ARC Raiders Weapon Tier List – Best Arsenal For Every Situation

Complete tier list of all weapons in ARC Raiders focused on penetration, stealth capabilities, and overall effectiveness. Ferro and Anvil dominate S-Tier with brutal penetration and stealth potential. Osprey, Renegade, and Jupiter form reliable A-Tier for long-range dominance. Article covers all 15 weapons including modifications, stats, and practical tips for extraction shooter gameplay.

Introduction – Why Weapon Choice in ARC Raiders Is Critical?

Look, ARC Raiders isn't just another extraction shooter where you grab the first weapon and go. Here, every decision means the difference between a successful extraction with a full inventory and returning to the lobby empty-handed.

In extraction shooters, simple math applies:
✓ Penetration = survival against heavily armored ARCs
✓ Stealth = tactical advantage against other players
✓ Modifiability = adaptability to different situations

Over the years playing extraction shooters from Escape from Tarkov through Hunt: Showdown to The Cycle, I've learned one thing: a meta weapon isn't the strongest, but the most versatile. And that's exactly why I've compiled this tier list based on practical testing during the internal Playtest, who are not under NDA.

Tier List Methodology – What Am I Rating By? 📊

Before diving into the actual tier list, I need to explain what criteria I used to evaluate individual weapons. It's not just about pure damage per second (DPS), but a comprehensive view of usability in an extraction shooter environment:

Rating Criteria

Important note: This tier list reflects the current state of the game during Server Slam Playtest. Embark Studios may make balancing changes before the official October 30 release.

S-Tier – Absolute Dominance 👑

Here I've placed only two weapons that meet all critical requirements: devastating penetration + stealth capabilities + reliability. If you find one of these weapons, you have a golden ticket to successful extraction.

1. Ferro – Single-Shot Heavy Rifle

Category: Heavy | Weight: 12 kg | Mag: 5 rounds

Modifications: Barrel, Foregrip, Stock

Why Is Ferro in S-Tier?

Ferro is an absolute beast in one-shot elimination. When I say "one-shot," I mean literally – one shot and the target is gone. This weapon is the ideal "anti-ARC finisher" because it can penetrate even the heaviest armor.

✓ Brutal penetration with a single round
✓ Barrel mod = suppressor capability for stealth ops
✓ Massive damage while maintaining ammo efficiency 
✓ Excellent for ambush tactics

❌ Single-shot = long reload between shots
❌ Heavy (12 kg) = lower mobility

Practical tip: Use Ferro as a primary sniper combined with a fast sidearm (e.g., Anvil). One headshot = one kill, no exceptions. Ideal for covering team exfils.

During the playtest, I eliminated three different players at 150+ meters with a single Ferro shot each. No other weapon gives you this certainty.

2. Anvil – Hand Cannon

Category: Heavy | Weight: 8 kg | Mag: 6 rounds

Modifications: Barrel, Tech

Why Is Anvil in S-Tier?

Anvil is the best sidearm in the game, period. It's a hand cannon that functions as a primary weapon when needed. High headshot damage combined with suppressor capability (via Barrel mod) makes it a "clutch" tool for every situation.

✓ High headshot damage = instant eliminations
✓ Barrel + Tech mods = suppressor chance
✓ Reliable in critical moments
✓ 8 kg = still portable as sidearm

❌ Slow handling
❌ Small magazine (6 rounds)

Practical tip: Anvil is perfect as a backup weapon when your primary runs out of ammo or when you need to quickly finish a wounded target. An Anvil headshot is often faster than reloading your primary.

A-Tier – High Performance and Reliability 🎯

A-Tier contains weapons that are nearly perfect but have minor compromises. All three are excellent choices for long-range engagement and each has its specific advantages.

3. Osprey – Bolt-Action Sniper

Category: Medium | Weight: 9 kg | Mag: 8 rounds

Modifications: Barrel, Magazine, Stock

Why Is Osprey in A-Tier?

Osprey is the most consistent sniper rifle in the game. Unlike Ferro, it offers faster bolt-action reload and an 8-round magazine, meaning more follow-up shots without complete reloading.

✓ Consistent long-range accuracy
✓ 8-round mag = more shots before reload
✓ Barrel mod = suppressor capability
✓ Medium ammo = more available than Heavy

❌ Bolt-action tempo slower than semi-auto
❌ Medium ammo has worse penetration against heavy armor than Ferro

Practical tip: Osprey is a "safe pick" for any sniper. It's not as brutal as Ferro, but more reliable due to larger magazine and faster tempo.

4. Renegade – Lever-Action Battle Rifle

Category: Medium | Weight: 10 kg | Mag: 10 rounds

Modifications: Barrel, Magazine, Stock

Why Is Renegade in A-Tier?

Renegade is a marksman all-rounder – combines high headshot damage with decent fire rate. The lever-action mechanism isn't as fast as semi-auto, but offers better damage per shot.

