Arc Raiders Best Weapons Ranked (Budget to Endgame)

Table of Contents

1. How We Ranked These Weapons
2. S-Tier: Endgame Melters
3. A-Tier: Reliable Workhorses
4. B-Tier: Situational but Viable
5. C-Tier: Outclassed but Usable
6. D-Tier: Leave on the Ground
7. Budget Loadout Recommendations
8. Important Notes
9. Final Take
10. Needs Verification

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How We Ranked These Weapons

Before you argue about placements — here’s the methodology. All rankings are based on base-level weapons without upgrades or attachments. We’re measuring raw effectiveness in actual gameplay, not spreadsheet theory.

PvE rankings prioritize anti-ARC machine damage, ammo efficiency, and versatility across all enemy types from Scouts to boss-tier machines. PvP rankings measure time-to-kill against player opponents with standard shield loadouts.

If you’re building your first loadout from scratch, start with the best budget loadout guide for a complete starter kit, then use this tier list to plan your upgrade path. For a full squad build around these weapons, check the best solo build guide.

Weapon categories covered:

• SMGs: Stitcher, Bobcat
• Assault Rifles: Kettle, Rattler, Arpeggio, Tempest, Bettina
• Sniper Rifles: Ferro, Renegade, Osprey, Jupiter
• Shotguns: Il Toro, Vulcano, Hullcracker
• Handguns: Hairpin, Burletta, Avenger, Anvil
• LMGs: Torrente, Equalizer

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S-Tier: Endgame Melters

These weapons define the meta. If you’re running endgame content — boss fights, high-difficulty extractions, competitive PvP — you want at least one of these in your loadout.

Hullcracker (Shotgun)

PvE Rating: 10/10 | PvP Rating: D (useless vs players)

The Hullcracker is the anti-ARC king. With 100% armor effectiveness, it melts through boss-tier machine plating faster than anything else in the game. At close range, nothing else comes close to its damage output against armored targets.

The catch? It’s completely dead weight in PvP. If you’re running a mixed-content loadout, pair the Hullcracker with a dedicated PvP weapon for when you run into other players.

Best for: Boss fights, Buried City runs, any content with heavy ARC machine density

Renegade (Sniper Rifle)

PvE Rating: 9/10 | PvP Rating: S

The Renegade performs exceptionally well in both contexts. Against boss-tier ARC machines, it delivers massive single-shot damage to weak points. In PvP, four headshots drop light-shield opponents — the time-to-kill is among the fastest in the game at range.

This is the weapon I recommend most players work toward. It’s versatile, powerful, and relevant in every content type.

Best for: Long-range engagements, boss weak point targeting, PvP sniping

Venator (Assault Rifle)

PvE Rating: 8/10 | PvP Rating: S

High damage and precision define the Venator. It rewards accurate shooters with consistent damage output and excellent range for an assault rifle. In PvP, it’s a top-tier choice for players who prefer controlled, deliberate engagements over spray-and-pray.

Best for: Mid-to-long range combat, precision-focused players, mixed PvE/PvP runs

Stitcher (SMG)

PvE Rating: 8/10 | PvP Rating: S

The Stitcher is the great equalizer. Cheap, accessible, and devastating at close range against both ARC machines and players. Its high fire rate clears basic robotic enemies quickly, and in PvP it’s a legitimate S-tier close-quarters weapon.

If you’re on a budget, the Stitcher alone can carry you through most content. It’s the single best weapon-to-availability ratio in the game.

Best for: Close quarters, budget runs, early-game progression, aggressive PvP pushes

Tempest (Assault Rifle)

PvE Rating: 8/10 | PvP Rating: S

Stable recoil and consistent damage make the Tempest a reliable pick in any scenario. Its mid-range effectiveness is unmatched among assault rifles — the recoil pattern is manageable enough for sustained fire while still hitting hard on individual shots.

