Understanding Arc Raiders Weapon Systems
Arc Raiders doesn't let you pick your favorite gun and run with it every match. You'll need to find, craft, or buy better weapons during each run, and you can lose everything in seconds no matter how rare your gear is.
The weapon meta here isn't about stacking the highest DPS. High-end guns improve versatility and handling more than raw damage. If you're losing fights to other players, it's usually because they outplayed you with better positioning, not because they had better gear.
Weapon Performance Categories
Damage Types and Armor Penetration
Different ammo types work better against different enemies:
- Heavy Ammo: Shreds both Arc machines and players thanks to strong armor penetration. This is your go-to for taking down tough enemies.
- Medium Ammo: Sits in the middle with moderate armor penetration. Works fine against Arc enemies while staying competitive in PVP.
- Light Ammo: Tears through unarmored players but barely scratches Arc machines. Use this for player hunting, not robot fighting.
- Specialized Ammunition: Energy rounds and launcher ammo exist specifically for heavily armored Arc units.
Weight and Mobility Considerations
Weapon weight affects two things:
- Carrying Capacity: Heavy weapons mean less room for loot
- Agility Rating: Heavier guns drain your stamina faster when you're running around
Light weapons (2-4kg) let you grab maximum loot and keep moving. Medium weight options (5-8kg) balance combat power with decent carry space. Heavy firearms (10-12kg) seriously limit your loot hauls and burn through stamina.
Stealth Mechanics
The stealth stat determines how close you can get to Arc enemies while shooting before they notice you. Only one weapon has a very high stealth rating, thanks to a built-in suppressor.
Starting Weapon Arsenal (Common Rarity)
These guns need almost no resources to craft or buy, so you can use them throughout your entire time with the game. They might not match higher-tier options in every situation, but they're viable even in late-game content.
The Ferro is one of the best guns in the game at any stage. You only need five metal parts and two rubber parts to craft it at the Gunsmith.
Combat Performance: This thing hits like a truck with strong armor penetration, making it your best choice for fighting Arc enemies throughout the game. Against other players, it'll often break their shield or just kill them outright in one shot, letting you finish them with another weapon.
Downsides: You have to reload after every single shot, which leaves you vulnerable up close. Upgrades can cut down that reload time significantly. The 8kg weight is rough early on but gets easier to manage as you expand your carry capacity.
Best Use: Primary weapon for Arc encounters at all skill levels. Great opener in player fights, especially paired with a rapid-fire backup for close range.
The Kettle shows up in free loadouts and costs almost nothing to craft (just some metal and rubber). You can also buy it from Tian Wen for 800 coins.
Combat Performance: Despite being semi-auto, you can spam shots fast enough to shred players. The 20-round mag gives you double the Rattler's base capacity. Each shot hits harder than the Rattler too.
Downsides: Low armor penetration makes this nearly useless against Arc machines. The reload is slow compared to other assault rifles. Range performance isn't great either.
Best Use: Player fights only. Pair it with something like the Ferro for Arc encounters.
The Stitcher puts out the highest pure DPS among common weapons. You'll find it in free loadouts or craft it from basic materials. Tian Wen sells it for 800 coins too.
Combat Performance: The fire rate absolutely melts unarmored enemies at close range. Better agility stats than the Rattler mean you move faster in combat. The big magazine lets you fight longer without reloading.
Downsides: Serious recoil makes accuracy tough without practice. Very weak armor penetration means you'll waste tons of ammo on Arc enemies. Works best indoors and in tight spaces.
Best Use: Close-quarters player fights in confined areas. Throw on an upgraded magazine and recoil-reduction muzzle attachment for best results.
The Rattler is the only fully-automatic common weapon that does moderate damage against Arc armor. When you reload, bullets go in two at a time, and you can cancel the reload whenever you want.
Combat Performance: Handles both Arc machines and players reasonably well. More stable than the Stitcher with less damage falloff, making it better at medium range. The moderate armor penetration means you can actually hurt tougher Arc units.
