ARC Raiders Best Weapons Tier List

ARC Raiders throws you into a desperate fight against machines and other survivors, where every shot counts. Choosing the right weapon is what makes the difference between escaping with your loot and being torn apart by patrol drones.

Not every raid goes your way, and you can find yourself broke with no good guns to use. To not waste time running cheap alternatives, you can buy ARC Raiders items on Playhub. We have any weapons you may need, along with the rarest blueprints in the game to top them off.

This ARC Raiders best weapons tier list ranks every weapon currently available in the game, based on power, versatility, and real in-raid performance. You’ll find detailed reasoning for each tier, explanations for why certain guns are better, and insight into what makes each loadout best.

ARC Raiders Weapon Tier List Explained

Before diving into the rankings, it’s important to define what each tier actually represents. This helps clarify why some guns are placed higher even when their stats seem similar on paper.

Each tier describes a weapon’s real-world impact, not just its damage per shot. Consider ammo economy, flexibility, recoil control, and overall value during extractions or PvP encounters. Let’s proceed to our ARC Raiders weapon tier list explained:

• S-Tier: Top-tier weapons that dominate every situation, with excellent handling, damage, and consistent performance.

• A-Tier: Great weapons with strong stats, limited only by small drawbacks or more specific use cases.

• B-Tier: Reliable, middle-of-the-pack options that perform well but lack standout features.

• C-Tier: Early-game niche or budget picks that struggle to keep up with stronger alternatives.

These categories give context to how each weapon usually performs under pressure. Now, let’s look at the complete tier list before diving into details.

ARC Raiders Gun Tier List

Before ranking each gun, here’s a quick overview of how every weapon falls in line. This ARC Raiders gun tier list snapshot gives a top-down look at what stands above the rest and what’s better left for early missions.

This table serves as a quick cheat sheet for loadout planning. The section below breaks down each weapon and explains exactly why it lands in its respective spot.

S-Tier Weapons

These are the elite choices - these are the weapons that define the meta in ARC Raiders. They excel across all combat scenarios and remain reliable against any foe.

Anvil
A heavy hand-cannon that turns close to mid-range engagements into instant wins. Each of its heavy round shots deals devastating damage, easily punching through armor and shields. Its slower reload speed is but a small price for the kind of one-tap power it delivers. 

The Anvil thrives in both the PvP standoffs and PVE skirmishes. It’s one of the few sidearms that feels like a primary weapon when used correctly. Using its rare mods, you can turn this weapon into the strongest gun in ARC Raiders.

Tempest
The Tempest is the definition of versatility amongst ARC Raiders' meta weapons. It fires medium ammo, balances recoil beautifully, and works from close to mid-range without ever feeling weak.

Its biggest advantage is consistency. Even without the rare mods, it handles smoothly and maintains stable time-to-kill in every fight.

Vulcano
This shotgun dominates within ten meters. Its tight pellet spread and massive stopping power make it the undisputed king of indoor fights.

The Vulcano may struggle outdoors, but nothing clears rooms faster. Its burst damage keeps it firmly in S-Tier and easily makes it one of the best guns to use in ARC Raiders.

Bobcat
A lightning-fast SMG designed for aggressive play. It thrives in close-quarters brawls and pairs well with lightweight builds for fast repositioning.

While it lacks armor penetration, its fire rate and handling make up for it. Few weapons match its speed in frantic extraction fights.

Rattler
A dependable full-auto rifle that outperforms its rarity. Its recoil pattern is easy to manage, and its damage output stays competitive well into the late game.

The Rattler is perfect for players who want a balanced, all-purpose rifle before acquiring the Tempest. It earns its S-Tier slot through consistency alone.

These five weapons define the top of the food chain. They’re the tools you build loadouts around, not backups or fillers.

A-Tier Weapons

These are some of the best guns in ARC Raiders that are exceptional in their intended roles. They can rival top picks in specific conditions, but small drawbacks prevent them from reaching the top tiers.

Renegade
A lever-action battle rifle with punishing shot power and pinpoint accuracy. It rewards steady aim and patience, excelling in mid-to-long-range encounters.

While slower than an assault rifle, its raw output per round makes it dangerous in the hands of skilled marksmen.

Osprey
This semi-auto sniper rifle provides excellent range without the slow cycling of a bolt-action rifle. Its medium-ammo design gives it a balanced damage profile for general use.

Players who prefer flexible sniping without extreme recoil will find the Osprey a reliable partner for reconnaissance runs.

Jupiter
A heavy sniper built to delete enemies in a single hit. Its slow fire rate and heavy handling limit quick follow-ups, but each shot delivers massive impact, making it one of the ARC Raiders' top weapons in the right hands.

When positioned well, Jupiter can help you loot up extraction lobbies and clear mechanical enemies before they can shoot back.

Venator

A unique twin-barrel sidearm that hits like a smaller Anvil. Its dual-shot burst gives it great damage but burns through ammo quickly.

