Anvil vs Venator in Arc Raiders
The Anvil and Venator are two handguns that hit their targets in very different ways. The Anvil hits far harder per shot; the Venator carries more rounds. This comparison reveals which suits how you fight.
Published 28 March 2026. Updated 20 October 2026.
Anvil I vs Venator I: base stats side by side
Base tier stats for Anvil I and Venator I, only where a source confirms the value for both. Upgraded tiers differ.
| Stat | Anvil I | Venator I |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon class | Hand Cannon | Pistol |
| Ammo type | Heavy Ammo | Medium Ammo |
| Damage | 40 | 16 |
| Magazine size | 6 | 10 |
| Effective range | 50.2 m | 48.4 m |
| Stability | 75.2 | 61.3 |
| Headshot multiplier | 2.5x | 2x |
| ARC armor penetration | Strong | Moderate |
| Firing mode | Single-Action | Semi-Automatic |
| Noise level | Loud | Normal |
What each costs to craft
Anvil I
Gunsmith level 2.
- 2 x Advanced Mechanical Components
- 3 x Heavy Gun Parts
- 3 x Hand Drill
Venator I
Gunsmith level 2, 30 seconds.
- 2 x Advanced Mechanical Components
- 3 x Medium Gun Parts
- 5 x Magnet
Raw Damage
The Anvil hits more than twice as hard per shot and multiplies headshots harder. The Venator answers with a larger magazine and semi-automatic fire against the Anvil's single action. The Anvil wins on damage per hit; the Venator lets you keep shooting.
Accuracy at Range
Their sourced effective ranges are close, with the Anvil reaching marginally further. The Anvil also has the higher sourced stability, so it is the steadier of the two between shots.
Recoil Control
The Anvil is the more stable of the two by its sourced rating. The Venator's semi-automatic action invites fast follow up shots, which makes its lower stability matter more in a sustained exchange.
PvP Dominance
In PvP, the Anvil's per shot damage means fewer hits to win a duel, so landing the first shot matters most. The Venator needs more hits but can deliver them without reloading as often. Accurate players favor the Anvil. Players who want more chances favor the Venator.
PvE Utility
For PvE, the Anvil's Strong ARC armor penetration, against the Venator's Moderate, makes it the better choice against armored ARC. The Venator's larger magazine suits clearing groups of weaker enemies.
Verdict
The Anvil is the power pick: harder hits, steadier handling and better penetration against armored ARC. Both are crafted at Gunsmith level 2. The Venator is the volume pick: a bigger magazine and semi-automatic fire. Both are worthy of your loadout slot.