⚡ Quick Answer
The Anvil, Ferro, and Renegade are the best weapons in Arc Raiders for most players. The Anvil offers incredible power for how early you can craft it, the Ferro dominates at range, and the Renegade shreds in PvP. For pure accessibility, add the Kettle and Stitcher to your rotation.
Choosing the right weapons in Arc Raiders can mean the difference between a successful extraction and losing everything. With 21 guns across multiple rarities and weapon types, knowing which ones to prioritize for crafting and upgrading is essential. If you’re new to the game, check out our beginner guide first.
Here’s the thing about weapon tier lists: they disagree. A lot. One site puts the Kettle in S-tier while another drops it to C-tier. That’s because “best” depends on what you’re optimizing for. We’re taking a different approach by giving you context for every ranking so you can make informed decisions based on your playstyle.
📋 In This Guide
Arc Raiders Weapon Tier List
This tier list balances raw performance with accessibility. A weapon that’s amazing but requires killing a Matriarch to craft isn’t as valuable as one that’s 90% as good but costs peanuts to make.
| Tier | Weapons |
|---|---|
| S-Tier | Anvil, Ferro, Renegade |
| A-Tier | Kettle, Stitcher, Tempest, Venator, Bobcat |
| B-Tier | Vulcano, Bettina, Burletta, Il Toro, Osprey |
| C-Tier | Arpeggio, Torrente, Jupiter, Aphelion, Equalizer |
| D-Tier | Rattler, Hullcracker, Hairpin |
S-Tier Weapons
These weapons deliver exceptional performance relative to their cost. You should always have at least one of these in your loadout.
Anvil
Type: Uncommon Hand Cannon | Ammo: Heavy | Magazine: 6 rounds
The Anvil is almost broken for how early you can access it. Play a couple hours of raids and you’ll have enough materials to craft multiple Anvils, yet this Uncommon pistol outperforms most Rare and Epic weapons in the game.
What makes it exceptional is the combination of stopping power, fast fire rate, and lightweight design. It delivers Strong ARC Armor Penetration, meaning it shreds robots and players alike. Pair it with a Ferro for a cheap but devastating early game loadout, or match it with a Stitcher for well-rounded PvP builds.
Ferro
Type: Common Battle Rifle | Ammo: Heavy | Fire Mode: Bolt-action
The Ferro is the most dangerous starting weapon in Arc Raiders. This single-shot battle rifle packs massive damage, stays accurate at range, and offers high ARC Armor Penetration. It’s the perfect initiator for any fight.
The key to using the Ferro effectively is understanding its limitations. Don’t rush anyone after your first shot because the slow fire rate is unforgiving. Instead, open fights with the Ferro, then quickly swap to a faster secondary weapon to finish off anyone rocking a Light Shield. One headshot plus a few Stitcher bursts equals a dead raider.
Renegade
Type: Rare Battle Rifle | Ammo: Medium | Fire Mode: Lever-action
The Renegade is a direct upgrade to the Ferro with one crucial difference: each upgrade improves its fire rate. A Rank IV Renegade is genuinely scary to face. It deals slightly less damage per shot than the Ferro but fires much faster and performs even better at long distances.
If you want the best chance of wiping a full squad by yourself, the Renegade is your weapon. Invest in upgrading it to Rank IV as a priority once you unlock the blueprint.
A-Tier Weapons
Excellent weapons that excel in specific situations or offer strong performance with minor drawbacks.
Kettle
Type: Common Assault Rifle | Ammo: Light | Fire Mode: Semi-auto
The Kettle is divisive. Some tier lists put it in S-tier, others drop it to C-tier. The truth is somewhere in between depending on what you’re doing.
For PvE, the Kettle is incredible. It costs almost nothing to craft, thrives at mid-to-close range, and recent patches only brought it from “completely broken” to “mostly broken.” It’s also the quietest non-silenced gun in the game, making it perfect for stealth loadouts. The downside is low damage per shot, which hurts in drawn-out PvP firefights.
Stitcher
Type: Common SMG | Ammo: Light | Fire Mode: Full-auto
Your starting SMG has the highest DPS of any full-auto weapon until you unlock the Torrente. That’s wild for something this cheap to craft and upgrade.
The recoil is brutal, so you need a good stock and grip attachment. Once you have those, use controlled bursts to eviscerate enemies at close range. The Stitcher holds its own against better-kitted players, making it a favorite for budget loadouts that still pack a punch.
Tempest
Type: Epic Assault Rifle | Ammo: Medium | Fire Mode: Full-auto
The Tempest is the reliable all-rounder. It feels like a Rattler that’s been improved in every way: higher damage, larger magazine, equivalent range, better ARC Armor Penetration, and improved handling.
What tips the Tempest over the similar Bettina is ammunition cost. The Tempest uses Medium Ammo instead of the more expensive Heavy Ammo, making it more sustainable for extended raids. It’s equally effective against ARC and other raiders.
Venator
Type: Rare Pistol | Ammo: Medium | Fire Mode: Semi-auto (two bullets per trigger pull)
The Venator fires two bullets with each trigger pull, packing serious stopping power into a lightweight pistol. Recent patches nerfed it from its former glory, but it’s still excellent.