Downsides: That 10-round base mag means you're reloading constantly in long fights. Pure DPS is lower than the Stitcher.
Best Use: All-purpose primary for beginners. Good mid-range option that handles both enemy types decently.
The Hairpin is the worst combat weapon in Arc Raiders. You have to recock it after every shot, it does minimal damage, and armor penetration is terrible.
Combat Performance: Don't bring this to a real fight. It can kill weak indoor Arc enemies that die in one hit. The super low weight and high agility rating mean almost no stamina drain while moving.
Downsides: Basically useless in any serious combat.
Best Use: Stealth looting runs where you're avoiding fights. The built-in suppressor and light weight work well when you just need to sneak around collecting resources. Fine for popping weak Arc enemies you run into while looting.
Mid-Tier Weapon Options (Uncommon Rarity)
These weapons require moderate progression to craft consistently but offer notable performance improvements in specific scenarios. Most uncommon firearms show only marginal advantages over common alternatives, with one exceptional standout.
This hand cannon delivers 40 damage per shot - identical to the Ferro - while offering multiple advantages. The six-round cylinder eliminates reload requirements between individual shots, substantially increasing sustained fire rate.
The Anvil achieves top-tier status despite uncommon rarity classification. Crafting requirements remain accessible with fairly common materials, and vendor purchase provides another acquisition option.
Combat Performance: Strong armor penetration shatters Arc enemy armor with ease. The 5kg weight makes it significantly lighter than the Ferro while maintaining identical per-shot damage.
Operational Limitations: Close-range optimization means reduced effectiveness at extended distances compared to rifles.
Recommended Usage: Universal sidearm effective in all situations. Functions as a primary weapon against Arc machines. Competitive player-versus-player performance. The lightweight design allows for maximum loot extraction while maintaining high combat capability.
Delivers assault rifle damage levels at half the weight of comparable rifles like the Rattler or Kettle.
Combat Performance: Quick fire rate and fair accuracy make this weapon competitive in player engagements. The 12-round magazine capacity exceeds many pistol alternatives. Damage output surprises enemies who underestimate the small weapon profile.
Operational Limitations: Very weak armor penetration makes this weapon ineffective against Arc machines.
Features the widest pellet spread among Arc Raiders shotguns with the highest damage-per-shot value in the game when all pellets connect.
Combat Performance: Devastating close-range damage output against human opponents. The second-strongest weapon overall in terms of pure damage potential. Single-shot damage exceeds all other firearms when fired at point-blank range.
Operational Limitations: Slow fire rate creates vulnerability between shots. Large spread pattern requires extremely close proximity for maximum effect. Weak armor penetration provides minimal effectiveness against Arc machines.
Provides four weapon modification slots for extensive upgrade options. Strong stability characteristics distinguish this burst-fire rifle.
Combat Performance: Consistent performance during sustained engagements. The larger magazine capacity supports extended fights without reloading.
Operational Limitations: Lower damage output compared to most weapons at similar rarity. Burst damage falls short of single-shot weapons like the Anvil and Ferro.
Advanced Weapon Systems (Rare Rarity)
These firearms require substantial workbench progression and dedicated resource farming to craft consistently. While loot drops provide occasional access, building a reliable inventory demands significant time investment. Rare-tier weapons show marked improvements in damage output, special features, and overall player preference.
Built-in long-range scope - the only scoped weapon in game. Delivers highest damage-per-shot value excluding shotguns.
Combat Performance: Exceptional long-range damage with consistent accuracy through integrated scope. Reliable elimination of distant targets. Surprisingly light at 7kg compared to the Ferro.
Operational Limitations: Moderate armor penetration means the Ferro remains superior for Arc elimination. Forced scope usage when aiming - no iron sight option. No variable zoom functionality.
Functions as a player-focused variant of the Ferro, trading armor penetration for improved handling and sustained fire capability.
Combat Performance: Delivers 35 damage per shot with eight rounds available before reloading. Official description indicates high headshot damage potential. Easier handling characteristics compared to the Ferro.
