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Updated for March 2026 — Shrouded Sky patch 1.17.0. Hover any weapon for full stat breakdown. Click to compare up to 3 weapons side-by-side.
Every weapon in ARC Raiders is evaluated against four core criteria to determine its tier placement. Rankings reflect the current Shrouded Sky meta (patch 1.17.0) and account for performance across all game modes — from solo extraction runs to squad PvP firefights and ARC boss encounters.
Raw damage output and time-to-kill across engagement distances
Effective hit rate, recoil pattern control, and consistency
Performance across PvP, PvE, and boss fight scenarios
Damage per bullet, magazine efficiency, and availability
S-tier weapons excel in at least three categories and define the ARC Raiders meta. A-tier picks are strong all-rounders that compete with S-tier in specific scenarios. B-tier weapons are solid choices that reward skilled play. C-tier weapons are situational — effective in niche roles but outclassed overall. D-tier weapons need buffs to compete in the current meta but can still work in casual play.
The current ARC Raiders S-tier weapons (March 2026, Shrouded Sky meta) are the Kettle (semi-auto AR with 82 accuracy), Ferro (break-action battle rifle with 40 damage per shot), Stitcher (CQB SMG king), Vulcano (semi-auto shotgun with 1315 DPS), and Anvil (hand cannon with 40 damage). These weapons dominate in their respective ranges.
Use the RATWATCH.GG weapon comparison tool on this page. Click up to 3 weapons to see a side-by-side stat breakdown with animated bars for damage, DPS, fire rate, magazine size, reload time, range, accuracy, and recoil. The best stat in each category is highlighted with a crown icon.
Yes. Patch 1.17.0 (Shrouded Sky) nerfed the Kettle damage from 10 to 8.5, the Stitcher damage from 8 to 6.5 with reduced headshot multiplier, and the Venator damage from 9 to 8. The Jupiter and Aphelion received buffs including faster reload and improved handling. Despite nerfs, the Kettle and Stitcher remain S-tier due to their overall versatility.
The Vulcano semi-auto shotgun has the highest raw DPS at 1315 in ARC Raiders, making it devastating at close range. The Hullcracker launcher hits 2030 DPS but only damages ARC machines. For general combat, the Anvil hand cannon delivers 652 DPS with 40 damage per shot, and the Bettina heavy AR puts out 448 DPS. The Stitcher SMG sits at 295 DPS with a blistering fire rate. DPS varies by engagement distance — shotguns dominate CQB, while battle rifles and hand cannons lead at mid to long range.
The Hullcracker launcher is the premier ARC Raiders boss killer — 100 damage per shot and 2030 DPS, but it only damages ARC machines (useless in PvP). For versatile boss-fighting, the Bettina heavy AR (14 damage, 448 DPS) shreds armored targets while still working in PvP. The Torrente LMG delivers sustained fire with its 100-round magazine, perfect for long boss damage phases. The Equalizer energy weapon is a rare all-purpose special that melts both ARCs and players. Note: the Vulcano shotgun excels in PvP close-quarters, not boss fights.
The RATWATCH.GG weapon tier list updates after every major ARC Raiders patch that changes weapon balance. The current rankings reflect the Shrouded Sky patch 1.17.0 (March 2026). We analyze DPS, time-to-kill, accuracy, recoil, ammo economy, and versatility across PvP, PvE, and boss fight scenarios. Community feedback from the RATWATCH.GG Discord also informs tier adjustments between patches.