The Best Guns in ARC Raiders – What to Use, When & Why
If you're diving into ARC Raiders — check it out here: official website and its Steam page — you quickly realize that weapon choice isn’t just an after‑thought: it’s central to survival. You're heading into a high‑stakes PvPvE extraction environment where you’re up against both AI (the ARCs) and other human Raiders. The right gun can mean the difference between walking away with loot, or walking away with nothing.
In this guide I’ll break down:
Why your weapon choice matters in ARC Raiders
The best all‑round weapons you should absolutely know
Situational picks: what to use for stealth, for rush fights, for heavy ARC armour
How to upgrade and customise your guns for maximum impact
How your loadout fits into team and extraction strategy
Let’s get started.
The inventory of a Raider with two good and modded weapons (Anvil, Il Toro) that complement each other.
Why Weapon Choice Matters in ARC Raiders
In ARC Raiders you’re not just fighting human players — you’re fighting robotic ARCs, looting materials, and trying to extract with your haul. That means your weapon system needs to meet multiple demands:
Versatility vs Specialisation: Some guns are great general‑purpose options, others excel only in niche scenarios (e.g., stealth, anti‑ARC heavy armour). Choose accordingly.
Weapon Stats & Mechanics: Ammo type, magazine size, reload pattern, armour‑penetration against ARCs, weight (which affects mobility/loot capacity) all matter. For example, heavier weapons slow you down and limit loot carry.
Upgrade System: Even a lower‑rarity gun can be competitive if upgraded properly. Relying simply on “rarity = best” is a mistake.
Team & Extraction Strategy: Are you going in stealth to loot quietly? Rush‑clearing ARCs? Holding extraction zones against other Raiders? Your gun should support that role.
Understanding these factors will help you pick a weapon that matches your style and the mission at hand, rather than just grabbing “the best” one blind.
Top All‑Round Guns (Best for Most Situations)
Here are weapons that deliver solid performance across multiple mission types — if you can get them, they’re excellent anchors for your loadout.
Anvil (Uncommon Hand Cannon)
High damage per shot (~ 40 at uncommon rarity), strong armour‑penetration for ARCs.
Relatively lightweight (≈ 5 kg) compared to heavier rifles or shotguns — which helps when you’re looting.
Works well in both PvP (player vs player) and PvE (player vs ARC) contexts. According to tier lists, it’s arguably one of the best “general use” weapons you can craft early.
Tip: Use this as your go‑to if you’re uncertain about your mission type. Good balance of power and versatility.
Kettle (Common Assault Rifle, Light Ammo)
Frequently highlighted as one of the best beginner/early game choices. It uses light ammo (which is more abundant) and handles well.
20‑round base magazine size (at common rarity) gives more shots before reload.
Slightly weaker against heavy‑armour ARCs at range, but its mobility makes it ideal for mixed engagements.
Tip: If you’re still working up your weapons bench and crafting materials, this is a strong safe pick.
Rattler (Common Assault Rifle, Fully Automatic)
A more aggressive assault rifle choice. Fully automatic, decent stability, reasonable damage, and reasonable range. Effective against ARCs and Raiders.
Magazine size is smaller (e.g., 10 rounds at base) so you’ll want to plan reloads or quickly finish fights. Still, a few upgrades gives you enough ammo to take down another raider without reloading.
Tip: Choose this if you’re comfortable with fast‑paced fights and favour mid‑range scramble fights. A good all rounder of a weapon if you’re not a fan of other options like the Kettle and want an easier time against ARC enemies.
The Kettle is a good and cheap option for PvP and light ARC hunting in Arc Raiders.
Situational Picks — What to Use When
Sometimes you’ll face a specific scenario where one of the more specialised weapons shines. Knowing when to pull them out gives you the edge.
3.1 Long‑Range & Sniper Roles
Osprey (Rare Sniper Rifle): Built‑in long‑range scope, high damage for single shot engagements. Great for picking off ARCs or enemy Raiders from safe distance.
Ferro (Common/Uncommon Battle Rifle): Single‑shot rifle with heavy ammo, high per‑shot damage — good for precision. But slow reload means less forgiving.
Tip: Always pair with a more “mobile” gun for close encounters.
3.2 Close‑Quarters & Aggressive Play
Il Toro (Uncommon Shotgun): Extremely high damage at close range, but limited range and heavy weight (~8 kg). Great for ambushes or tight interior sections.
Bobcat (Epic SMG): Rapid fire, great for close‑to‑mid engagements especially against players. Lower damage vs heavy armour though.
Tip: Use these when you expect tight spaces (interior of facility, underground zones), or when you want to blitz into an extraction under fire. Be cautious about ARCs with heavy armour.