Best for: All-purpose combat, mid-range engagements, players who want one weapon for everything

Anvil (Handgun)

PvE Rating: 7/10 | PvP Rating: S

The Anvil is a slow-firing hand cannon that punches way above its weight class. In PvP, it’s a legitimate primary weapon — high damage per shot rewards precision aiming. In PvE, it serves as a solid sidearm for finishing off weakened machines.

Best for: Precision PvP players, sidearm slot, anti-armor emergency damage

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A-Tier: Reliable Workhorses

These weapons won’t define the meta, but they’ll get the job done consistently. Most players will spend the majority of their time running A-tier weapons, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Kettle (Assault Rifle)

PvE Rating: 7/10 | PvP Rating: A

A cheap single-shot rifle that outperforms its cost class significantly. The Kettle is the best “free” weapon in the game — if you’re not spending coins on loadouts, this is your go-to. Effective at mid-range with decent damage per shot.

Aphelion (Sniper Rifle)

PvE Rating: 8/10 | PvP Rating: A

Lethal damage output but requires a charging mechanic that punishes missed shots. When you land, the Aphelion hits like a truck. When you miss, you’re vulnerable during the charge cycle. High skill ceiling, high reward.

Recommended by experienced players for Matriarch event fights — the charged shots chew through boss weak points.

Jupiter (Sniper Rifle)

PvE Rating: 8/10 | PvP Rating: A

High damage with visible charging indicators make the Jupiter more forgiving than the Aphelion. You can see exactly when the shot is at maximum charge. Excellent against heavy targets in both PvE and PvP.

Bobcat (SMG)

PvE Rating: 6/10 | PvP Rating: A

The fastest fire rate in the SMG category at 66.7%. Shreds at close range but burns through ammo quickly. Needs attachments to reach its potential — without them, it’s a glass cannon with limited range.

Torrente (LMG)

PvE Rating: 7/10 | PvP Rating: A

Extreme close-quarters suppression with the highest sustained fire rate among LMGs. In PvP, the Torrente locks down hallways and forces opponents out of position. In PvE, it’s a reliable ARC machine shredder at close-to-mid range.

Burletta (Handgun)

PvE Rating: 5/10 | PvP Rating: A

A close-range pistol that needs attachments to shine. Once kitted out, the Burletta becomes a legitimate sidearm for aggressive PvP builds. Without upgrades, it’s underwhelming.

Ferro (Sniper Rifle)

PvE Rating: 6/10 | PvP Rating: B

A cheap single-shot option. The Ferro gets the job done at range but lacks the damage ceiling of the Renegade or Jupiter. Good as a budget sniper before you can afford better.

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B-Tier: Situational but Viable

These weapons have specific niches where they perform well, but they’re outclassed by S and A-tier options in general use.

Il Toro (Shotgun)

PvE Rating: 7/10 | PvP Rating: B

A shotgun with surprising range for peeking in PvP. The Il Toro lets you hold angles that other shotguns can’t contest from. In PvE, it’s a solid anti-infantry weapon but falls behind the Hullcracker against armored targets.

Vulcano (Shotgun)

PvE Rating: 6/10 | PvP Rating: B

Semi-auto shotgun with decent close-range damage. The faster follow-up shots compared to other shotguns make it viable in aggressive builds, but the damage-per-shell is lower than the Hullcracker or Il Toro.

Equalizer (LMG)

PvE Rating: 5/10 | PvP Rating: B

Breaks shields effectively but struggles with health damage. The Equalizer has a niche as a shield-stripping support weapon in PvP squad compositions, but it can’t finish kills efficiently on its own.

Osprey (Sniper Rifle)

PvE Rating: 5/10 | PvP Rating: B

Limited bolt-action sniper. The Osprey does the job but offers nothing that the Ferro doesn’t do cheaper or the Renegade doesn’t do better. It’s a placeholder weapon — use it until you find something superior.