Operational Limitations: Very heavy at 10kg - the second-heaviest weapon in the game. Moderate armor penetration reduces effectiveness against heavily armored Arc units.
Arc Raiders' only light machine gun delivers the highest fully-automatic damage output on paper. Exceptional against flying Arc enemies.
Combat Performance: The massive bullet volume causes aerial targets to shake, flip, and expose weak points rapidly. Instead of precise weak-point targeting with single-shot weapons, the Torrente shreds flying enemies through overwhelming fire volume.
Operational Limitations: Severe recoil makes accuracy extremely difficult unless crouching. Poor close-combat performance. Ineffective in player-versus-player unless at point-blank range. The 12kg weight severely limits loot capacity.
The dual-bullet firing mechanism combined with ultralight weight creates a distinctive performance profile.
Combat Performance: Damage output ranks among the best weapons in Arc Raiders. Slightly exceeds the Anvil in damage-per-second against human opponents. The 2kg weight provides maximum loot capacity while maintaining competitive firepower.
Operational Limitations: Moderate armor penetration falls short of the Anvil's strong penetration value, reducing effectiveness against heavily armored Arc machines.
Elite Weapon Arsenal (Epic Rarity)
Epic-tier weapons require extensive preparation to acquire and craft. Players must advance their Gunsmith workbench significantly and locate specific crafting materials. These firearms deliver exceptional performance in their intended roles.
Represents a fully upgraded version of the Rattler, delivering superior performance across all metrics.
Combat Performance: Smooth recoil patterns and exceptional accuracy create consistent performance. The substantially improved accuracy compared to the Rattler, Kettle, and Stitcher provides reliability these weapons lack. Solid fire rate enables high damage output at close and medium ranges.
Operational Limitations: Heavy weight at 11kg significantly reduces loot capacity. Rapid degradation requires frequent repairs, which become costly for epic-tier weapons.
Recommended Usage: Best all-purpose weapon for players with resources to maintain it. Dominates close-to-mid-range encounters against both players and unarmored Arc machines.
The only assault rifle with strong armor penetration, joining the Ferro and Anvil in this exclusive category.
Combat Performance: Fully automatic operation with heavy ammunition creates a comfortable, versatile combat tool. Extremely high damage per shot for an assault rifle. Higher damage-per-second against players compared to the Tempest. Exceptional performance against Arc machines.
Operational Limitations: Slow fire rate creates disadvantages during close-range encounters. Rapid degradation requires frequent repairs at substantial cost.
Recommended Usage: Dual-purpose primary weapon that handles both player combat and heavily armored Arc enemies in a single equipment slot. Optimal choice when anticipating high-difficulty Arc encounters.
Represents an upgraded Stitcher with improved handling characteristics and easier recoil management.
Combat Performance: Rapid fire rate creates extremely high damage potential once players master recoil control. Snappy handling and excellent hip-fire accuracy. Powerful weapon against enemy players in close-quarters situations.
Operational Limitations: Damage output falls below other epic-tier weapons significantly. Very weak armor penetration means total ineffectiveness against Arc machines. Weakest among all epic rarity options.
Delivers the highest damage output in the entire game when all pellets connect - substantially higher than any alternative weapon.
Combat Performance: Tight spread pattern and high damage output eliminate players and Arc enemies rapidly at close range. Swift fire rate allows for quick follow-up shots. Forgiving range compared to Il Toro. Subject to pre-launch nerfs due to excessive power, but remains highly effective post-adjustment.
Operational Limitations: Shotgun range falloff creates sharp effectiveness drop at medium distances. Small magazine capacity requires frequent reloading. Weak armor penetration limits Arc combat effectiveness.
Recommended Usage: Close-range devastation when paired with long-range backup weapons (Ferro, Renegade, or Bettina). Brings overwhelming stopping power to close-quarters scenarios while maintaining relatively low weight.
Grenades only detonate when striking Arc machines, making this weapon literally useless against human opponents.
Combat Performance: Massive damage output against Arc machines. Designed specifically to break through Arc armor plating. One of only two weapons with very strong armor penetration values. Makes heavily armored Arc encounters significantly less challenging.
