Allyson is an Editor at TheGamer. A graduate of the University of North Texas, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism.
When she’s not busy editing/writing, she’s likely championing the Oxford comma and sipping on overpriced iced lattes.
Arc Raiders throws a lot at you, and while skill and teamwork go a long way, the right gun can completely reshape how you play. With so many craftable options and ammo types to juggle, knowing which weapons are actually worth investing in saves you time and a whole lot of respawns.
After hours of testing and pushing each gun to its limits across both PvE and PvP encounters, these are the weapons that consistently rise above the rest. Some are early standouts, others require higher-tier Gunsmith stations, but all of them bring something powerful, and in many cases, surprisingly flexible, to your loadout.
Here are the best weapons in Arc Raiders, and why they work.
Arpeggio
The Arpeggio is one of the most unique weapons in Arc Raiders, and that alone earns it a spot on the list. As the only burst-fire weapon in the game, it has a tight three-round punch with each trigger pull. It runs on medium ammo, and while its base stats are solid, it truly shines when you start pairing it with the right mods.
The Arpeggio benefits massively from upgrades that tighten spread or increase burst stability. When properly modded, it becomes a very accurate assault rifle that works best in mid-range duels and PvE encounters where precision is what really matters. It has moderate armor penetration, which helps soften ARC armor without dipping into heavy-ammo territory.
It does require Gunsmith 2 to craft, but the investment pays off. If you like guns that reward steady aim and trigger discipline, this is one of the best rifles in the game.
Every looter-shooter has a weapon that feels way too good for its price, and in Arc Raiders, that’s the Stitcher. This fully automatic SMG is surprisingly capable for something you can crank out at Gunsmith 1, or even at Workbench 1 if you’re early enough.
The Stitcher works because of its big magazine, quick reloads, and steady fire pattern. It chews through enemies with light ammo and maintains great mobility. This is perfect for anyone who likes to farm lower-tier ARC enemies. It also serves as a strong early PvP gun thanks to its forgiving recoil.
It is not the hardest-hitting gun on the list, but its combination of affordability and handling makes it one of the best early- and mid-game weapons in Arc Raiders. If you want pure cost-to-value efficiency, the Stitcher is hard to beat.
Tempest
If the Arpeggio is stylish and quirky, and the Rattler is a scrappy underdog, the Tempest is the classic it-just-works assault rifle. This fully automatic medium-ammo weapon hits a great balance between fire rate and accuracy. It doesn’t swing wildly in any direction: no extreme recoil, no sluggish fire patterns, no weird quirks. It just has steady, reliable damage output.
The Tempest also has moderate ARC armor penetration, which gives it relevance well into the late game. It requires Gunsmith 3 to craft, but by the time you unlock that tier, the Tempest becomes one of the safest, most dependable rifles available.
It’s the perfect rifle if you want consistency without having to master a gimmick. For general PvE and certain PvP builds, the Tempest slots into your arsenal effortlessly.
Bobcat
The Bobcat is one of the fastest-firing light-ammo weapons in the game, and while that means it’s not the most accurate, it absolutely shreds up close. This weapon is all about aggressive play and letting the high fire rate melt through targets before they can stabilize their aim.
Crafted at Gunsmith 3, the Bobcat is a more advanced weapon meant for those who want pure damage output delivered as fast as possible. Its low accuracy doesn’t matter much when you’re dumping rounds into enemies at close range or going full SMG gremlin-mode in PvP (I see you).
Pair it with recoil-controlling mods or extended mags, and the Bobcat becomes one of the scariest SMGs in Arc Raiders.
Ferro
The Ferro is a sleeper hit for new players. As a break-action battle rifle that uses heavy ammo, it fires one extremely powerful shot at a time with significant ARC penetration on every hit. It’s craftable as early as Gunsmith 1, which makes it one of the first big-damage options that you can get your hands on.
The main drawback is that you need to reload after each shot. That makes timing and accuracy pretty essential, but if you invest in an extended mag mod, the Ferro becomes dramatically more usable.
If you’re new and want something that hits like a truck and teaches good aim, the Ferro is a must-craft.
Anvil
Some guns make the whole game feel different the moment you fire them, and the Anvil really is that gun. This single-action pistol uses heavy ammo, which gives it good stopping power and satisfying feedback on every trigger pull.
What makes the Anvil so good is its flexibility. Even though it hits like a sniper sidearm, it’s sold early by Tian Wen and can be crafted at Gunsmith 1. It also has strong ARC armor penetration. This makes it a reliable backup weapon for both long-range and armored fights.
Its handling is slow, no getting around that, but in return, you get a highly accurate, highly lethal pistol that rewards patient shots and smart positioning. If you like high-risk, high-reward weapon styles, the Anvil is the gun for you.
Renegade
One of the most well-rounded hybrid rifles in the game, the Renegade is a lever-action battle rifle that uses medium ammo and delivers excellent accuracy and moderate armor penetration. It’s also one of the most fun weapons to shoot, thanks to the lever-action and recoil profile.
The Renegade’s biggest selling point is its dual-mode flexibility: it’s just as effective in PvE boss fights as it is in PvP duels. This makes it a favorite for raiders who switch up playstyles regularly within a given mission. It requires Gunsmith 3, but once crafted, it becomes one of the most dependable weapons across all content.
If you enjoy precision rifles that feel rewarding without being slow or clunky, the Renegade is a good choice.
Rattler
The Rattler isn’t fancy. It’s not high-tier. It doesn’t have a flashy gimmick. What it does offer is one of the best budget assault rifles in Arc Raiders, especially early on. Using medium ammo and available at Gunsmith 1, the Rattler is a fully automatic, easy-to-craft rifle that simply gets the job done.
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The catch is that the Rattler reloads two bullets at a time. Unfortunately, this gives it a quirky rhythm that you’ll either love or hate. This also means you can top off your ammo mid-fight without committing to a full reload animation, which has surprising tactical value.
It’s cheap, common, and not at all glamorous, but the Rattler proves that early-game weapons don’t have to feel disposable.
Burletta
The Burletta becomes especially fun once you slap a suppressor onto it. This light-ammo semi-automatic pistol can be fired as fast as you can tap the trigger, and it offers good base accuracy and solid damage output. It’s craftable at Gunsmith 1 and also sold by Tian Wen.
The Burletta shines best in stealth-leaning PvE missions or PvP matches where you want a fast and low-profile secondary that doesn’t broadcast your position. Its semi-automatic nature lets you have controlled shots at range or rapid-fire bursts up close.
If you lean on pistols more than most raiders, the Burletta rewards the investment.
Bettina
The Bettina is one of the hardest-hitting assault rifles in Arc Raiders. Using heavy ammo, it trades fire rate for massive damage output and strong ARC penetration. It’s really a dream gun for shredding armored enemies.
Crafted at Gunsmith 3, the Bettina isn’t the fastest or most forgiving rifle on this list, but it is one of the most devastating in the right hands. Its slower rate of fire lets you land powerful, deliberate shots, and with the right mods, its stability becomes far easier to control.
If you like weapons that hit like a sledgehammer and aren’t afraid to pace your shots, the Bettina is one of the best late-game rifles available.
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