Choosing the best weapons in ARC Raiders can be the difference between surviving a chaotic firefight and being wiped out by a single Arc blast. Since every gun handles differently and each uses unique ammo types, it’s important to gear up according to the situation—whether you’re clearing Arc machines, fighting other players, or leveling your Ranger from scratch.
This guide breaks down the best PvP weapons, top PvE guns, and strongest early-game options, along with detailed weapon overviews to help you pick the perfect loadout for any encounter. You’ll learn what to craft, buy, and upgrade first so you can progress efficiently without wasting resources.
How to Choose the Best Weapons in ARC Raiders
Weapon performance in ARC Raiders shifts dramatically depending on the game mode and your progression. To decide what belongs in your arsenal, consider:
1. Your Stage of the Game
New players want cheap, lightweight weapons with common ammo. Mid- and late-game players benefit from heavier, mod-efficient, high-penetration guns.
2. Your Combat Situation
• PvP: Burst damage, precision, and mobility matter most.
• PvE: Armor penetration, magazine size, and sustained fire win fights.
• Early Game: Ease of crafting, common ammo, and low weight are crucial.
3. Mod Compatibility
Weapons that accept suppressors, tech mods, or stabilizers become far more flexible—especially for stealth or recoil-heavy guns.
4. Ammo Type & Stack Size
Energy and heavy ammo hit harder but stack poorly. Light and medium ammo provide more volume at the cost of penetration.
Use these factors to tailor your builds to each mission type.
ARC Raiders Best PvP Weapons Tier List
PvP rewards guns with fast TTK (time-to-kill), precision, low recoil, and strong mobility. Silencer-compatible weapons rank higher for stealth ambushes.
S Tier — PvP Dominators
Equalizer, Jupiter, Hullcracker, Osprey, Renegade, Anvil, Ferro, Venator
These weapons offer the strongest mix of burst damage, range control, precision, and flexibility.
A Tier — Reliable Competitive Picks
Tempest, Il Toro
Good firepower and solid recoil control make them excellent all-rounders.
B Tier — Situational but Useful
Burletta, Torrente, Bobcat
Great when modded, but require more control or have specific weaknesses.
C Tier — Limited Competitive Value
Stitcher, Rattler, Kettle, Arpeggio
Usable, but outclassed by nearly every S- or A-tier weapon.
D Tier — Avoid for PvP
Vulcano, Hairpin, Bettina
Niche, slow, or lacking burst—these weapons struggle to keep up.
ARC Raiders Best PvE Weapons Tier List
PvE emphasizes ammo efficiency, armor penetration, and sustained damage, especially against elite Arc units.
S Tier — Top PvE Specialists
Equalizer, Jupiter, Hullcracker, Osprey, Vulcano, Renegade, Bettina, Venator, Anvil, Ferro
These weapons excel at stripping armor, dealing burst damage, and eliminating Arc enemies quickly.
A Tier — Solid Workhorses
Tempest, Il Toro
Reliable damage and good ammo efficiency.
B Tier — Functional but Less Efficient
Burletta, Torrente, Bobcat
Strong utility but lacks penetration or longevity in extended fights.
C Tier — Niche Roles
Stitcher, Rattler, Kettle, Arpeggio
Usable early but falls behind in high-pressure fights.
D Tier — Poor PvE Performance
Hairpin
Too low damage and too situational for real Arc engagements.
ARC Raiders Best Early-Game Weapons Tier List
Early game is all about resource efficiency, lightweight guns, and easily craftable ammo types.
S Tier — Best Starters
Rattler, Ferro
Cheap, effective, and easy to maintain while offering strong power for new players.
A Tier — Reliable Early Options
Stitcher, Hairpin
Simple to use with common ammo.
B Tier — Decent but Requires Care
Burletta, Kettle, Venator
Solid, but ammo or recoil can become an issue.
C Tier — Use if You Must
Bobcat, Il Toro, Tempest
Capable, though not resource-efficient early on.
D Tier — Skip Early Game
Anvil, Arpeggio, Vulcano, Hullcracker, Jupiter, Equalizer, Torrente, Renegade, Bettina
Too heavy, too ammo-hungry, or too rare for beginners.
