 10-15% faster dodges, letting you snag 20% more gear. Test via bench previews; aim under 10kg total for balanced runs.

3. Can common weapons compete late-game, or are epics mandatory?

Absoutely—Ferro and Anvil hold S-tier status endgame due to pierce and cost, outlasting flashier epics in sustainability. Vulcano tempts for bursts, but repair drains make basics smarter for frequent drops. Upgrade commons first; they scale 80% as well with mods.

4. How do fire modes (burst, auto, single) influence effective DPS in practice?

Listed DPS assumes ideal fire rate, but real output dips 15-25% from recoil/spread—Arpeggio's bursts stabilize for 90% uptime mid-range, while Bobcat's auto shreds CQB but wastes 40% on misses. Single-shots like Jupiter excel in peeks, hitting 100% efficiency per trigger.

5. Are there hidden synergies, like pairing shotguns with snipers?

Yes—Il Toro/Vulcano clear rooms (high alpha, low pen), freeing Osprey/Ferro for picks (range, pierce). Light secondaries like Burletta offset heavy primaries' drag, netting 15% more loot. Experiment in solos; anti-air Torrente + ground Ferro farms flyers efficiently.

Thanks for Reading

There you have it—a full sweep to arm your ARC Raiders adventures. Keep an eye on MMOJUGG for more drops like this. Safe raids out there.