- ARC Raiders weapons are ranked from S to D based on Patch 1.29.0 balance data.
- Anvil and Bettina sit in S-tier for PvP finishing power and sustained mid-range pressure.
- Ammunition economy matters as much as raw damage — pick calibers you can reliably craft or loot.
- Match the weapon to the map: shotguns suit Buried City interiors, rifles suit Spaceport sightlines.
- Re-evaluate after every balance patch; weapon value shifts with recoil, TTK, and ammo changes.
Weapon Fundamentals: How We Rank Guns
Weapon value in ARC Raiders is never a single damage number. A gun earns a high tier only when it performs across four separate dimensions: engagement distance, ammunition economy, enemy type (ARC machines versus human Raiders), and squad role. The tier list below uses Patch 1.29.0 as its reference point, so treat any older ranking you find online as outdated until you verify it against the current combat balance blog.
The core trade-off to understand is risk versus output. A heavy, high-damage rifle tears through a Bastion's armor but burns scarce heavy ammunition and slows your movement while carrying a full backpack. A cheap shotgun costs almost nothing to run and dominates interiors, but it strands you on long sightlines.
Never bring a weapon whose ammunition you cannot replace within two raids. Losing a gun is recoverable; losing your only stockpile of a rare caliber stalls your progression for days.
| Factor | Why It Matters | What to Check |
|---|---|---|
| Engagement distance | Determines map fit | Sightline length of your farming route |
| Ammo availability | Limits sustained use | Can you craft or loot this caliber regularly? |
| Enemy type | Changes damage needs | ARC components vs. Raider armor |
| Noise profile | Draws third parties | Loud weapons invite ambushes during extraction |
| Carry weight | Affects escape ability | Full backpack + heavy weapon = slow rotation |
ARC Raiders Weapons Tier List (Patch 1.29.0)
These rankings cover broad combat roles so they hold up for solo raids and coordinated three-player squads alike. Each tier groups weapons that solve similar problems at a similar level of reliability.
| Tier | Weapons | Role | Best For | PvP / PvE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | Anvil | High-impact sidearm | Finishing fights, close-to-mid solo play | Excellent / Good |
| S | Bettina | Assault rifle | Squad fights, sustained mid-range pressure | Excellent / Excellent |
| A | Ferro | Precision rifle | Long sightlines, overwatch, opening damage | Very Good / Good |
| A | Stitch | Close-range automatic | Aggressive pushes, indoor fights | Very Good / Good |
| B | Kettle | Entry shotgun | Early raids, building fights, budget runs | Situational / Good |
| B | Rattler | General-purpose automatic | Flexible mid-range on a budget | Good / Good |
| C | Il Toro | High-damage shotgun | Ambushes, tight interiors | Situational / Situational |
| C | Venator | Precision sidearm | Backup damage, controlled pistol play | Situational / Good |
| D | Starter setups | Improvised fallback | Map learning, low-risk recovery raids | Limited / Limited |
Solo Extraction Pick
- Bettina for all-around reliability
- Ammo-efficient across PvE and PvP
- Forgiving recoil for new aim habits
Squad Fighter Pick
- Ferro overwatch plus Anvil finisher
- One player holds long angles
- Others push with close-range weapons
Budget Recovery Pick
- Kettle plus a cheap secondary
- Near-zero loss on death
- Ideal after a failed high-value raid
Embark adjusts weapon balance regularly. After each patch notes drop, re-check recoil, damage, and ammo changes before trusting any tier placement — including this one.
Attachments and Ammunition Strategy
Attachments multiply a weapon's effectiveness, but spending rare components on the wrong gun wastes progression resources. Prioritize attachments that patch the weapon's weakness rather than stacking a single stat.
| Weapon | Priority Attachments | Ammunition Type | Handling Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anvil | Stability, aim speed, magazine | Handgun | Fast draw for mid-fight swaps |
| Bettina | Recoil control, optic, magazine | Rifle | Best all-purpose ammo economy |
| Ferro | Optics, stability, reload speed | Precision rifle | Holds long lanes on Spaceport |
| Stitch | Hip-fire control, handling, magazine | Light automatic | Dominant in Buried City interiors |
| Kettle | Handling, spread control, reload | Shotgun | One-shell reload discipline matters |
| Rattler | Recoil control, magazine | Automatic | Budget substitute for Bettina |
Choose Your Caliber First
Decide which ammunition your crafting setup can sustain before picking a gun. A slightly weaker weapon in an abundant caliber beats a strong gun you can't feed.
Patch the Weakness
Add attachments that fix the weapon's weakest stat — handling on shotguns, recoil on automatics, optics on precision rifles.
Match the Map
Long sightlines favor Ferro and Bettina; dense interiors favor Stitch, Kettle, and Il Toro.
Reinvest After Extraction
Only upgrade attachments on weapons you extract with repeatedly. Proven tools deserve the components.
Sell duplicate low-tier weapons when they offer no dismantling value, and recycle spares when their materials are worth more than their resale price — that material stream funds your next attachment batch.
Weapon Selection by Map and Scenario
The right weapon changes with the environment. Use this cross-reference to plan loadouts before deploying, and check the map conditions — events like Frozen Trail alter route priorities and exposure.
| Map | Conditions | Recommended Weapons | Key Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dam Battlegrounds | Open approaches, vertical sightlines | Bettina, Ferro | Long exposed crossings |
| Buried City | Dense interiors, short sightlines | Stitch, Kettle, Il Toro | Stairwell and chokepoint ambushes |
| Spaceport | Long sightlines, large structures | Ferro, Bettina | Runways and loading areas |
| Stella Montis | Complex interiors, tight routes | Stitch plus Anvil backup | Fixed extraction approaches |
| Frozen Trail conditions | Exposed snow routes | Bettina, mid-range setups | Predictable movement lanes |
For ARC-heavy objectives, pair your primary with a high-burst secondary: fast-firing weapons handle Ticks, accurate rifles track Hornets, and concentrated squad fire plus flanking angles is the practical answer to a Bastion. Skip optional turret fights entirely — bypassing usually costs less than destroying.
A loud, prolonged weapon fight attracts both ARC reinforcements and nearby squads. Rotate after firing, and never start an engagement you have not planned an exit for.
Pre-Raid Weapon Checklist
Before You Deploy:
- Primary and secondary use ammunition I can replace within two raids
- Attachments patch the weapon's weakest stat, not a stacked favorite
- Loadout matches the map's average sightline length
- Enough reserve ammo for ARC machines and one player encounter
- At least one inventory slot left for mission or high-value items
Weapons FAQ
Q: What are the best ARC Raiders weapons overall?
As of Patch 1.29.0, the Anvil sidearm and Bettina assault rifle hold S-tier for their flexibility across PvP, PvE, solo, and squad play. The Ferro precision rifle and Stitch close-range automatic sit just below in A-tier for long sightlines and interior fights respectively.
Q: Which weapon should a beginner craft first?
Start with the Kettle shotgun or Rattler automatic. Both run on inexpensive, easy-to-find ammunition, perform well in early building fights, and cost little to lose while you learn map layouts and extraction routes.
Q: How do balance patches change weapon rankings?
Embark regularly adjusts recoil, damage, and ammunition interactions. A weapon's tier depends on time-to-kill, ammo availability, and handling together, so a nerf to one stat can drop it a full tier. Always re-check the current patch notes before committing rare crafting materials.
Q: Should I bring two weapons that use different ammunition types?
Generally no, unless the mission specifically requires flexible range coverage. Splitting your ammo pool means both weapons can run dry mid-fight. Match your primary and secondary to one sustainable caliber whenever possible.