The biggest weakness is magazine size. Attach a Medium Extended Magazine immediately. Also prioritize upgrading to Rank IV to maximize fire rate. Fair warning: this gun is loud and chews through ammo faster than other pistols.
Bobcat
Type: Epic SMG | Ammo: Light | Fire Mode: Full-auto
The Bobcat is a souped-up Stitcher with a blistering fire rate that melts heavily armored players. The DPS difference between these two SMGs is significant.
Like all SMGs, it suffers from poor range and high recoil. Use it only in close quarters where its raw damage output shines. In the right situation, nothing can match the Bobcat’s killing speed.
B-Tier Weapons
Solid weapons with clear strengths but notable limitations. Good choices in the right circumstances.
Vulcano
Type: Epic Shotgun | Ammo: Shotgun | Magazine: 4 rounds
The Vulcano is the undisputed king of close-quarters combat. It deals colossal damage that drops players regardless of their armor. The fast fire rate makes it forgiving if you miss.
The catch is range (only effective within a few meters) and magazine size. Attach a magazine mod immediately because four shots isn’t enough when things get chaotic.
Bettina
Type: Epic Assault Rifle | Ammo: Heavy | Fire Mode: Full-auto
The Bettina hits incredibly hard with a lower fire rate that makes recoil manageable. It’s designed for PvE against ARC’s heavier units.
The major downside is Heavy Ammo consumption. Every bullet costs more than almost any other gun, and the Bettina chews through rounds quickly. Bring plenty of ammo or plan your engagements carefully.
Burletta
Type: Uncommon Pistol | Ammo: Light | Fire Mode: Semi-auto
The Burletta is the perfect Ferro companion. This fast-firing pistol is lightweight, cheap, and excellent for quick-draw PvP situations. Against Light Shields, it downs enemies rapidly.
It can’t crack ARC armor, so don’t rely on it for PvE. Use it as a finisher after opening with a battle rifle.
Il Toro
Type: Uncommon Shotgun | Ammo: Shotgun | Fire Mode: Pump-action
Il Toro excels in cramped spaces like Stella Montis buildings. Land your shots squarely and you’ll kill in 2-3 pumps. The strategy is simple: peek, shoot, cover, repeat. Players struggle to counter this tactic in enclosed areas.
Don’t expect one-shot kills, and avoid open areas where its short range becomes a major liability.
Osprey
Type: Rare Sniper Rifle | Ammo: Medium | Pre-equipped: Long-range scope
The Osprey comes with a permanently attached long-range scope, making it the true sniper option. Against a Ferro user at 150 meters, you have a clear advantage. It also hits harder than the Ferro per shot.
The scope you can’t remove is a double-edged sword. If enemies close the distance, the Osprey becomes a liability. Always carry a strong secondary.
Recommended Loadouts
Your weapon choice should match your mission. Here are proven loadouts for different situations. For complementary perks and abilities, check our skill tree builds guide.
Early Game (Cheap and Effective)
- Primary: Ferro
- Secondary: Anvil or Burletta
Both weapons are cheap to craft and cover all engagement ranges. Open with the Ferro, finish with your pistol. This loadout costs almost nothing but competes with much more expensive setups.
PvP Focused
- Primary: Renegade or Osprey
- Secondary: Vulcano
High risk, high reward. The Renegade dominates at range while the Vulcano covers close quarters. This is a heavy loadout meant for aggressive play against other raiders.
PvE Farm Build
- Primary: Tempest or Bettina
- Secondary: Kettle or Ferro
Focus on armor penetration for shredding ARC robots. The Tempest is more ammo-efficient, while the Bettina hits harder. Use the secondary to conserve primary ammo on weaker enemies.
Stealth Loadout
- Primary: Kettle
- Secondary: Hairpin or Burletta
The Kettle is the quietest non-silenced gun. The Hairpin has a built-in silencer for opening ambushes, then swap to something with actual damage. This setup prioritizes not being heard over pure killing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best starting weapon in Arc Raiders?
The Ferro is the best starting weapon. It’s a Common battle rifle that packs massive damage, has high accuracy at range, and offers strong ARC Armor Penetration. Pair it with an Anvil for a cheap but deadly early game loadout.
Is the Kettle good in Arc Raiders?
The Kettle is excellent for PvE and costs almost nothing to craft. It’s one of the quietest guns for stealth play. However, its low damage per shot makes it weaker in extended PvP fights compared to other assault rifles.
What is the best weapon for PvP in Arc Raiders?
The Anvil, Stitcher, and Renegade are top PvP choices. The Anvil offers quick draw and high damage. The Stitcher has the best DPS at close range. The Renegade excels at medium-to-long range engagements.
Are Legendary weapons worth it in Arc Raiders?
Generally no. The Aphelion and Equalizer require killing boss enemies like the Matriarch or Queen, but their stats don’t justify the effort. A fully upgraded Renegade or Tempest often outperforms them for a fraction of the cost and risk.
How many weapons are in Arc Raiders?
Arc Raiders has 21 weapons across different rarities from Common to Legendary. This includes pistols, battle rifles, assault rifles, SMGs, shotguns, sniper rifles, LMGs, and special weapons like the Hullcracker grenade launcher.
Looking for blueprint locations? Check our complete item locations guide for where to find weapon blueprints across all expeditions.