Operational Limitations: Zero effectiveness against human opponents - projectiles will not detonate when hitting players. Requires carrying a secondary weapon for player combat.
Recommended Usage: Specialized Arc farming tool. Take this weapon when running high-difficulty Arc encounters for loot drops or experience gains, but ensure a competent player-combat weapon accompanies the loadout.
Fires continuous energy beams rather than projectiles. Incredible engagement range allows safe distance maintenance.
Combat Performance: One of two weapons with very strong armor penetration. The 50-round magazine capacity supports extended engagements. Excels at decimating Arc machine armor.
Operational Limitations: Difficult aiming mechanics against mobile human opponents. Poor damage-per-second output against players.
Recommended Usage: End-game Arc elimination tool. Optimal for taking down large, dangerous Arc machines like Queens from safe distances.
Legendary Tier Weapons
One of only two energy ammunition weapons currently available. Delivers 55 damage per shot - exceeding the Osprey's damage output.
Combat Performance: Higher accuracy values compared to the Osprey. Perfect for breaking Arc armor at range. The energy ammunition type creates a unique option for players seeking alternatives to traditional ammunition types.
Operational Limitations: Much slower operation compared to the Osprey creates difficult handling characteristics. Less useful against human opponents compared to Arc machines.
Recommended Usage: Long-range Arc elimination for players who have mastered the Osprey and want increased damage with a fresh mechanical feel.
Weapon Tier Rankings
The following tier list organizes weapons by overall effectiveness across typical gameplay scenarios:
Complete Tier List
S-Rank (Exceptional value and performance): Tempest, Anvil, Bobcat, Rattler, Vulcano
A-Rank (Highly effective specialized options): Renegade, Osprey, Jupiter, Venator, Ferro
B-Rank (Situationally useful): Stitcher, Burletta, Equalizer, Il Toro, Hullcracker, Arpeggio
C-Rank (Limited applications): Hairpin, Kettle, Torrente
Strategic Weapon Selection
Early Progression Loadouts
Arc-Focused Build:
- Primary: Ferro (8kg)
- Secondary: Any light weapon for player defense
- Total Weight: 11-13kg
- Strategy: Use Ferro to eliminate Arc enemies efficiently. Switch to secondary weapon if players engage.
Player-Combat Build:
- Primary: Kettle (standard weight)
- Secondary: Stitcher (light)
- Total Weight: Minimal burden
- Strategy: Focus on player elimination and loot extraction. Avoid Arc encounters when possible.
Balanced Beginner Build:
- Primary: Rattler (standard weight)
- Secondary: Hairpin or Burletta for emergency weight reduction
- Total Weight: Moderate
- Strategy: Handle both enemy types with reasonable effectiveness. Prioritize positioning over raw firepower.
Mid-Game Optimization
All-Purpose Loadout:
- Primary: Anvil (5kg)
- Secondary: Rattler or Kettle
- Total Weight: 8-10kg
- Strategy: The Anvil handles Arc encounters and delivers strong player damage. Secondary weapon covers situations where sustained fire matters more than per-shot damage.
Loot Runner Build:
- Primary: Venator (2kg)
- Secondary: Hairpin (3kg) or Burletta (4kg)
- Total Weight: 5-6kg
- Strategy: Minimize weapon weight to maximize loot extraction. The Venator provides competitive player-combat capability despite minimal weight investment.
Advanced Endgame Loadouts
Maximum Combat Effectiveness:
- Primary: Tempest (11kg)
- Secondary: Anvil (5kg)
- Total Weight: 16kg
- Strategy: Dominate all engagement ranges. Tempest handles mid-range player combat and standard Arc enemies. Anvil provides close-range stopping power and armor penetration.
Arc Hunter Build:
- Primary: Bettina (standard weight)
- Secondary: Hullcracker or Equalizer
- Total Weight: Heavy
- Strategy: Designed for high-difficulty Arc farming. The Bettina functions as both player defense and Arc elimination. Secondary weapon accelerates heavily armored Arc kills.
