Arc Raiders Tier List 1.34: Best Weapons & Armor & Traps & Everything

Tier

Weapon

Type

Why

S

Anvil

Hand Cannon

Uncommon rarity, but it hits like an Epic weapon. Strong ARC armor penetration, fast handling, and only 5 kg carry weight. The Anvil is the benchmark by which most other sidearms are measured.

A

Venator

Pistol

Fires two bullets per trigger pull. With a Medium Extended Mag and Rank IV upgrades, it has one of the fastest TTKs (time-to-kill) in the game.

B

Burletta

Pistol

A versatile all-around sidearm. It won't penetrate ARC armor, but it performs reliably in close-range engagements. A solid, inexpensive backup choice.

C

Rattler

Pistol

Small magazine and no attachment options. Useful early on, but replace it as soon as you find a better alternative.

D

Silencer Pistol

Pistol

Quiet but underpowered. Best suited for niche loot-running situations rather than direct combat.

S

Bobcat

SMG

The Stitcher's terrifying late-game evolution. Its blistering fire rate dominates close-quarters combat, often ending fights before opponents can react.

A

Stitcher

SMG

Nerfed in Shrouded Sky, but still firmly A-tier. Craftable for 800 coins or a small amount of metal and rubber, making it one of the best budget CQB options in the current meta.

A

Scorpion

SMG

Boasts one of the fastest close-range TTKs (time-to-kill) after Patch 1.26. It melts targets before they can respond and is a top choice for aggressive players.

B

Tempest

AR/SMG

A reliable full-auto hybrid weapon. It may not define the meta, but it remains effective and dependable when higher-tier options aren't available.

Tier

Weapon

Type

Why

S

Bettina

AR

One of the biggest winners of Patch 1.26, gaining +33% armor damage and -40% dispersion. It now sits in the S-tier alongside the Anvil, making it a top choice for boss farming and ARC Turbine runs.

A

Renegade

Lever-Action Battle Rifle

At Rank IV, it transforms into a highly accurate, fast, and versatile weapon. It offers some of the best PvE DPS against armored targets and rewards long-term investment.

A

Ferro

Battle Rifle

Requires only 5 Metal and 2 Rubber to craft while offering strong armor penetration. The budget Ferro build isn't a compromise—it's a cost-effective strategy. Pair it with a Stitcher for excellent all-around coverage.

B

Canto

AR

High recoil but high reward. Once equipped with the right attachments, it becomes a formidable PvP weapon that remains surprisingly overlooked by much of the community.

C

Aphelion

Legendary Battle Rifle

A legendary weapon that fires two rounds per trigger pull. While powerful, the Renegade delivers most of the same benefits at a fraction of the cost, making the Aphelion difficult to justify for many players.

Tier

Weapon

Type

Why

S

Dolabra

Energy Shotgun (Legendary)

Fires energy beams in either a wide cone or a focused medium-range blast. Capable of eliminating players in as few as two shots. It's one of the few Legendary weapons that consistently justifies its cost and is surprisingly affordable for its tier.

S

Vulcano

Semi-Auto Shotgun

Delivers some of the highest burst damage in the game. It excels at close-range engagements and can erase opponents in tight spaces. However, it struggles against heavily armored ARC targets and is ineffective at longer ranges.

B

Il Toro

Pump Shotgun

Effective for peek-and-shoot tactics in indoor environments. It struggles against ARC armor and was weakened by the 1.20 balance changes, but it remains a viable option for patient, methodical players.

Tier

Weapon

Type

Why

S

Longbow

Sniper Rifle

The top sniper rifle after Patch 1.26. Capable of one-shot headshots and excellent at controlling sightlines. In skilled hands, it can dominate entire engagements from range.

A

Osprey

Sniper Rifle

Features a built-in scope and delivers reliable, hard-hitting damage at 80+ meters. It heavily punishes careless peeks and poor positioning. While slightly outclassed by the Longbow, the gap is relatively small.

B

Kettle

Marksman Rifle

A budget-friendly, semi-automatic marksman rifle with a 20-round magazine. It's an excellent entry-level choice for players learning long-range combat. However, its 3.67-second reload can be a serious drawback during hectic fights.

Tier

Weapon

Type

Why

S

Hullcracker

Heavy AR

The premier choice for fighting the ARC Turbine boss. It shreds armor from heavily protected targets, particularly Bastions. Its poor accuracy makes it ineffective in PvP, so it's best used in coordinated PvE teams.

A

Equalizer

Energy Railgun

Deals energy damage that instantly exposes enemy weak points, making it an excellent support weapon. It pairs especially well with teammates using Hullcrackers. Its recharge-based magazine limits sustained damage output, reducing its effectiveness for solo play.

B

Jupiter

LMG

Features a large magazine and excels at clearing ARC enemies. It can be highly effective in ambush situations and prolonged PvE encounters. However, its heavy ammunition consumption can quickly become a resource burden.

D

ARC Missile Launcher

Launcher

Devastating against machines but offers little value in PvP. Its highly visible projectiles and significant inventory cost make it difficult to justify over more versatile alternatives.

Armor Type / Set

Protection Level & Stats

Best Used For / Notes

Light Armor

Minimal Protection

Maximum mobility. Best for loot runs when you plan to avoid fights entirely. The moment someone shoots at you, you're already regretting this choice.

Medium Armor

Balanced: Best Default

The actual answer for 90% of raids. Protection and mobility in reasonable balance. If you're unsure, wear this. Upgradeable at the Workshop Workbench.

Heavy Armor

Maximum Protection

Best for PvP and boss fights. Durability scales by rarity since patch 1.26 (Legendary takes ~85% less durability damage). Slow. Commit or don't bother.

Special Set

(Wasp Shell)

ARC-material crafted

From Flashpoint. New cosmetic set with actual stats. Not for budget runners.

Event Set

(Saltwalker Outfit)

Earned via Forgotten Relics event

(June 16 – July 27, 1.34). Full outfit plus Sextant charm. Free, if you're willing to extract relics like a responsible adult.

Patch 1.20 Addition

(Rawhide Outfit)

Added in 1.20

Craftable. Nothing exotic. Good for not looking like you spawned naked.

B

Blaze Trap

Useful for chokepoints. Works on ARC and players. Has a job. Does it.

B

Lure Trap

Redirects ARC patrols. Situationally excellent. Most players never bother.

C

Smoke Trap

Escape tool. Occasionally saves you. Not a combat win condition.

D

Gas Trap

Rare in raider containers. The game considers this item "extra loot." That should tell you everything.