ARC Raiders: Best Guns in 2026

When aliens invade, you’ll need powerful weapons to stand a chance. ARC Raiders provides a huge range of them, from simple pistols you can build quickly to advanced, high-tech energy weapons.

ARC Raiders features weapons with five different rarity levels: common, uncommon, rare, epic, and legendary. Surprisingly, some of the more common weapons can be very effective, particularly after upgrades and modifications—so don’t underestimate a weapon just because it’s not rare!

Before heading topside, think about how you like to play. Do you prefer carefully planning attacks from afar? Are you an aggressive player who thrives in close combat? Or are you focused on learning how to destroy ARCs while cooperating with others?

As a fellow raider, I’ve spent countless hours testing every weapon I could get my hands on. I wanted to create a guide to help everyone figure out what guns work best for their style of play, and honestly, to make sure we all have a better chance of getting back to Speranza safe and sound. I’ll make sure you’re totally prepared with all the info you need!

ARC Raiders Gun Tier List

Tier Weapons
S Aphelion, Jupiter, Equalizer, Bobcat, Bettina, Anvil, Stitcher, Venator, IL Toro
A Vulcano, Tempest, Renegade, Torrente
B Hullcracker, Osprey, Arpeggio, Kettle
C Ferro, Rattler, Burletta
D Hairpin

Here’s a guide to all the guns in ARC Raiders, listed from rarest to most common. It includes helpful tips and tricks for using each one.

20. Hairpin

If you prefer a quiet, sneaky approach, the hairpin is probably your best option. I ranked this silenced pistol low because it doesn’t pierce armor very well, but it can still be useful in the right situation.

Making a lot of noise above ground greatly increases your chances of being caught. The hairpin is great for silently disabling security cameras, alarms, and smaller automated defenses, helping you stay hidden. However, it’s not a strong weapon for direct combat.

19. Rattler

When the Rattler first came out, I would have rated it poorly because it only held 10 bullets at the start. However, a recent update increased the magazine size, making it much more effective and enjoyable to use.

This rifle, while sounding a bit rough and distant, delivers a powerful hit. Enemies will clearly hear your shots coming from far away, giving them a warning – but it still does significant damage.

18. Kettle

This rifle’s performance relies heavily on how quickly you can fire it. It received a solid ‘B’ rating because of its good accuracy and its ability to shoot rapidly.

If you’re a good shot, the Kettle is a really useful weapon that works well on any map. It’s especially strong in fights at medium distance, though it doesn’t do much damage to armored opponents.

17. Ferro

I still prefer the Ferro when I get to choose my starting weapon, especially when going up to the surface. It’s great for hitting targets from far away and has a powerful automatic aiming assist. The biggest downside is that you have to reload after every single shot, and the reload speed is painfully slow at its base level.

While improving the ferro makes it more powerful, it also slows down how quickly you can reload. To make the most of it, try to fight from a distance and always reload while safely hidden behind cover – that way, you’ll quickly gather plenty of resources.

16. Stitcher

In close-range player-versus-player fights, the Stitcher SMG is quickly becoming a favorite – mine included. With a few upgrades, like reaching level 4, adding an extended light magazine, and some attachments to improve stability, this otherwise standard gun is incredibly effective.

You’ll always face unexpected threats – like a sudden attack, a tricky enemy, or someone trying to steal your rewards. When dealing with these fast-moving surprises, the Stitcher is your most reliable choice for quickly firing off a lot of shots.

15. Burletta

This lightweight pistol is perfect as a backup when you need to reload your main weapon quickly and don’t have time to spare.

Quickly switching weapons and reloading is crucial for winning player-versus-player (PvP) battles and staying alive during ARC attacks. The Burletta pistol is a great option for players who prioritize speed and agility, and it would be fantastic to see a perk that allows you to wield two pistols in the future.

14. Arpeggio

The Arpeggio is a versatile assault rifle best used at medium range. It’s effective against both Raiders and ARCs, but you’ll get the most out of it by maintaining some distance from your enemies.

The biggest drawback of this weapon is its slow firing speed, but you can improve it by upgrading it at the gunsmithing station.

13. Il Toro

Okay, so the Il Toro isn’t super rare, but when you’re using it, it feels like you’ve got something truly special. As a PvP player, I can tell you this shotgun is amazing! If someone’s got a light shield and you’re up close, two shots is all it takes to take them down. It’s become my go-to weapon for sure.

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The IL Toro is a top-tier weapon for player-versus-player combat, and it’s also surprisingly easy to make. You only need six basic gun parts and five mechanical components to craft it, which makes it a powerful and accessible choice.

12. Anvil

The Anvil is my top pick among these weapons, and it’s surprisingly powerful for its type. It deals a lot of damage with headshots, making it good in both close and long-range fights. Plus, upgrading it significantly boosts its firing speed.

Okay, so even when I first picked it up, the Anvil hit hard – almost as much as the Ferro. The best part? It comes with a six-round mag, which is a nice bonus right from the start.

11. Osprey

Okay, so the Osprey sniper rifle is seriously amazing. It’s super powerful and accurate at long distances, and if you put some Anti-Armor Piercing rounds on it, you can basically set up on any rooftop and just wreck ARCs – or even other players, if you’re feeling bold. It’s a total game-changer for long-range dominance!

I didn’t give the Osprey a higher rating because it’s most effective in specific situations and struggles when fighting up close.

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2026-01-14 17:40