Ferro vs Stitcher

Comparing the Ferro battle rifle with the Stitcher SMG for different playstyles.

Category: Comparison · Updated 2026-04-05

The Ferro and Stitcher are the two most common weapons new Raiders will find on Dam Battlegrounds. Both are common rarity and cheap to craft. Here is which one to bring on your budget runs.

At a Glance

Ferro: Common assault rifle. 2.5kg weight. Found everywhere. Vendor sell price 1,250. Reliable at all ranges.

Stitcher: Common submachine gun. 1.8kg weight. Found on Dam Battlegrounds, Buried City, Spaceport, and Blue Gate. Vendor sell price 1,100. Blistering fire rate, close range only.

Damage Profile

The Ferro deals more damage per shot and is effective at short, medium, and long range. It is a true all-purpose weapon that handles every situation adequately, if not excellently.

The Stitcher has a higher fire rate but significantly lower damage per bullet. Its effective range drops off sharply past 15 meters. Beyond that distance, you are wasting ammunition and doing minimal damage.

Versatility

The Ferro wins by a wide margin. Arc Raiders maps feature open areas, corridors, and verticality. The Ferro handles all of these scenarios. The Stitcher is only effective inside buildings and tight corridors.

On Dam Battlegrounds (the map where you will use budget weapons most), the open dam surface and construction yard heavily favor the Ferro's range advantage. The only area where the Stitcher shines is inside the dam's interior corridors.

Weight Advantage

The Stitcher is 0.7kg lighter than the Ferro. On a budget run where every kilogram matters, this frees up space for an extra material stack. If your goal is pure material farming with no intention of fighting, the lighter Stitcher lets you carry more loot.

Recycling Value

Both should be recycled when found in-raid rather than extracted. The Ferro returns Metal Parts and Plastic Parts. The Stitcher returns Metal Parts and Springs. Springs are slightly harder to come by, so the Stitcher's recycling output is marginally more valuable.

The Verdict

Bring the Ferro for budget loadouts. Its versatility across all engagement ranges makes it the safer choice for new players. The Stitcher only makes sense if you are exclusively looting building interiors and want the weight savings.

Neither weapon should be used long-term. Your goal is to upgrade to a Venator (uncommon) as soon as your Gunsmith reaches Lv.2. Both the Ferro and Stitcher are stepping stones, not destinations.

Budget Loadout Recommendation

Ferro + Basic Vest + Basic Helmet + Bandage x3 = The cheapest viable loadout for Dam Battlegrounds. Total weight is low, total loss on death is minimal, and the Ferro can handle any encounter on the map. Save your good gear for higher-tier maps.