100 Waves Later Weapon Tier List (March 2026) Complete Guide

If you’ve spent any time grinding in 100 Waves Later on Roblox, you know that not all weapons are created equal. Getting stuck with a low-tier gun in the Mystery Box can end a run faster than a horde of sprinters. In the current meta, shotguns are absolutely king – and I’m here to tell you exactly which ones you should be hunting for.

After analyzing over 25 weapons across hundreds of runs, testing upgrade paths, and consulting with top players in the community, I’ve created the most comprehensive 100 Waves Later weapon tier list you’ll find anywhere. Whether you’re a F2P player grinding for scraps or willing to invest some Robux, this guide will help you make the smartest choices for your playstyle.

Quick Reference: Weapon Tier Overview

Tier	Performance	Best For	Investment Priority
S-Tier	Meta-defining, carries to 100+ waves	Late-game survival, speed runs	MAX IMMEDIATELY
A-Tier	Excellent, competitive choices	Most playstyles, consistent performance	High priority
B-Tier	Good early/mid-game, situational late	Specific builds, budget options	Moderate investment
C-Tier	Viable with specific builds	Niche strategies, challenge runs	Low priority
D-Tier	Avoid unless for fun	Early waves only	Do not upgrade

S-Tier: The Meta Kings (God Tier)

These weapons redefine what’s possible in 100 Waves Later. If you pull any of these from the Mystery Box, lock them in immediately and pour your resources into upgrades. They offer the best scaling, crowd control, and boss damage in the current meta.

Plasma Shotgun (Best Overall Weapon)

Why it dominates: The Plasma Shotgun combines massive blast damage with an impressive spread and surprisingly good range. It’s the only weapon that can single-handedly carry you from Wave 1 to Wave 100+ with proper upgrades.

Pros:

• Insane burst damage that clears entire hordes
• Wide spread perfect for crowd control
• Excellent boss damage with proper positioning
• Scales incredibly well with upgrades
• Good ammo economy for its power level

Cons:

• Requires careful positioning for maximum effectiveness
• Can feel overkill on early waves
• Expensive upgrade path

Recommended Skills: Gun Damage, Reload Speed, Ammo Capacity, 2x Legendary Damage, Pierce

Pro Tip: Always try to position enemies in a line before firing – the pierce effect will multiply your damage output exponentially.

Auto Shotgun

Why it’s S-Tier: The most versatile and beginner-friendly weapon in the game. While it might not have the raw power of the Plasma Shotgun, its consistency and forgiving nature make it a top-tier choice for any playstyle.

Pros:

• Extremely accessible and easy to obtain
• Consistent DPS without punishment for missed shots
• Fits almost any class build
• Excellent ammo economy
• Great for both crowds and boss damage

Cons:

• Lower burst damage compared to Plasma Shotgun
• Requires more shots to clear dense hordes

Recommended Skills: Gun Damage, Reload Speed, Ammo Capacity, Pierce

Pro Tip: This is the best weapon for learning the game mechanics. Master the Auto Shotgun before moving to more specialized options.

Gatling Laser

Why it’s S-Tier: The undisputed king of machine guns and the best non-shotgun option in the game. When zombie density becomes overwhelming, the Gatling Laser shreds through everything with relentless firepower.

Pros:

• Unmatched crowd control capabilities
• Constant DPS with no downtime
• Excellent for keeping enemies pushed back
• Becomes absolutely broken with fire rate upgrades
• Great for players who prefer sustained damage

Cons:

• Lower single-target damage than shotguns
• Can struggle with heavily armored bosses
• Requires careful ammo management

Recommended Skills: Gun Damage, Reload Speed, Ammo Capacity, 2x Legendary Damage, Pierce

Pro Tip: Save your super skills for boss waves – the Gatling Laser combined with damage buffs can melt even the toughest bosses in seconds.

Incendiary Shotgun (Robux Exclusive)

Why it’s S-Tier: Technically deals damage on par with the Plasma Shotgun, but with the added benefit of fire damage over time (DOT). It’s the ultimate boss killer, but comes with a premium price tag.

Pros:

• Massive damage output equal to Plasma Shotgun
• Fire DOT melts boss health bars
• Excellent crowd control with spread
• Great pierce and positioning damage

Cons:

• Requires real money (Robux) to obtain
• Plasma Shotgun offers similar performance for free
• Fire DOT can be overkill on regular enemies

Recommended Skills: Gun Damage, Reload Speed, Ammo Capacity, 2x Legendary Damage, Pierce

Pro Tip: If you’re willing to spend Robux, this weapon combined with the Pyro class creates one of the most powerful builds in the game.

A-Tier: Top Contenders

These weapons are excellent choices that can easily carry you deep into the game. They usually have one minor flaw compared to S-Tier options or require specific playstyles to maximize their potential.

Greatsword (Best Melee Weapon)

Why it’s A-Tier: The best melee weapon in the game, period. With high damage, great reach, and the ability to hit multiple enemies at once (cleave), it’s essential for ammo conservation and melee-focused builds.