3.3 Heavy‑Armour / Anti‑ARC Specialists
Anvil (mentioned above) — due to its strong armour penetration, it’s one of the best all‑rounders for heavy‑armour targets.
Hullcracker (Epic Grenade Launcher): Exceptional against ARCs (heavy armour) but almost useless vs players. Big trade‑off.
Equalizer (Legendary Beam/Energy Weapon): Large magazine (50 rounds) but low player DPS; built for late‑game “raid the boss ARC” style.
Tip: If you know the mission will involve high‑tier ARC enemies (bosses, heavy units) or you're farming heavy loot, bring one of these “specialist” weapons — but only as a second slot or when you’re confident in your backup.
Upgrading & Customising Your Guns
Even the best gun won’t carry you if you leave it at base level. Upgrades and attachments matter immensely.
Every weapon can be upgraded by right clicking on them in your inventory, though you may need to upgrade your gunsmith bench — boosting stats like magazine size, reload speed, stability. Upgrading a weapon makes it MUCH better, and earlier upgrade levels will require components that are easy to find.
Resource economy: Mechanical Components, Metal Parts, Rubber Parts are required for upgrades. You’ll greatly benefit from running missions with the aim to collect upgrade mats, not just salvage.
Attachments: Many weapons support upgrades/mods like extended mags, stabilizers, suppressors (for stealth). Add attachments for easy bonuses.
Tip List:
Early game: Focus on upgrading a mid‑tier gun (e.g., Kettle or Rattler) rather than chasing rare drops you can’t craft or upgrade yet.
Mid game: When crafting rare weapons, ensure you also have the resources to keep them upgraded — a rare gun without upgrades often under‑performs a well‑upgraded uncommon.
Always consider your second weapon slot: one gun for general, one for specialist (close‑quarters, sniping, heavy‑ARC). Though taking a single more versatile weapon will be the more economical choice.
Use real‑loadout tests: Try weapons in live raids, see how you die and adjust: e.g., if you die at mid‑range because your gun lacks range or ammo, consider that.
Shotguns like the Il Toro are also a powerful up close PvP option in Arc Raiders.
Loadout Strategy & Team Synergy
Your weapon is just one piece of your broader raid strategy. Consider the following:
Role in team: If you're the “scout/looter”, you may favour a lighter, agile gun. If you're the “holder” at extraction, maybe a heavier gun suited for fights.
Ammo compatibility: Light vs medium vs heavy ammo types matter. Light ammo guns tend to do better against players but worse against ARC, while heavier weapons tend to penetrate ARC armor plating and deal good damage against them.
Map & Enemy Expectations: Know the map: are you likely to face tight corridors, open terrain, long sight‑lines, many ARCs or many players? Adapt your weapon choice accordingly.
Upgrade investment decisions: If you and your team are going into a high‑risk run together, coordinate: e.g., one brings long‑range gun, one close‑quarters gun, one support/looter.
Conclusion
Weapon choice in ARC Raiders is less about “what’s popular” and more about what fits your mission, your playstyle, and your team.
Here are your key takeaways:
Choose a strong all‑rounder (like the Anvil or Kettle) — that gives you a reliable baseline.
Have situational backups: snipers for long‑range, shotguns/SMGs for close quarters, anti‑ARC for heavy‑armour.
Invest in upgrades — a well‑upgraded uncommon may outperform a rare you never touch.
Adapt your loadout to the raid: map, team role, expected enemies matter.
If you apply these principles, you’ll not only survive more raids — you’ll dominate more of them. Good luck out there — may your extraction elevator ride sweetly with full bags of loot.
FAQs
Q: What gun should I start using as a beginner in ARC Raiders?
A: Begin with a weapon that uses more common ammo (light or medium) such as the Kettle or Rattler, upgrade it as you go, and avoid relying solely on rare drops until you’ve upgraded your workshop.
Q: Is rarity always the best indicator of a weapon’s power?
A: No — while rarer weapons have better base stats/features, upgrades, ammo availability, and your comfort with the weapon matter just as much. A heavily upgraded common may outperform a neglected uncommon.
Q: How often should I upgrade my weapons?
A: As soon as you can. Early upgrades cost less but provide huge performance gains (e.g., larger mag size, better stats) that help you survive longer. Upgrade the weapon you are using right now, not only the “future weapon”.
Q: Which weapon types are best for PvP vs PvE in ARC Raiders?
A: In PvE (against ARCs) you want high armour‑penetration, good range, and ammo suited for large targets (e.g., Anvil, Hullcracker). In PvP (against other players) Versatility, stability, and movement matter — weapons like the Kettle or Rattler are solid. But of course, combinations and team roles shift this.
