Arc Raiders offer a wide range of creative ways to fight both Arc and other Raiders. That naturally raises the question: what is the best gun? The answer depends entirely on what you’re trying to achieve in each situation. In most raids, it is ideal to carry two weapons. This is not the most budget-friendly approach, but if your goal is to maximize your chances of survival, it is practically required.

In this article, I will outline the best weapon suggestions that I consider reliable, effective, and commonly available for both PvP encounters and Arc hunting. Ultra-rare weapons will be excluded so the focus stays on loadouts you can realistically use in the majority of your raids.

PvP — Close Range Weapons

Stitcher

Arc Raiders Wiki

Weapon Stats

The Stitcher is an unsuspecting menace. As a common weapon it is insanely easy to upgrade, repair, and outfit with attachments. A fully upgraded Stitcher compares to some of the best weapons in the game at close range. It’s unlikely you can take down an entire team in one mag but certainly one or two raiders is doable.

Venator

Arc Raiders Wiki

Weapon Stats

I don’t know what else to do but call the Venator the king of PvP. Something about this weapon just feels overpowered. I have on many occasions taken down three raiders in a single mag (upgraded, of course). The Venator is in my opinion the best weapon in the game for consistent PvP supremacy. It is rare that you find yourself in a close-medium range situation where the Venator isn’t the best or second-best choice to get the job done.

Torrente

Arc Raiders Wiki

Weapon Stats

The Torrente excels at chaotic fights. If smoke grenades and explosions are amassed the only weapon in the game with the sheer mag size to spray and pray is the Torrente. While difficult to control the spray pattern it can take down multiple teams in the right position.

PvP — Medium to Long Range Weapons

Renegade

Arc Raiders Wiki

Weapon Stats

The Renegade is my favorite all-rounder. Decent damage, decent range, and with enough upgrades the fire-rate to take down an entire team. A level 4 Renegade is one of the strongest PvP weapons in the game. Its ability to play corners and utilize the third person camera in quick succession is damning for many teams. If you need proof? Check out Shroud’s “cheating” clip.

Shroud Renegade Masterclass

Osprey (Limited Use Case)

Osprey

Arc Raiders Wiki

Weapon Stats

The Osprey is a fantastic weapon in the right situation. Shooting across the map at unsuspecting players I find it one of the most rewarding weapons in the game. However, that’s where the value ends. The weapon is plagued by two issues. First, it is very expensive to run with a ridiculous durability burn that makes me often wonder if it's bugged. The second issue which in my opinion is far worse is that the weapon scope’s in. This is great for those really long-ranged snipe attempts. But other than that niche scenario, you are at a disadvantage in any aim battle as you lose your third-person point of view for a significant duration.

‘Clanker’ Killers

Anvil

Arc Raiders Wiki

Weapon Stats

There is so much to love about the Anvil. It’s effective at PvE, PvP and cheap. If this weapon is something you grow to love there is no reason you can’t run it every single raid. Anvil is my recommendation when your stash and levels aren’t particularly established. Even at level 1 the Anvil can handle most tasks. I also think that the Anvil is the premier choice if you are committed to only run a single weapon loadout.

Hullcracker

Arc Raiders Wiki

Weapon Stats

The Hullcracker is the only Epic tier weapon included in this article because you can buy it from traders. The grenade launcher is only effective against Arc and cannot be used for PvP. It is however, as far as weapons are concerned, one of, if not the, best tool for farming Arc.

Best Pairings

Before we wrap up I’d like to add in the best pairings for raids.

For PvP

Expensive Option: Renegade/Osprey + Venator/Torrente
Cheap Option: Stitcher + Anvil

For Farming

Expensive Option: Hullcracker + Anvil/Renegade
Cheap Option: Anvil

Conclusion

Arc Raiders is all about choices, and that extends to your weapon loadouts. There isn’t a single “best gun”—it all comes down to what you’re trying to accomplish and how you like to play. Running two weapons is almost always the way to go. It might not be cheap, but if you want to stack the odds in your favor, it’s practically required.

The weapons I’ve covered in this article are some of the most reliable, usable, and consistently available options you can run in most raids. From close-range chaos with the Stitcher, to PvP domination with the Venator, to farming Arc safely with the Hullcracker, these choices give you a solid foundation without relying on ultra-rare gear.

At the end of the day, success comes down to knowing your weapons, pairing them effectively, and understanding how they fit your playstyle. Use these suggestions as a baseline, experiment with upgrades and combos, and you’ll find loadouts that keep you alive and make each raid feel a little more manageable.

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