Pros:

• Highest DPS among melee weapons
• Excellent cleave damage hits multiple enemies
• Great for saving ammo on early waves
• Scales well with melee damage upgrades
• Perfect for Boxer or Warrior class builds

Cons:

• Requires getting dangerously close to enemies
• Slower attack speed than other melee options
• Can be overwhelmed by large hordes

Recommended Skills: Melee Damage, Swing Speed, Movement Speed, 2x Legendary Damage

Pro Tip: Always keep a high-tier melee weapon like the Greatsword in your secondary slot for waves 1-15 to conserve precious ammo.

Pump Shotgun

Why it’s A-Tier: Don’t underestimate this starter weapon. The Pump Shotgun scales incredibly well with upgrades and is completely free, making it the best F2P option in the shotgun category.

Pros:

• Available from the start (free)
• Scales amazingly well with upgrades
• Good spread and pierce potential
• Excellent ammo economy
• Reliable performance throughout the game

Cons:

• Slower fire rate than Auto Shotgun
• Requires more precise timing
• Lower base damage than S-Tier shotguns

Recommended Skills: Gun Damage, Reload Speed, Ammo Capacity, Pierce

Pro Tip: Invest heavily in this weapon early if you don’t get S-Tier shotguns – it can carry you surprisingly far with proper upgrades.

Sniper Rifle

Why it’s A-Tier: The master of single-target DPS. Its piercing capability allows you to line up perfect shots that can eliminate entire rows of zombies with a single bullet.

Pros:

• Incredible single-target damage
• Excellent pierce for lining up multi-kills
• Amazing for boss damage
• Great ammo efficiency per damage dealt
• Rewards skill and positioning

Cons:

• Requires excellent aim and positioning
• Slow fire rate makes it poor for crowd control
• Expensive upgrade path
• Punishes missed shots heavily

Recommended Skills: Pierce, Gun Damage, Ammo Capacity, Reload Speed

Pro Tip: Play this like a shotgun – position enemies in lines and aim for headshots to maximize pierce damage and ammo efficiency.

Plasma Sword

Why it’s A-Tier: The runner-up for melee supremacy. With enough upgrades, it can rival the Greatsword, but lacks the natural cleave that makes the Greatsword so dominant.

Pros:

• Fast attack speed
• Good damage output with upgrades
• Excellent as a backup weapon
• Works well in hybrid builds
• Better single-target focus than Greatsword

Cons:

• No natural cleave damage
• Outclassed by Greatsword for crowd control
• Requires more upgrades to reach peak performance

Recommended Skills: Melee Damage, Swing Speed, 2x Legendary Damage

Pro Tip: Use this as a secondary weapon for boss fights when you need faster single-target damage than the Greatsword provides.

Minigun

Why it’s A-Tier: The second-best machine gun after the Gatling Laser. It has a great fire rate and solid DPS, but simply gets outclassed by its laser counterpart in raw power.

Pros:

• Excellent fire rate and sustained DPS
• Good for crowd control
• Reliable performance
• Decent ammo capacity
• Works well with damage-over-time builds

Cons:

• No built-in pierce (requires skill investment)
• Outclassed by Gatling Laser in most situations
• Can struggle with armored enemies
• Heavy ammo consumption

Recommended Skills: Gun Damage, Reload Speed, Ammo Capacity, Movement Speed, Pierce, 2x Legendary Damage

Pro Tip: If you prefer the Minigun’s feel over the Gatling Laser, invest heavily in Pierce skills to make up for its lack of natural piercing.

B-Tier: Solid but Situational

These weapons are “good enough” for the mid-game but will struggle past Wave 40-50 unless heavily upgraded or paired with specific class builds and buffs.

Plasma Laser

Why it’s B-Tier: Recently buffed and now significantly more viable than before. It’s a solid mid-game option that can potentially carry you to late-game with the right build.

Pros:

• Recently buffed with higher damage
• Good for mid-game progression
• Decent crowd control potential
• Works well with energy-focused builds

Cons:

• Still can’t match shotgun power
• Falls off in late-game waves
• Requires specific build to shine
• Expensive upgrade path for its performance

Recommended Skills: Gun Damage, 2x Legendary Damage, Fire Rate, Pierce

Chainsaw

Why it’s B-Tier: Despite recent nerfs, this remains a viable melee option. Its 10 hits per second make it incredible for stunlocking single targets, though it’s riskier to use on large crowds now.

Pros:

• Insane hit rate (10 hits per second)
• Excellent for stunlocking enemies
• Great single-target DPS
• Perfect for Boxer class builds

Cons:

• Nerfed crowd control capabilities
• Risky to use on large hordes
• Requires getting very close to enemies
• Can be overwhelmed in late-game waves

Recommended Skills: Melee Damage, Movement Speed, Swing Speed

Katana

Why it’s B-Tier: Essentially a faster version of the Greatsword but with lower DPS. It’s great for early waves when you need speed over raw power.

Pros:

• Very fast attack speed
• Good for early-game grinding
• Decent damage output
• Fun to play with

Cons:

• Lower DPS ceiling than Greatsword
• Becomes obsolete quickly
• No cleave damage
• Outclassed by other melee options

Recommended Skills: Melee Damage, Swing Speed

Sledgehammer

Why it’s B-Tier: High damage and reach, but the painfully slow swing speed makes it risky. If you miss, you’re almost guaranteed to take damage.