ARC Raiders Weapon Breakdown & Analysis
Below are detailed explanations of all major weapons so you can understand where each one shines.
1. Anvil
A heavyweight hand cannon firing heavy ammo.
• Massive per-shot damage
• Excellent armor penetration
• Slow handling, limited early-game use
• Two mod slots, including unique tech mod options
Perfect in late-game PvP and PvE due to its crushing stopping power.
2. Pharaoh
A long-range heavy-ammo sniper rifle.
• Devastating single shots
• Strong shield penetration
• Supports suppressors
• Slow reload and heavy weight
Ideal for patient, precise snipers who like to stay hidden.
3. Renegade
A hybrid sniper-assault rifle firing medium ammo.
• 12-round magazine
• Faster firing than Pharaoh
• Suppressor compatible
• Excellent mid-range precision
Great for players who want a versatile precision weapon.
4. Venator
A lightweight semi-auto pistol using medium ammo.
• High mobility
• Fast draw speed
• No suppressor support
• Small magazine
A solid backup weapon for duels and close-quarters scrambles.
5. Tempest
Epic assault rifle firing medium ammo.
• Large magazine
• Great recoil control
• Suppressor compatible
• Effective in both PvP and PvE
A dependable all-around rifle for mid-range fights.
6. Bobcat
A high-RPM SMG using light ammo.
• Four mod slots, including suppressors
• Great for close-quarters
• Burns ammo fast
• Weak against armor
A fantastic stealth or run-and-gun weapon.
7. Osprey
A balanced bolt-action sniper using medium ammo.
• 8-round magazine
• Good reload speed
• Four mod slots, including suppressors
• Lighter than Pharaoh
A very consistent long-range sniper choice.
8. Bettina
Epic heavy-ammo assault rifle.
• Strong burst damage
• High recoil
• Durability issues
• Heavyweight
Hard to master but rewarding in high-end PvP and PvE.
9. Hullcracker
An Arc-exclusive explosive launcher.
• Devastates armored Arc enemies
• Worthless in PvP
• Slow fire rate
• Minimal modding
Essential for PvE boss-hunting.
10. Jupiter
Legendary energy sniper.
• Insane raw damage
• High armor penetration
• No mod slots
• Small ammo stacks
Pure destruction in PvE—one of the strongest Arc killers.
11. Equalizer
Legendary energy beam rifle.
• 50-round magazine
• Incredible sustained armor shredding
• Heavyweight
• No mod slots
Perfect for PvE where mobility matters less.
12. Ferro
Basic heavy-ammo sniper rifle.
• Ideal for early to mid-game
• Strong single-shot damage
• Slow reload
• Useful mod slots
A great starter sniper that stays relevant.
13. Il Toro
A pump-action shotgun using shells.
• Huge close-range burst
• Poor at range
• Good for ambushes
Pairs well with fast secondary weapons.
14. Torrente
Heavy LMG using light ammo.
• 80-round magazine
• Great suppressive fire
• Heavy recoil
• Very heavyweight
Useful for team play but unwieldy solo.
15. Burletta
Light sidearm with light ammo.
• Quick draw
• Supports suppressors
• Good utility as backup
Effective for finishing engagements or stealth.
16. Kettle
Light semi-auto assault rifle.
• Mod-friendly
• Uses light ammo
• Good for stealth and mid-range
Reliable, especially early on.
17. Hairpin
Silenced lightweight pistol.
• Built-in stealth
• Low damage
• Good accuracy
Great for stealth players early on.
18. Berletta
Fast-drawing light-ammo pistol.
• Moderate damage
• Suppressor-compatible
• Good backup weapon
Solid secondary for aggressive builds.
19. Arpeggio
Medium-ammo burst-fire rifle.
• Accurate bursts
• Ammo-hungry
• Requires precision
Rewards players with good tap control.
20. Vulcano
Heavy-ammo semi-auto shotgun.
• Massive close-range destruction
• Slow reload
• Good mod compatibility
• Great for PvE crowd control
A monster in tight PvE spaces, but difficult in PvP.
Final Thoughts:
If you focus on crafting weapons with strong mod support early and upgrading ammo-efficient guns, you’ll quickly gain the firepower needed to tackle higher-tier Arc enemies and tougher human opponents.