As a secondary, it excels in clutch fights or as a finisher after tagging enemies with a primary rifle.

Ferro
This powerful break-action rifle is slow to reload but hits incredibly hard. It’s a favorite for anti-ARC operations where penetration matters most.

Ferro demands precision and awareness. In the right hands, it punches well above its A-Tier label.

The A-Tier lineup represents weapons that can carry entire missions if used correctly. They lack only the ease and flexibility that make S-Tier guns universal choices.

B-Tier Weapons

B-Tier weapons are serviceable and dependable, but can rarely perform well under heavy pressure. You won’t find them in the ARC Raiders' best loadouts, but they form the backbone of early-to-mid progression before higher-tier drops appear.

Stitcher
An SMG that relies on sheer fire rate to win close fights. It’s accessible and lightweight, but lacks accuracy at medium range.

If you’re clearing small structures or ambushing lone players, it gets the job done. Beyond that, its value fades fast.

Burletta
A semi-auto sidearm that offers speed over power. It’s one of the better early pistols thanks to easy control, though its light ammo limits late-game use.

Good as a last resort weapon, the Burletta fills its role but doesn’t excel beyond it.

Equalizer
A beam weapon that melts machines but struggles in PvP. It’s flashy, effective against ARCs, and satisfying to use-until ammo scarcity becomes a problem.

Players who plan their energy reserves carefully can extract great value from it, but most will prefer conventional rifles.

Il Toro
A pump-action shotgun that packs a serious punch in confined spaces. However, its slow reload leaves you exposed after each shot cycle.

It’s not the best shotgun in ARC Raiders, but Il Toro can still save you in sudden indoor duels, even though it lacks the control and consistency of the Vulcano.

Hullcracker
This grenade-launcher variant is devastating against mechanical enemies. Unfortunately, it’s almost useless against players, making it highly situational.

Carry it when you know you’ll face heavy ARC patrols, otherwise, the slot is better used for general-purpose weapons.

Arpeggio
A burst-fire rifle that rewards precision aiming. It performs admirably in mid-range engagements but loses efficiency against moving targets.

Its burst rhythm takes practice, but once mastered, it’s a satisfying and dependable choice for balanced builds.

B-Tier guns remind you that skill and awareness matter more than pure numbers. They may not be predominant, but they remain entirely viable in coordinated squads or in the hands of proficient solo players.

C-Tier Weapons

C-Tier covers guns that are mainly used in the ARC Raiders' early game loadouts and experimental designs that simply don’t hold up over time. They have clear uses but lack long-term potential in higher difficulties.

Hairpin
A silenced sidearm meant for stealth runs. It’s quiet and efficient against unaware enemies but weak in open combat.

Hairpin works as a utility weapon, not a mainstay. Think of it as an infiltration tool rather than a firefight companion.

Kettle
A budget-grade rifle that feels fine early on. Its light ammo and mild recoil help new players learn recoil control and aiming, making it one of the ARC Raiders' best beginner weapons.

Still, the lack of stopping power and slow reload make it obsolete once stronger rifles drop.

Torrente
This LMG’s large magazine might look tempting, but its recoil and sluggish aim speed hold it back. The slow mobility cost outweighs the firepower advantage.

In defensive situations, it’s tolerable, yet in open fights, lighter weapons always outperform it.

These weapons are stepping stones for beginners or backups in case of bad loot runs. Upgrade out of them as soon as better drops become available.

Gameplay and Loadout Tips

Using ARC Raiders' meta weapons is only a part of the equation of winning your raids. Understanding how to manage ammo, recoil, and positioning determines how well you perform with any gun.

Before diving into the tips, here’s a concise list of core factors every player should remember during loadout planning. They affect every tier and often decide the outcome of your scavenge mission.

• Ammo Types: Light ammo offers players with cheap quantity but can’t deliver real damage. Medium ammo balances damage and stability, while heavy ammo shreds through armor at the cost of scARCity.

• Mod Slots: Suppressors, grips, and scopes greatly improve versatility. Weapons without mod capacity often struggle in stealth or extended fights.

• Handling & Mobility: Heavy weapons slow you down and drain stamina faster. Always match gun weight to your intended playstyle.

• Role Awareness: Carry tools that complement your role - scouts need speed, tanks need penetration, and snipers need range.

• Backup Strategy: Secondary weapons are lifelines during reloads or ammo shortages. Pick one that covers your primary weaknesses.

Understanding these points turns even mid-tier weapons into reliable tools. Gear synergy matters more than chasing raw damage stats alone.

Conclusion

ARC Raiders rewards players who adapt, not just those who follow the meta. The best weapon is the one that matches your rhythm, aim control, and risk tolerance during extractions.

S-Tier weapons of our ARC Raiders weapon rankings, like the Tempest or Anvil, will always feel powerful, but a practiced player can still dominate with Renegade or Arpeggio under the right circumstances. Every gun has a story-it’s up to you to find which one fits yours.