Arc Raiders rewards smart weapon choices. Guns differ in damage, ammo type, armor penetration, reload style, and handling — and those trade-offs decide whether you make it back to Speranza. The current meta favors high burst at close range, reliable mid‑range precision, and a dedicated answer for armored ARC units.
Arc Raiders best weapons tier list (meta snapshot)
| Weapon | Tier | Role | Ammo | Why it’s here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vulcano | S | Semi‑auto shotgun | Shotgun | Fast follow‑ups and heavy burst delete players at close range; still effective beyond point‑blank after recent tuning. |
| Anvil | S | Hand cannon pistol | Heavy | High per‑shot impact with strong armor damage in a compact backup; punishes headshots and cracks ARC armor. |
| Tempest | S | Assault rifle | Medium | Well‑rounded recoil, accuracy, and range with mod flexibility; a clear upgrade path for AR mains. |
| Osprey | S | Sniper rifle | Medium | Consistent long‑range lethality and a dependable scope make it a go‑to for PvP lanes and safe ARC picks. |
| Renegade | S | Lever‑action battle rifle | Medium | Hard‑hitting, steady mid‑range pressure with strong headshot payoff and manageable handling. |
| Bettina | S | Assault rifle | Heavy | General‑purpose rifle with strong armor penetration and solid DPS; reliable in both PvP and versus ARC. |
| Venator | A | Semi‑auto pistol (double tap) | Medium | Two rounds per trigger pull with respectable armor damage; a lightweight sidearm that still bites. |
| Ferro | A | Break‑action rifle | Heavy | Single, powerful shots with strong armor penetration; excels against ARC but slowed by one‑round cycling. |
| Rattler | A | Full‑auto assault rifle | Medium | Beginner‑friendly, balanced stats, and a forgiving partial reload that feeds two at a time; divisive but effective. |
| Bobcat | A | SMG | Light | High rate of fire shreds raiders up close; accuracy takes practice and light ammo struggles versus ARC armor. |
| Jupiter | A | Bolt‑action sniper | Energy | Higher damage and precision than Osprey with slower handling; a specialist pick for breaking ARC armor. |
| Equalizer | B | Energy beam (special) | Energy | Long‑reach beam that excels at stripping ARC armor; less practical against agile raiders. |
| Hullcracker | B | Explosive launcher (special) | Launcher | Explosive payloads that detonate on ARC; a situational slot that underperforms in raider fights. |
| Il Toro | B | Pump‑action shotgun | Shotgun | Large spread and high damage at very close range; slow cadence and weak versus ARC armor. |
| Burletta | B | Semi‑auto pistol | Light | Quick‑firing backup with fair accuracy; fine for PvP emergencies, not ideal for armored targets. |
| Stitcher | B | SMG | Light | Early‑game bullet hose with snappy TTK on soft targets; tricky recoil and hungry magazines. |
| Arpeggio | B | Burst assault rifle | Medium | Stable three‑round bursts and strong mod options; average output into ARC armor. |
| Torrente | B | — | — | Performs for some builds but lacks broad appeal; typically a secondary choice behind stronger primaries. |
| Hairpin | C | Single‑action pistol (suppressed) | Light | Quiet, lightweight, and niche; minimal impact on ARC armor keeps it off most loadouts. |
| Kettle | C | Semi‑auto rifle | Light | Long reloads and poor armor performance hold it back; overshadowed by better mid‑range options. |
Note: Placements reflect practical strengths across PvP and PvE. Upgrades, mods, and ammo economy can push a favorite up or down a tier.
Best weapons for ARC enemies (armor and heavy units)
- Equalizer — Energy beam that erases ARC armor from a safe distance; angle management matters more than tracking players.
- Jupiter — High‑damage, precise energy sniper built for armor breaking; slower to cycle and less forgiving in PvP.
- Hullcracker — Explosive launcher that triggers on ARC targets; highly situational but devastating when you plan around it.
- Ferro — Heavy, break‑action single‑shot with strong penetration; pairs well as an anti‑ARC secondary.
- Renegade — Lever‑action pressure from mid‑range with reliable armor chip between pushes.
Tip: Light‑ammo SMGs like Bobcat and entry pistols will feel underpowered into ARC armor. Carry one slot that reliably penetrates or strips armor if you intend to hunt machines.
Loadouts to craft early
- Versatile starter: Rattler + Anvil. A forgiving mid‑range rifle with a hard‑punching sidearm that doubles as your armor answer.
- Close‑quarters pressure: Vulcano + Bobcat. Shotgun burst to finish fights fast, with an SMG for chasing. Add an anti‑ARC option if machines are on the agenda.
- Mid/long control: Renegade or Osprey + Venator (or Anvil). Lock down lanes and keep a sidearm that can end a push or break armor in a pinch.
- When you can: Bettina, Anvil, or Ferro are strong crafts that scale from early runs into late‑game routes.
Why tier lists disagree — and how to choose for your run
- Armor matters: Energy, heavy, and explosive options excel versus ARC. Light ammo struggles against plated targets, even if the gun feels great in PvP.
- Handling vs. ceiling: Rifles like Tempest and Renegade reward timing and positioning; SMGs reward aggression but lose steam at range.
- Upgrade path: The same blueprint can perform very differently once modded and leveled. A tuned “A‑tier” can outperform an unmodded “S‑tier.”
- Map and objectives: Tight interiors favor Vulcano/shotguns; open approaches bring Osprey/Jupiter into their element. Build for the route you plan to take.
The simplest approach is to anchor your kit with one all‑rounder (Tempest, Renegade, or Bettina) and reserve your second slot for a true ARC solution (Anvil, Ferro, Equalizer, Jupiter, or Hullcracker). That two‑lane plan keeps you dangerous in raider fights while guaranteeing you can finish an ARC objective without wasting ammo or time.