Specialized Arc Destroyer:
- Primary: Hullcracker or Equalizer
- Secondary: Tempest, Renegade, or Bettina for player combat
- Total Weight: Very Heavy
- Strategy: Maximum Arc killing power with full player-combat capability. Only viable when loot extraction takes secondary priority to Arc elimination.
Critical Success Factors
Resource Management
Weapon rarity directly impacts maintenance costs. Epic and legendary weapons degrade rapidly, requiring frequent repairs with expensive materials. Players should balance weapon quality against sustainable resource availability.
Weight Optimization
Every kilogram of weapon weight reduces loot extraction capacity by one kilogram. Players focused on resource gathering should minimize weapon weight while maintaining adequate combat capability.
Recommended weight limits by playstyle:
- Loot Priority: 5-8kg total weapon weight
- Balanced Approach: 9-12kg total weapon weight
- Combat Priority: 13-16kg total weapon weight
Ammunition Considerations
Heavy ammunition weapons (Ferro, Anvil, Bettina) provide strong armor penetration but weigh more per unit of ammunition carried. Medium ammunition offers balanced performance with moderate weight. Light ammunition maximizes carried rounds but provides poor Arc combat effectiveness.
Players should match ammunition types to intended activities - heavy ammunition for Arc encounters, light ammunition for player-focused runs, medium ammunition for balanced approaches.
Engagement Strategy
Weapon selection should match tactical approach:
- Aggressive Player Hunters: Prioritize close-range weapons (Vulcano, Bobcat, Stitcher) with high player damage. Avoid Arc encounters.
- Defensive Looters: Select lightweight weapons (Venator, Hairpin, Burletta) that provide adequate emergency combat capability while maximizing loot space.
- Arc Farmers: Bring high armor penetration (Ferro, Anvil, Bettina, Hullcracker, Equalizer) with player-combat backup.
- Versatile Raiders: Choose all-purpose weapons (Tempest, Rattler, Anvil) that handle multiple scenarios without requiring weapon swapping.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overvaluing Rarity: Higher rarity does not always mean better performance for specific situations. The uncommon Anvil outperforms many epic weapons in certain scenarios.
- Ignoring Weight: Players frequently overlook weight impact on both loot capacity and stamina consumption, leading to suboptimal loadouts.
- Single-Purpose Loadouts: Taking only Arc-focused weapons (like Hullcracker) without player-combat backup creates vulnerability.
- Neglecting Upgrades: Weapon modifications substantially improve performance. Even common weapons become significantly more effective with proper attachments.
- Fighting Unfavorable Matchups: Attempting to kill heavily armored Arc machines with light ammunition weapons wastes time and resources.
Weapon Comparison Summary
| Category | Top Weapons |
|---|---|
| Highest Damage Per Shot | Il Toro, Vulcano, Osprey |
| Highest DPS | Vulcano, Tempest, Bettina |
| Best Armor Penetration | Hullcracker, Equalizer (Very Strong) |
| Lightest Weapons | Venator (2kg), Hairpin (3kg) |
| Heaviest Weapons | Torrente (12kg), Tempest (11kg) |
| Best Value Weapons | Anvil, Ferro, Rattler |
| Most Versatile | Tempest, Bettina, Rattler |
Blueprint Acquisition
Some weapons require blueprint discovery before crafting becomes available. Players should prioritize unlocking blueprints for high-value weapons like the Anvil, Tempest, and Bettina during early progression.
Supply drop knowledge helps maintain weapon availability during extended play sessions. Understanding when and how to call supply drops ensures consistent access to preferred loadouts even after equipment losses.
Conclusion
Arc Raiders weapon selection depends heavily on intended gameplay approach, progression stage, and resource availability. No single weapon dominates all situations - each firearm offers distinct advantages that skilled players can leverage appropriately.
The most successful raiders understand their weapons' strengths and limitations, build loadouts matching their tactical plans, and adapt equipment choices based on evolving circumstances during each run. Master a few weapons thoroughly rather than attempting to use every option superficially.