The latest ARC Raiders update added two brand-new weapons that have significantly impacted the meta. Dolabra, the latest shotgun added to the game, is both a PvP powerhouse and a PvE sweeper thanks to the massive damage it can inflict. Meanwhile, the Canto seems to have been largely overlooked by the community, even if it does provide niche uses. Bringing the right weapon for each match significantly increases your chances of winning gunfights and extracting. Use this tier list the next time you need a quick guide to the best weapons in the game.
Ranking Explained
To avoid crowding each category, the S tier will have 1 weapon from each class, and the rest of the tiers won't have any limit. This change is mainly due to an imbalance in the number of guns across categories.
| Tier | Weapons |
|---|---|
| S |
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| A |
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| B |
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| C |
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| Skip |
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What makes it work
Venator (Still the best)
The Venator has been the PvP workhorse. It is the go-to weapon for players seeking to PvP or even just do some quests and PvE content. At Blue rarity, the weapon is not so rare that losing it would not feel like going all in on black when the ball landed on red at a roulette table. It has great damage, rewards aggressive gameplay, and has decent range and magazine capacity. It uses Medium Ammo, which makes it a decent weapon for ARCs as well.
Renegade
Out of all the weapons in the game, the Renegade has the most drastic yet positive change when fully upgraded. At its core, the gun's slow fire rate makes it a liability in close-range fights but still a menace at longer ranges. However, upon reaching rank IV, the Renegade becomes a versatile multitool for Raiders. When paired with the right attachments, the gun can deal with nearly all threats Topside. It is accurate, shoots fast when upgraded, and investing in the gun has significant returns.
Tempest
If you had to bring an assault rifle into your raids, the Tempest is really the only ‘meta’ option. It's a versatile weapon with a decent base fire rate. The recoil is easily manageable, and it has one of the best TTKs in the game, especially compared to other weapons in its class. The biggest downside to running the Tempest is sustainability. Its blueprint is not easy to find, and upgrading it to reduce reload time is extremely expensive.
Bobcat
If turning your opponents into Swiss cheese is your thing, then the Bobcat is for you. It has a blisteringly fast fire rate with decent damage. In close-range, the Bobcat has no equal in terms of TTK. The only real problem with the Bobcat is finding its blueprint, which is considered one of the rarest in the game.
Dolabra
One of the latest guns added to the game is also one of its most terrifyingly effective weapons. The Dolabra is the only energy shotgun, and it has two modes of fire, which makes it a unique weapon. It has the most range in its class and is an aggressive player's dream gun, thanks to its ability to harass and punish mispositioned players. It is the rarest gun in the S tier, and rightfully so, because of its shield-deleting damage.
