Arc Raiders doesn’t give you much room for mistakes. Every fight is chaotic, every reload feels risky, and the weapon you carry can decide whether you walk away with loot or end up in the dirt. Out there, under the broken skies and ruins, your gun isn’t just gear — it’s survival.
After plenty of scav runs, failed extractions, and long nights rebuilding at the workbench, it’s clear that some weapons rise above the rest. Others? They’re better left for emergencies or early-game scrapping.
This Arc Raiders Weapon Tier List isn’t built from raw stats or patch notes — it’s built from real encounters, real firefights, and how each gun actually performs when things go wrong. Whether you’re clearing ARC patrols, raiding bases, or defending an extraction point, here’s how the current weapons stack up right now — from the reliable rifles to the close-range monsters.
Arc Raiders Weapon Tier List – Best Rifle, Shotgun Rank
S-Tier:
- Anvil
- Rattler
A-Tier:
- Kettle
- Vulcano
- Bobcat
B-Tier:
- Ferro
- Torrente
- Arpeggio
C-Tier:
- Burletta
- Hairpin
D-Tier:
- Equalizer
- Il Torro
S-Tier:
Anvil
Ammo: Heavy | Firing Mode: Single | Damage: 40 | Magazine: 6
The Anvil isn’t just powerful — it feels powerful. Every shot lands like a thunderclap. It’s a single-action cannon that rewards patience and precision more than anything else. Miss, and you’ll feel it; hit, and you’ll see your target drop instantly.
The damage is absurd for a sidearm, especially against armored ARC units. You can almost hear the plating crunch when you land a headshot. Yeah, it’s got a slow pace, but that’s part of the charm — it’s a gun for people who take aim, not chances.
Once you get used to its rhythm, it becomes the kind of weapon that never leaves your loadout. There’s something deeply satisfying about ending fights with two clean shots when others are dumping half a mag.
A-Tier
Rattler (Assault Rifle)
Ammo: Medium | Firing Mode: Full Auto | Damage: 9 | Range: 51
The Rattler is the gun that never lets you down. It’s fast, it’s simple, and it just feels right. Even though its per-shot damage isn’t much to brag about, the insane fire rate makes it a monster once you’re in the zone.
It’s the gun you use when you want to stop thinking and just fight. Against swarms of drones or other Raiders, it keeps the pressure on. And since it’s easy to craft and upgrade, you’ll always have one ready to roll.
Sure, the reload system — two bullets at a time — is weird at first, but it becomes second nature. You’ll find yourself topping off mid-fight without even realizing it.
Vulcano
Ammo: Shotgun | Firing Mode: Single | Damage: 58.5 | Magazine: 4
If the Anvil is precision and the Rattler is rhythm, the Vulcano is pure chaos. It hits like a truck up close — we’re talking one-shot potential against unarmored targets. In tight corridors or extraction tunnels, it’s easily one of the most terrifying weapons in the game.
The semi-auto firing lets you chain shots faster than traditional pump guns, which makes it perfect for aggressive players who like to stay mobile. The downside is obvious: range. Anything beyond a short sprint away starts laughing at your pellets.
Still, when used right, the Vulcano owns its space. It’s a “kick the door open and clear the room” kind of weapon, and it feels amazing to use.
B-Tier
Kettle
Ammo: Light | Firing Mode: Single | Damage: 10 | Magazine: 20
The Kettle isn’t bad — it’s just not for everyone. It rewards calm aim and smart positioning, but punishes you the second you panic. It fires slow, hits decently hard, and stays accurate even when you’re moving, which makes it great for players who prefer to keep some distance.
But here’s the thing: it feels underwhelming in heated fights. When things get chaotic, the slower fire rate makes it tough to keep up, especially against swarming enemies or fast Raiders. It’s fantastic for headshots but unforgiving when you miss.