ARC Raiders offers some real variety with its weaponry, and it’s tough to fit all 21 guns into a tier list. However, some of the best guns are undeniably more meta than others.
In an extraction shooter like ARC Raiders, that’s no surprise, as a large gameplay incentive is to head out on raids in search of better gear and loot. After all, stumbling across a Bobcat is naturally more exciting than finding a Hairpin, but the lines begin to blur when different guns suit different purposes.
If you’re heading out on a raid and can’t decide which gear to take with you, then this guide has you covered. Here are the nine best guns in ARC Raiders, as well as the complete ARC Raiders meta guns tier list.
9 Best ARC Raiders Meta Guns You Need To Try
Before delving into the list, it’s important to note that ARC Raiders has a strong variety of weaponry, and some simply suit very specific circumstances. The Hullcracker, for example, is an ARC killing machine, but you’ll be signing your own death warrant if you try to use it for PvP.
With that in mind, this list includes guns that are generally better than the rest in as many situations as possible—PvP, PvE, and everything in between.
Anvil
Where better to start than with the Anvil? This hand cannon is arguably the best gun in ARC Raiders, for a whole host of reasons: It’s available fairly early in the game, relatively cheap to craft and upgrade, and it hits raiders and ARC like a truck.
As if that wasn’t enough, the gun is reasonably effective at all ranges, though it works best during mid-range gunfights. It’s great to open fights with before charging in with a full-auto weapon, but if you prefer to play PvE, then it’s perfect to take down any ARC the game could throw your way.
Stitcher
The Stitcher is one of the first guns you’ll encounter in ARC Raiders, but probably one of the last you’ll put down. It’s one of the cheapest guns to craft, and you don’t even need to look for a blueprint.
Don’t let its cheap price fool you, though—the Stitcher packs a mean punch. You’ll find that it can hold its own against the most kitted-out raiders topside has to offer, but it doesn’t hurt to give it a light mag if you have one spare.
Tempest
If you’re looking for an old-fashioned Assault Rifle, then you’ll want to get your hands on a Tempest. This Epic-rarity weapon is one of the most reliable guns you can find in ARC Raiders.
It boasts some solid damage output, a very respectable magazine size, and even strong ARC Armor Penetration. That being said, due to its Medium Ammo usage, it’s best used against enemy raiders, but if some ARC happen to have you in a pinch, the Tempest can more than do a job.
Il Toro
Simply put, Il Toro is one of the strongest guns in ARC Raiders purely because it is a shotgun. It doesn’t matter if its range is shorter than most or if it can be slow to fire compared to the likes of the Volcano; the fact of the matter is that at close range, Il Toro is king.
If you’re a raider who enjoys the PvP life, you’ve probably used one before, but if you haven’t, get your hands on one now. They’re incredibly cheap to craft, and it’s one of the easier Blueprints to get your hands on.
Kettle
People seem to love or hate the Kettle, but it’s a little more nuanced than that. This single-fire Assault Rifle is again one of the earliest guns you’ll get in ARC Raiders, but at face value, it has low damage output, a very slow reload, and not even the best accuracy.
So why is it one of the best guns in ARC Raiders, then? Well, it can be fired fast, very fast. Although it’s not full-auto, the bullets will fire pretty much as quickly as you can pull the trigger, meaning it can even outclass some SMGs at close range. If you’re running a free loadout and get a Kettle, know that it’s the best chance you have of making it back to Speranza.
Renegade
ARC Raiders isn’t all about close-range, as sometimes it’s best to keep your distance. If you find yourself picking enemies off from afar, then there’s no better gun to do it with than the Renegade.
Unlike the Ferro, the Renegade is a lever-action Rifle that stores more than one bullet in the chamber, meaning you can rattle off shots one after another with ease. It might do less damage than other Rifles in the game, but that fire rate more than makes up for it.
Bobcat
Of all the guns on the list, the Bobcat is probably the most sought-after. The Epic-rarity SMG is pretty much just a souped-up Stitcher, with its improved fire-rate being the key difference.
Of course, there’s the elephant in the room—finding its Blueprint. Given its rarity, you’ll have to put a bit of work into making the gun a regular in your Stash, but if you’re interested in dominating PvP, then it’s well worth the effort.
Volcano
If you enjoy Il Toro, then you’ll love the Volcano. For all of the former’s shortcomings, the Volcano makes up for them. A quicker fire-rate and higher damage make the semi-automatic Shotgun the champion of close-range combat.
However, there’s one major caveat—get a magazine mod on it as soon as possible. Thanks to the increased fire-rate and the base magazine size of four, you’ll find the barrel running dry much quicker than you’d like.
Venator
You’re probably seeing a Pistol and doubting that it’s one of the best guns in ARC Raiders, but it’s here for very good reason. The Venator is a favourite for many raiders out there, and for good reason, too.
This lightweight Pistol packs a serious punch, both thanks to its semi-auto fire-rate and due to the fact that it fires two bullets per trigger press. With that in mind, it melts through ammo, so you’ll want a fair bit of Medium Ammo in your pack. Level this bad boy up to Rank 4—you’ll never look back.
Complete ARC Raiders Guns Tier List—All Guns, Ranked
There are 21 guns in ARC Raiders right now, but only five of them make it into the S-Tier ranking.
Here is the complete ARC Raiders gun tier list, with S representing the best in class, and D showcasing the downright rotten.
| Tier | ARC Raiders Gun Name |
|---|---|
| S | Anvil Venator Renegade Bobcat Vulcano |
| A | Il Toro Stitcher Tempest Kettle Bettina Ferro |
| B | Osprey Aphelion Torrente Jupiter Burietta Arpeggio |
| C | Rattler Hullcracker Equalizer |
| D | Hairpin |
These rankings are likely to change with each update, so be sure to check back whenever there’s a new update—who knows, you might discover a new favourite.
What do you think of the ARC Raiders guns tier list? Are there any guns that were judged too harshly, or some that were overhyped? Share your thoughts in the official Insider Gaming Discord.
For more ARC Raiders, check out how you can get your hands on some Guitars, as well as an explanation of what Aggression-Based Matchmaking is really all about.
Renegade is a lever action.
Kettle after nerfs should be C.
Not once have I had a kettle and thought: this will get me out of this situation
Bettina is a D tier. Thing is just the FAL. Heavy rounds increase weight. You chew through 3 stacks of heavy. Not to mention it takes the Bettina almost double/triple the rounds that the anvil and hairpin need.
Hairpin is a B tier. It does more than the Bettina and kettle combined with a mag upgrade.