Bettina (Assault Rifle)

PvE Rating: 6/10 | PvP Rating: B

Heavy ammo assault rifle with high destructive potential. The Bettina hits hard but consumes ammo at an alarming rate. Effective in short engagements but unsustainable for extended fights.

Avenger (Handgun)

PvE Rating: 5/10 | PvP Rating: B

A middle-of-the-road sidearm. The Avenger doesn’t excel at anything but doesn’t fail at anything either. It’s the weapon you use when you haven’t found a better sidearm yet.

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C-Tier: Outclassed but Usable

These weapons work. They just don’t work as well as the alternatives. You won’t fail because you’re using them, but you’ll fail to optimize.

Arpeggio (Assault Rifle)

PvE Rating: 5/10 | PvP Rating: C

Excels in mid-distance battles demanding accuracy — when it hits. The Arpeggio’s actual damage output doesn’t match its precision potential. In the hands of a perfect-aim player, it’s adequate. For everyone else, the Tempest does the same job more forgivingly.

Rattler (Assault Rifle)

PvE Rating: 4/10 | PvP Rating: C

Tiny base magazine size is the Rattler’s fatal flaw. You’ll burn through ammo before the fight is over, and the reload cycles create dangerous downtime. It’s a starter weapon — use it early and replace it as soon as you can.

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D-Tier: Leave on the Ground

These weapons actively hurt your performance. If you find something better — and you will — drop them immediately.

Hairpin (Handgun)

PvE Rating: 2/10 | PvP Rating: D

A suppressed pistol that sounds like a good idea until you actually use it. The Hairpin’s damage output is terrible at every range. The suppression is a novelty that wears off after the first match. Don’t slot this weapon unless you have literally nothing else.

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Budget Loadout Recommendations

Not everyone has endgame weapons unlocked. Here are three budget loadouts that scale from early-game to mid-game:

Absolute Budget (0 coins spent):

• Primary: Stitcher SMG
• Secondary: Kettle rifle
• Strategy: Run close with the Stitcher, switch to Kettle for mid-range. Both are free and effective.

Early Investment (under 5,000 coins):

• Primary: Stitcher SMG
• Secondary: Ferro sniper
• Strategy: Stitcher for close encounters, Ferro for picking off isolated ARC machines at range.

Mid-Game Transition (5,000-15,000 coins):

• Primary: Tempest assault rifle
• Secondary: Hullcracker shotgun
• Strategy: Tempest handles everything at mid-range. Hullcracker obliterates armored targets up close. This loadout carries you through most mid-game content comfortably.

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Important Notes

• Weapon rankings shift with patches. Embark has rebalanced weapons multiple times since launch. These rankings reflect the current state but may change with future updates.
• Attachments matter enormously. A fully kitted B-tier weapon can outperform a stock A-tier weapon. Don’t sleep on upgrading your existing arsenal while hunting for upgrades.
• Ammo type affects viability. Some weapons consume rare ammo types that are expensive to craft. Factor ammo cost into your weapon choice for extended farming runs — the money farming guide covers the economics.
• PvE and PvP require different weapons. The Hullcracker is S-tier for PvE but D-tier for PvP. Don’t build a single loadout for both — maintain separate kits.
• The crafting guide covers weapon upgrade paths. If you’re working toward endgame weapons, prioritize crafting upgrade components for your current primary before chasing new drops.

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Arc Raiders has a surprisingly deep weapon meta once you look past the surface. The budget options — Stitcher, Kettle, Rattler — are genuinely viable for early-game content and don’t feel like placeholders. The endgame weapons — Hullcracker, Renegade, Venator — offer distinct playstyle identities rather than just bigger damage numbers.

The biggest mistake I see players make is chasing S-tier weapons before they’ve mastered the budget ones. The Stitcher alone can carry you through 80% of PvE content. Master your current weapon before upgrading — the skill transfer matters more than the stat increase.

And for the love of efficient loot runs, stop bringing the Hairpin into PvP. You know who you are.