Best Weapons in 99 Nights in the Forest

Surviving in 99 Nights in the Forest isn’t just about hiding from wolves or avoiding cultists—it’s also about making sure you’re carrying the right weapon at the right time. Some tools will simply help you get by, while others can completely change the way you approach the game. This guide breaks down the best weapons in 99 Nights in the Forest, ranking them from top-tier picks to ones you should swap out as soon as possible.

99 Nights in the Forest Best Weapons Tier List (All Melee & Ranged Ranked)

How Weapons Work in 99 Nights in the Forest

Weapons are divided into melee and ranged categories:

Melee weapons deliver high raw damage but force you into close encounters with enemies.
Ranged weapons keep you safe from a distance, often giving you room to maneuver while still dealing steady damage.

You can acquire weapons in several ways:

Looting chests across the forest.
Trading with the Pelt Trader (early-game option).
Clearing cultist strongholds, which reset and offer rewards every 20 minutes.
Class starters, where some classes begin with exclusive gear like the Flamethrower, Blowpipe, or Katana.

See also: 99 Nights in the Forest Fishing Guide: How to Get All Rods & Rare Fish

Weapon Tier Rankings

S+ Tier – The Absolute Best

These weapons define the late game. If you get your hands on one, survival becomes far more manageable.

Admin Axe – One-shots any enemy and chops trees instantly. Limited to developer events, but unmatched in raw power.
Poison Spear – Applies poison damage over time, giving you both range and sustained pressure.
Laser Cannon – High-tech ranged weapon that consumes alien energy but can drop even bears in a few hits.
Morningstar – A devastating melee pick that can two-shot wolves.
Tactical Shotgun – Close-range monster that shreds cultists and animals alike.
Infernal Sword – Applies burn damage, while slain creatures conveniently turn into cooked food.

S Tier – Reliable and Deadly

Still excellent, though with small drawbacks or limitations.

Cold Axe – Strong melee option with solid damage.
Laser Sword – Great for close combat with a futuristic edge.
Ice Sword – Delivers powerful hits with elemental flair.
Raygun – Quick shots but requires charging downtime.
Flamethrower – Continuous burn damage, but fuel management is essential.
Blowpipe – Weak raw damage but poisons enemies, especially effective when paired with the Poison Master class.
Wildfire – Useful ranged option with a burning effect.
Crossbow / Infernal Crossbow – Standard Crossbow is solid, while the Infernal variant is top-tier with infinite ammo and burn damage.

A Tier – Solid Mid-Game Picks

Weapons here are strong enough to carry you through most of your run but lack the overwhelming power of S tier options.

Strong Axe – Dependable melee weapon for chopping through enemies.
Chainsaw – High damage but less reliable compared to other heavy hitters.
Ice Shuriken – Fun ranged option that fits well for quick throws.
Trident – Found while fishing; slightly better than the Spear.
Revolver – Good ranged weapon, often part of class starters.
Rifle – Consistent ranged choice, though not as impactful as higher-tier guns.
Kunai – Fast throwing option, solid for agile play.

B Tier – Situational and Outclassed

These weapons can work in a pinch, but you’ll want to upgrade quickly.

Good Axe – Reliable starter but weaker than other axes.
Spear – Easy to find but outclassed by the Trident and Poison Spear.
Chainsaw – Heavy damage output but limited compared to A and S tier melee picks.

C Tier – Replace ASAP

These are more survival tools than proper combat weapons.

Old Axe – Early-game option that’s quickly overshadowed.
Snowball – Fun, but low damage and not viable for survival.