✓ High damage + HS multiplier
✓ Barrel mod = stealth capability
✓ Excellent accuracy at medium to long distances
✓ 10-round mag = solid capacity

❌ Lever tempo slower than you'd expect
❌ 10 kg = not the lightest

Practical tip: Renegade is my personal favorite for mid-range combat (50-150m). Ideal for players who play "between" sniper and assault rifle roles.

5. Jupiter – Bolt-Action Heavy Sniper

Category: Heavy | Weight: 13 kg | Mag: 5 rounds

Modifications: No (Cannot be modified)

Why Is Jupiter in A-Tier (Not S-Tier)?

Jupiter has legendary alpha damage – probably the highest single-shot damage in the game. So why isn't it in S-Tier? Because it cannot be modified. No suppressor = no stealth. For my tier list where stealth is a priority, that's a problem.

✓ Extreme pick-off potential
✓ Heavy penetration = ignores most armor
✓ One-shot capability on almost anything

❌ Small magazine (5 rounds)
❌ Cannot be modified = no stealth option
❌ Slowest bolt-action

Practical tip: Jupiter is a "statement" weapon. When you use it, everyone knows you're here. Great for aggressive teams that want to control territory through the sound of dominance.

B-Tier – Solid Choices For Most Situations 💪

B-Tier is about versatility. These weapons aren't the best at any single thing, but they're good at everything. Great for beginners or when you need a universal loadout.

6. Arpeggio – 3-Round Burst AR

Category: Medium | Weight: 7 kg | Mag: 30 rounds

Modifications: Barrel, Foregrip, Magazine, Stock

✓ Most mods (4 slots)
✓ Burst accuracy + solid DPS
✓ Barrel mod = stealth possible
✓ 30-round mag = good capacity

❌ Aim-dependent (burst pattern requires skill)
❌ Less flexible than full-auto

7. Tempest – Full-Auto AR

Category: Medium | Weight: 6.5 kg | Mag: 30 rounds

Modifications: Barrel, Foregrip, Magazine

✓ Balanced "workhorse" for all situations
✓ Full-auto = easier to use
✓ Barrel mod = stealth possible
✓ Lighter than most ARs

❌ Only medium accuracy
❌ Nothing extreme in any aspect

8. Kettle – Semi-Auto AR

Category: Light | Weight: 5 kg | Mag: 20 rounds

Modifications: Barrel, Foregrip, Magazine, Stock

✓ Ammo efficient (Light)
✓ Accurate for taps
✓ Barrel mod = stealth
✓ Lightest AR (5 kg)

❌ Low bullet velocity
❌ Long reload
❌ 20-round mag might be insufficient

9. Venator – Double-Barrel Pistol

Category: Medium | Weight: 4 kg | Mag: 2 rounds

Modifications: Foregrip, Magazine

✓ Strong initial "double tap"
✓ Quick draw as sidearm
✓ Medium damage

❌ No Barrel slot = no suppressor
❌ Small magazine (2 rounds)
❌ Reload is a critical moment

C-Tier – Niche and Starter Weapons 🔧

C-Tier weapons have their specific use-cases but aren't versatile. Some are great for stealth (Hairpin), others are just available starter choices (Burletta).

10. Hairpin – Single-Action Pistol (Built-in Suppressor)

Category: Light | Weight: 3 kg | Mag: 8 rounds

Modifications: Magazine

✓ Built-in suppressor = natural stealth
✓ Light ammo = widely available
✓ Silent movement without detection

❌ Awkward handling (single-action)
❌ Limited modifications (Magazine only)
❌ Low damage

Practical tip: Hairpin is the perfect stealth sidearm for PvE farming runs where you don't want to attract attention.

11. Burletta – Semi-Auto Pistol

Category: Light | Weight: 2.5 kg | Mag: 12 rounds

Modifications: Barrel, Magazine

✓ Barrel mod = possible suppressor
✓ Available, quick taps
✓ Lightest sidearm

❌ Very low damage
❌ Effective only up close

12. Rattler – Full-Auto AR

Category: Medium | Weight: 6 kg | Mag: 10 rounds

Modifications: Barrel, Foregrip, Stock

✓ Barrel mod = stealth possible
✓ Cheap, universal
✓ Full-auto = easy to use

❌ Only 10-round mag
❌ Reload after 2 rounds = weird mechanic

13. Stitcher – SMG

Category: Light | Weight: 4 kg | Mag: 25 rounds

Modifications: Barrel, Foregrip, Magazine, Stock

✓ 4 mod slots = high customization
✓ Barrel mod = stealth
✓ Solid DPS up close

❌ Worse recoil control
❌ Smaller mag than expected for SMG

D-Tier – Situational and Limited ⚠️

D-Tier doesn't mean "bad," it means very situational. These weapons have an extremely narrow use-case or are significantly outperformed by other choices.

