Arc Raiders Gun Tier List: Best Weapons and Loadouts for Every Playstyle

If you’ve spent any time battling across the ruined landscapes of Arc Raiders, you already know how much of a difference the right gun can make. This game is not just about dodging shots, sliding across cover, and timing your jumps. It’s also about learning which weapons hit hard, which guns fall flat, and which loadouts truly carry your squad through high-threat zones. So today, we’re breaking down a full Arc Raiders gun tier list based on real in-game experience, not just spreadsheet stats.

Whether you’re new and figuring out what to craft first, or a seasoned vet looking to optimize your loadout for late-game runs, this breakdown will help you understand the current weapon meta, how each gun feels in real fights, and which weapons are worth grinding for.

Before we get into tiers, let’s talk about what matters most in Arc Raiders when picking a gun.

What Makes a Weapon Strong in Arc Raiders?

Arc Raiders isn’t like your typical looter shooter. You’re in large open spaces, enemies move aggressively, and a lot of them are armored. So when evaluating a gun, the key things to consider are:

• Time-to-Kill: How quickly can it drop targets, especially armored or elite enemies?

• Ammo Economy: Can you reliably keep firing, or do you constantly find yourself scavenging for more?

• Handling & Mobility: How quickly you can aim, switch targets, and move matters in this game.

• Synergy With Your Class & Gear: Some guns shine more with certain kits.

• Practicality in Chaos: A weapon can look great on paper but feel terrible in actual firefights.

Alright, with that out of the way, let’s jump into the Arc Raiders gun tier list. The tiers go from S Tier (meta-defining and nearly always worth using) to C Tier (usable in specific situations but generally weaker).

S Tier: Meta-Defining Weapons

These are the weapons that just feel right. They hit hard, they’re versatile, and they don’t fall apart in late-game zones.

Grim’s Resolve (Assault Rifle)

If you want a reliable all-around weapon that handles everything from mid-range engagements to high-pressure boss fights, Grim’s Resolve is the one. Its recoil is mild, its damage output is consistent, and it won’t destroy your ammo economy. No part of it stands out as flashy, but that’s what makes it reliable.

It’s the gun you fall back on when everything else feels messy.

Thunderclap (Shotgun)

Thunderclap is your close-range monster. If you play aggressively, flank often, or run builds designed to break armor plates fast, this one belongs in your loadout. It can delete mid-tier enemies in a single well-placed blast. It rewards movement and positioning, so if you like getting in close, Thunderclap will feel like home.

The only downside is that arenas with long sightlines can force you to switch up your approach.

Reaver Rail (Railgun)

Nothing hits quite like the Reaver Rail when it comes to cracking heavy armor. This is the weapon you want when facing giant Walkers or armored elites. It demands accuracy and discipline, but the payoff is huge. Every shot lands like a hammer.

The key is patience. Don’t spam shots. Make them count.

A Tier: Very Strong and Reliable Picks

These guns are almost always good and can carry you through most encounters depending on your playstyle.

Prowler SMG

This one’s a fan favorite because it's fast, smooth, and unbelievably satisfying in close-range skirmishes. It’s fantastic against smaller mobs, especially drones and light infantry. However, its fast fire rate can drain ammo fast if you’re not disciplined.

If you like run-and-gun play, this one’s for you.

Vigil Marksman Rifle

This gun rewards precision. If you take pride in lining up clean headshots under pressure, Vigil can feel incredible to use. It’s not ideal for chaotic close-range fights, but when you’re patrolling open terrain, this thing might be your best friend.

Great for calm, controlled players.

Stormburst Launcher

This is your crowd-clearing disruption tool. It’s less about direct damage and more about creating space and controlling enemies. If your squad doesn’t have someone handling area-denial or burst control, Stormburst fills the role perfectly.

It’s situational, but when that situation appears, nothing beats it.

B Tier: Situational but Still Useful

These weapons work fine but require a bit more effort, or they fall off in certain environments.

Farview Scout Rifle

It’s accurate, it’s clean, but the pace of Arc Raiders isn’t always kind to long-range weapons. When it works, it works beautifully, but too many encounters require constant repositioning.

Great for solo play or squads playing defensively.

Hammerfall LMG

Look, Hammerfall does damage. It puts rounds downrange, and it can melt mobs. The issue is mobility. The weapon slows everything down, and in this game, mobility is survival. If you get caught exposed reloading this beast, you’re done.

Use it only when you know you’ll have cover and support.

Ember Burst SMG

Fun concept, inconsistent output. It melts enemies at very short range, but beyond that it falls apart. If you're running high-velocity flanking builds, it can work, but it’s more niche than Prowler.

C Tier: Use Only If You Have To

These weapons are not worthless, but they are outclassed by nearly everything above.

Rustshot Carbine

It’s the definition of starter weapon energy. It works. It fires bullets. But once you get anything else, you will switch instantly. It doesn’t have the damage, the handling, or the synergy that higher-tier guns have.

Hailfire Burst

Burst weapons in Arc Raiders just struggle. The game rewards consistent spray or well-timed precision shots. Burst firing feels awkward under pressure. It can be used, but there is very little reason to.

How to Choose the Right Gun for Your Build

Instead of just picking the most powerful gun in the meta, think about how you play:

The real key to Arc Raiders is synergy. Your gun matters, but so does your equipment, movement, squad positioning, and awareness. The best Arc Raiders players don’t just pick strong guns. They build loadouts that complement each other.

Where to Get Crafting Materials and Gear Fast

Since many of the best guns require crafting materials from higher-danger zones, you’ll want to either run organized squad loops or shortcut some of the grind. A lot of players grab cheap Arc Raiders items from trusted third-party marketplaces to skip the endless farming. Just make sure you use a reputable site like G4mmo if you choose to go that route.

Final Thoughts

The weapon meta in Arc Raiders will absolutely shift as patches roll in, new weapon variants get added, and the community evolves. But as of right now, the guns in the S and A tiers above will give you the best performance across the widest range of situations.

If you want to dominate, focus your time and crafting resources on Grim’s Resolve, Thunderclap, and Reaver Rail first. Those weapons won’t just help you survive. They’ll help you take control of the battlefield.

Stay adaptive, aim true, and keep pushing the line.

When the ARC comes knocking, make sure you’re the one knocking back.