Arc Raiders PvE Weapons Tier List

Last Update: 26/08/2026

Discover the best weapons against the Arc in PvE

Weapons in ARC Raiders fundamentally shape how you approach every encounter. Whether you're clearing out tight indoor complexes or exploring wide, open spaces, you will constantly rely on weapons tailored to your playstyle and the situation in front of you. Close-quarters fighters lean toward fast-handling shotguns or SMGs; long-range tacticians prefer rifles, or snipers, and hybrid players mix utility, burst, and sustained DPS depending on their loadout. 

However, there is one important thing to keep in mind, raw performance is not everything. This is an extraction game, after all. A weapon that looks godly on paper can become a questionable financial decision when its blueprint requires rare materials or losing it means saying goodbye to several hard-earned components.

This article focuses exclusively on the PvE weapon meta, where enemy behavior, weak-spot targeting, and sustained damage matter more than raw burst or dueling potential. If you're looking for the PvP Tier List, you can find it here: PvP Weapon Tier List for Arc Raiders

S TIER
A TIER
B TIER
C TIER
D TIER

Detailed Ranking Criteria & Weapon Tier Explanations for Arc Raiders PvE

These weapons dominate PvE due to extremely high burst damage, excellent stagger, and strong performance against armored ARC units. Bettina stands out after receiving significant buffs to damage, dispersion, and ARC armor damage, making it one of the most reliable sustained-DPS weapons in the game. Anvil brings unmatched stagger output and strong armor penetration, while Hullcracker provides exceptional AoE burst and remains one of the best tools for dealing with heavily armored targets despite previous nerfs. Equalizer also earns its place thanks to its high sustained damage and very strong ARC armor penetration, although its expensive crafting requirements make it a less economical choice for everyday raids.

A-tier weapons provide stable DPS, good accuracy, and consistent performance across most PvE missions. Ferro offers excellent damage and ARC armor penetration while being remarkably cheap to craft and replace, making it one of the best value-for-money weapons available. Tempest and Renegade offer strong sustained damage and reliable handling, while Aphelion and Jupiter excel in more specialized roles. Jupiter delivers exceptional single-shot impact with its 60 base damage and very strong ARC penetration, but its expensive crafting requirements and more specialized nature keep it just below the top tier.

These weapons remain serviceable but show clear limitations in burst potential, range, magazine size, or ARC armor penetration. Venator, Osprey, and Torrente can perform well in the right situations, while newly added Rascal benefits from strong ARC penetration but is held back by its limited magazine and specialized role. Kettle, Burletta, and Arpeggio remain reliable budget options, but require more effort or ammunition to match the performance of higher-tier weapons. Dolabra can deliver strong damage in specific encounters, although its high rarity and niche utility make it harder to justify for regular PvE runs.

C-tier weapons struggle with lower DPS, weaker ARC penetration, limited range, or niche utility that rarely makes them worthwhile in higher-difficulty missions. Canto, Il Toro, and Vulcano can still perform well at close range, but their effectiveness is heavily dependent on positioning. Stitcher, Rattler, and Bobcat are generally more attractive in PvP, where their handling and close-range pressure matter more. They can certainly be used in early or casual PvE content, but are consistently overshadowed by weapons in the higher tiers.

Hairpin sits alone in the lowest tier due to its extremely low damage, poor scaling, and lack of meaningful strengths. It underperforms in every mission type, making it the weakest PvE weapon in the current meta.

Final Thoughts

We will continue updating this Arc Raiders PvE weapon tier list after every major balance patch, content update, or important gameplay adjustment to ensure all rankings remain accurate and relevant. As the meta shifts and new weapons or mods are introduced, some positions may change—so feel free to revisit this page regularly.

If you have feedback, suggestions, or your own weapon performance experiences to share, we encourage you to leave a comment or reach out. Community insight helps us keep this guide as precise and helpful as possible.

For more Arc Raiders guides, builds, and gameplay resources, make sure to browse the rest of our website. You can also visit the Odealo marketplace to securely trade with other players using real money, with trusted sellers and fast delivery guaranteed.

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