14. Vulcano – Semi-Auto Shotgun

Category: Shotgun | Weight: 8 kg | Mag: 6 rounds

Modifications: Shotgun Barrel, Foregrip, Magazine, Stock

✓ Fast follow-up shots
✓ Possible shotgun suppressor version of Barrel mod

❌ Massive damage falloff at medium range
❌ Small magazine for a shotgun

15. Il Torro – Pump-Action Shotgun

Category: Shotgun | Weight: 9 kg | Mag: 8 rounds

Modifications: Shotgun Barrel, Foregrip, Magazine, Stock

✓ High alpha damage on contact
✓ Limited stealth possible (if shotgun suppressor exists)

❌ Very short effective range
❌ Slow pump-action

16. Torrente – LMG

Category: Medium | Weight: 11 kg | Mag: 60 rounds

Modifications: Barrel, Magazine, Stock

✓ 60-round mag = suppressive fire
✓ Barrel mod technically possible

❌ Accurate only when crouched
❌ Practically loud even with suppressor
❌ Very heavy

17. Bobcat – High-ROF SMG

Category: Light | Weight: 3.5 kg | Mag: 30 rounds

Modifications: Barrel, Foregrip, Magazine, Stock

✓ Extreme rate of fire
✓ Barrel mod = possible suppressor
✓ Lightweight

❌ Low accuracy
❌ Low damage per bullet

18. Equalizer – Beam Rifle (Energy)

Category: Energy | Weight: 7 kg | Mag: 50 energy

Modifications: No (Cannot be modified)

✓ 50 mag continuous beam
✓ Unique playstyle

❌ Cannot be modified
❌ No stealth
❌ Unknown range and effectiveness

Recommended Loadouts by Playstyle 🎮

Aggressive Sniper

Primary: Ferro (S-Tier) + suppressor
Secondary: Anvil (S-Tier)
Strategy: Long-range pick-offs, aggressive positioning

Stealth Operative

Primary: Osprey (A-Tier) + suppressor + stock mods
Secondary: Hairpin (C-Tier) – built-in suppressor
Strategy: Pure stealth gameplay, avoid detection

Balanced Marksman

Primary: Renegade (A-Tier) + all mods
Secondary: Burletta (C-Tier) + suppressor
Strategy: Mid-range control, versatility

Close-Range Rusher

Primary: Arpeggio (B-Tier) burst build
Secondary: Venator (B-Tier)
Strategy: Aggressive CQB, fast rotations

Most Common Weapon Selection Mistakes ❌

During the Server Slam Playtest, I saw players making the same mistakes over and over:

❌ Mistake 1: Using shotguns (Vulcano, Il Toro) outside buildings
❌ Mistake 2: Taking Jupiter without backup – if you miss the first shot, you're done
❌ Mistake 3: Ignoring mod slots – Barrel slot = stealth possibility
❌ Mistake 4: Overvaluing mag size – 10 accurate rounds > 60 sprayed
❌ Mistake 5: Playing LMG (Torrente) solo – you need team support

💡 Pro tip: Always have a backup plan. Primary heavy? Secondary light. Primary loud? Secondary stealth.

FAQ

Q: Which weapon is best for beginners?
A: Tempest (B-Tier) or Arpeggio (B-Tier). Both are full-auto/burst, have good mag size, and are forgiving. Tempest is simpler, Arpeggio has higher skill ceiling.

Q: Is Jupiter worth it even without modification capability?
A: Yes, if you play aggressively and don't mind everyone hearing you. One-shot potential is unmistakable. But for stealth? No.

Q: What's the difference between Light, Medium, and Heavy ammo?
A: Light = more common, lower damage, worse penetration. Medium = balanced. Heavy = rarer, massive damage, better penetration. Heavy ammo is an investment.

Q: Can I use shotguns effectively in an extraction shooter?
A: Limited. Shotguns are great in buildings and choke points, but in the open-world extraction environment like Arrakis in ARC Raiders, they're very situational. Most combat is mid-to-long range.

Q: Which sidearm is absolutely the best?
A: Anvil (S-Tier), no debate. Functions almost like a primary weapon with hand cannon damage. The only competition is Hairpin for pure stealth builds.

Q: How important are modifications?
A: Critical. Barrel slot = suppressor capability = stealth = tactical advantage = more successful extractions. A weapon without a Barrel slot is automatically a handicap in stealth gameplay.

Q: Has the tier list changed from the first playtest?
A: Server Slam Playtest showed that penetration + stealth are the most important factors. Heavy single-shot weapons (Ferro, Anvil) significantly exceeded expectations. Shotguns and LMGs underperformed.

Final Summary

Weapon selection in ARC Raiders isn't just about what has the highest DPS. It's about:

Action Items:

1. Prioritize penetration – Heavy ammo against ARCs
2. Always consider Barrel mod slot – stealth = survival
3. Balanced loadout – heavy primary + light secondary
4. Practice makes perfect – every weapon has a learning curve
5. Don't forget the October 17 giveaway – chance for a free key!

Personally, during the full game I'll be playing Ferro + Anvil combo for maximum penetration and stealth versatility. It's expensive on ammo, but extraction shooters aren't about saving – they're about survive and extract.

See you on Speranza!

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