Weapon Tier List (March 2026 Patch 1.21)

Updated weapon rankings after the Il Toro nerf and Tempest rework. S/A/B/C tiers for PvP and PvE.

Category: Tier List · Updated 2026-04-06

The March 2026 meta has shifted significantly. Patch 1.20.0 nerfed the Il Toro and patch 1.21 reworked the Tempest energy weapon. Here is where every weapon stands right now.

S Tier: The Best of the Best

Anvil (Assault Rifle): The current community consensus best weapon in Arc Raiders. Top tier DPS with manageable recoil and excellent range. The Anvil dominates both PvP and PvE encounters at mid range and performs surprisingly well up close. If you can craft it, there is no reason to run anything else as your primary.

Ferro (Assault Rifle): The budget king. Yes, a common weapon in S tier. The Ferro is here because of its unmatched accessibility and reliability. Every new player can grab one on their first raid, and it remains viable all the way through mid game. The value per material cost is unbeatable. You cannot go wrong with a Ferro in your hands.

Kettle (SMG): The best submachine gun in the current patch. Close range dominant with a punishing fire rate that melts armor. In Buried City corridors and building interiors, the Kettle wins fights before opponents can react. The skill ceiling is high but the reward is the fastest time to kill under 10 meters.

A Tier: Excellent Picks

Venator (Assault Rifle): Still the best time to kill at mid range for its crafting cost. The Venator has been a community favorite since launch and the recent patches have not changed that. Accessible at Gunsmith Level 2 and effective against both ARC machines and Raiders.

Tempest (Energy Weapon): Buffed significantly in patch 1.21. The rework gave it better sustained damage and a more intuitive charge mechanic. Energy weapons carve through ARC armor faster than ballistic weapons, making the Tempest the top choice for PvE focused players running Stella Montis.

Renegade (Assault Rifle): The versatile all rounder. Not the highest DPS and not the best range, but competitive everywhere. The Renegade excels when you do not know what encounters you will face. A safe pick for any map and any playstyle.

B Tier: Solid but Situational

Vulcano (Assault Rifle): Still a good weapon but the crafting cost is steep compared to the Anvil. The Vulcano requires ARC Alloy and rare materials that are better spent elsewhere now that the Anvil exists. Use it if you already have one crafted, but do not prioritize building new ones.

Stitcher (SMG): A decent budget SMG for players who cannot craft the Kettle yet. Fast fire rate and lightweight. The Stitcher gets the job done in close quarters but falls off hard at any distance beyond point blank.

Canto (SMG): Niche but viable for players who want tighter groupings than the Stitcher without the crafting investment of the Kettle. The Canto occupies a middle ground that some players swear by.

C Tier: Avoid or Replace

Il Toro: The mighty have fallen. Patch 1.20.0 nerfed the fire rate and reload speed, gutting the burst damage that made the Il Toro the undisputed close quarters king. It still hits hard on the first shot but the follow up is painfully slow. No longer worth the inventory slot when the Kettle exists.

Stitcher: Nerfed in a recent balance pass but still functional for absolute beginners who have no other options. If you are running a Stitcher past your first 5 raids, you need to upgrade.

Budget Recommendation for New Players

If you cannot craft higher tier weapons yet, run a Ferro as your primary and keep a Stitcher as a backup for close encounters. This loadout costs almost nothing to replace and teaches you the fundamentals of both mid range and close range combat. Once your Gunsmith hits Level 2, transition to the Venator immediately. Check arcraidersai.com/items for full stats on every weapon.