Last updated on November 5th, 2025 at 09:43 pm
Choosing the right weapon in ARC Raiders determines whether you return with loot or end up another wreck in the dust. With dozens of guns available — from hand cannons that punch through armor to rifles built for precise mid-range engagements — knowing which ones truly perform is crucial before heading Topside.
S-Tier Weapons – The Meta Definers
These weapons dominate in nearly every fight. They combine high damage, strong armor penetration, and stability, making them indispensable in both PvP and PvE scenarios.
| Weapon | Strengths | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Anvil | Enormous per-shot damage, strong armor penetration, reliable in all ranges | Mid to long-range engagements; precision users |
| Ferro | Devastating single-shot rifle with incredible accuracy | Sniping ARCs or raiders from distance |
| Vulcano | Semi-auto shotgun with extreme burst damage | Close-quarters PvP |
| Osprey | Long-range sniper with consistent per-shot power | PvE sniping and open-area raids |
| Bettina | Automatic rifle with solid armor penetration and stability | All-rounder choice for PvP and ARC fights |
| Renegade | Lever-action rifle with consistent mid-range impact | Counter-sniping or duels |
| Venator | Dual-shot sidearm, lightweight yet deadly | Backup weapon for light loadouts |
S-tier weapons either excel at deleting enemies quickly (like Vulcano or Anvil) or deliver reliable versatility in mixed scenarios (like Bettina and Osprey). Their adaptability makes them core parts of any optimized loadout.
A-Tier Weapons: Reliable and Deadly
A-tier weapons perform extremely well but may have small drawbacks like heavier recoil or slower reload speeds.
| Weapon | Strengths | Drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| Tempest | Balanced automatic rifle with great range and control | Slightly lower damage per shot |
| Il Toro | High burst shotgun damage at point-blank | Weak armor penetration |
| Jupiter | Precision sniper with massive damage to ARC units | Slow bolt-action reload |
| Equalizer | Energy clip LMG that melts ARC armor | Heavy recoil; not ideal for PvP |
| Torrente | Large mag LMG for suppression and PvE | Heavy and less accurate at distance |
A-tier weapons reward positioning and aim. They might not have S-tier dominance, but in the right hands, they deliver consistent results across most missions.
B-Tier Weapons: Situational Choices
These guns are solid but need specific conditions or upgrades to truly shine.
| Weapon | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Bobcat | Fast-firing SMG with great handling | Weak against armor; low damage |
| Burletta | Lightweight semi-auto pistol with decent stability | Weak penetration; low DPS |
| Arpeggio | Burst-fire rifle with moderate range | Lacks stopping power in tough fights |
| Kettle | Semi-auto rifle with balanced recoil | Low damage scaling at higher tiers |
They can handle early to mid-game raids efficiently, but once better blueprints unlock, these guns struggle against advanced enemies or heavy ARC armor.
C-Tier Weapons: Functional but Flawed
C-tier weapons can help you survive early encounters, but they quickly fall behind as enemies scale.
| Weapon | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Stitcher | Great fire rate, easy to control | Weak penetration; low impact damage |
| Rattler | Reliable assault rifle for beginners | Lacks high-tier scaling |
| Hairpin | Built-in silencer for stealth play | Very weak damage output |
| Hullcracker | Devastates ARCs but doesn’t explode on players | Useless in PvP scenarios |
They’re decent stopgaps but should be replaced once you secure higher-tier blueprints or raid rewards.
D-Tier Weapons: Last Resort
These weapons struggle in nearly all circumstances and are mostly useful for experimentation or early-game emergencies.
| Weapon | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|
| Apreggio | Decent range and handling | Poor damage and low fire rate |
| Kettle (unupgraded) | Easy to control | Extremely weak versus armor |
| Hairpin (default) | Silent but low killing power | Ineffective for raids or PvP |
Best Weapons for ARC Enemies
If your primary goal is farming ARC units efficiently, these guns offer the best damage-to-armor ratio:
| Weapon | Specialty |
|---|---|
| Hullcracker | Explosive launcher designed to destroy ARC plating |
| Equalizer | Energy LMG that melts heavy armor |
| Jupiter | Long-range sniper ideal for surgical ARC elimination |
| Bettina | Consistent damage across armored and unarmored targets |
Weapon Type Overview
Understanding categories helps tailor loadouts to your preferred playstyle:
| Type | Best At | Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| Assault Rifles | Balanced, great for mid-range fights | Can lack burst damage |
| Battle Rifles | High single-shot accuracy | Slower fire rate |
| Shotguns | Devastating up close | Ineffective at range |
| Sniper Rifles | Precision long-range elimination | Slow to fire, exposes position |
| SMGs | Agile, close-range rushdowns | Weak damage per bullet |
| Hand Cannons | Huge single-hit damage | Heavy and slow reloads |
Tips for Choosing the Best Weapon
- Match your loadout to your role: Long-range defenders thrive with Osprey or Ferro, while close-range raiders dominate with Vulcano or Il Toro.
- Consider ammo type: Heavy ammo hits harder but is rarer; light ammo keeps you in fights longer.
- Prioritize reload speed: Long reloads can ruin runs—pick weapons that suit your tempo.
- Balance range and handling: Not every raid favors long-range power; versatility often wins.
The meta in ARC Raiders continues to evolve, but one thing remains true—Anvil, Ferro, and Bettina stand as the backbone of any serious loadout. These guns offer the reliability and damage you need to survive both PvE and PvP challenges.
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Whether you prefer precision rifles or heavy firepower, mastering your weapon’s rhythm is the real key to dominating every raid. Play Now!