Pros:

• High single-hit damage
• Good reach for melee weapon
• Can be powerful in pure melee builds
• Satisfying to use

Cons:

• Extremely slow swing speed
• Punishes missed attacks heavily
• Risky against fast enemies
• Outclassed by Greatsword in almost every way

Recommended Skills: Melee Damage, Swing Speed, Movement Speed, Critical Chance, Instant Kill Chance

Flamethrower

Why it’s B-Tier: An early-game monster that melts waves 1-20, but the damage falls off drastically in the late game. Do not invest heavily in this weapon.

Pros:

• Overpowered for early waves
• Great for crowd control
• Fun unique playstyle
• Can carry to Wave 80 with minimal investment

Cons:

• Falls off hard in late-game
• Almost useless against late-game bosses
• Risky range requirements
• Better weapons available for similar investment

Recommended Skills: Fire & Explosive, 2x Legendary Damage

Plasma Pistol

Why it’s B-Tier: The only pistol worth considering. It has decent DPS against bosses, but its lack of natural bullet penetration makes it terrible for crowd control.

Pros:

• Best pistol in the game
• Decent boss damage
• Good ammo economy
• Reliable accuracy

Cons:

• No natural pierce
• Struggles against crowds
• Outclassed by other weapon types
• Limited late-game potential

Recommended Skills: Gun Damage, Pierce, Explosive Bullets, Ammo Capacity, Reload Speed

C-Tier: Mediocre (Build Dependent)

These weapons generally lack raw power and require very specific class builds (like Sharpshooter or Demolitionist) to function decently. They’re not recommended for general play.

Knife

Why it’s C-Tier: Slightly better than the Baseball Bat because you run faster, but that’s about its only advantage. Not worth investing in when better melee options are available.

Pros:

• Faster movement speed
• Better damage than Baseball Bat
• Cheap to upgrade

Cons:

• Outclassed by all other melee weapons
• Low damage output
• No special abilities
• Becomes useless quickly

Recommended Skills: Melee Damage, Critical Chance

Auto & Semi-Auto Rifles

Why they’re C-Tier: These are free and okay for the first 10 waves, but their DPS is too low for bosses and they fall off hard in later waves.

Pros:

• Free starting weapons
• Decent for learning the game
• Good ammo economy
• Reliable early-game performance

Cons:

• Terrible late-game scaling
• Low boss damage
• Outclassed quickly
• Not worth upgrading past early waves

Recommended Skills: Gun Damage, Fire Rate, Pierce, Reload Speed, Ammo Capacity

Grenade Launcher

Why it’s C-Tier: Recently buffed but still tricky to use effectively. You need a dedicated Fire & Explosive build to make the splash damage worth the slow reload speed.

Pros:

• Good area damage potential
• Decent for crowd control
• Fun unique playstyle
• Can be powerful with right build

Cons:

• Requires specific build to be effective
• Slow reload speed
• Risky positioning required
• Better options available for crowd control

Recommended Skills: Reload Speed, Fire & Explosives, Ammo Capacity

Hand Cannon

Why it’s C-Tier: Can be powerful, but only if you’re running the Sharpshooter class. Even then, the upgrades are expensive compared to the value you get.

Pros:

• High single-shot damage potential
• Good with Sharpshooter class
• Decent ammo economy

Cons:

• Requires specific class to be effective
• Expensive upgrade path
• Outclassed by other weapons
• Limited versatility

Recommended Skills: Gun Damage, Pierce, Explosive Bullets, Ammo Capacity, Reload Speed

Uzi

Why it’s C-Tier: Good fire rate and ammo capacity, but it shoots marshmallows. The damage per bullet is just too low to be effective in later waves.

Pros:

• Excellent fire rate
• Good ammo capacity
• Has natural pierce
• Fun to use

Cons:

• Extremely low damage per bullet
• Struggles against armored enemies
• Poor ammo efficiency
• Outclassed by other automatic weapons

Recommended Skills: Gun Damage, Fire Rate, Pierce, Ammo Capacity

Baseball Bat

Why it’s C-Tier: Cheap and reliable for Wave 1, completely useless by Wave 5. Not worth any investment beyond the earliest waves.

Pros:

• Free starting weapon
• Cheap to upgrade
• Simple to use

Cons:

• Becomes useless very quickly
• Lowest damage among melee weapons
• No special abilities
• Better options available immediately

Recommended Skills: Melee Damage, Swing Speed

D-Tier: The “Mystery Box Traps”

Avoid these at all costs. These weapons have terrible scaling, bad ammo economy, or simply don’t deal enough damage to justify their use. Getting these from the Mystery Box can actively ruin your run.

MP5

Why it’s D-Tier: The ultimate “Run Killer.” It has a high drop chance from the Mystery Box but arguably the worst scaling in the game. It feels like a complete waste of scrap and upgrade points.

Pros:

• Good upgrade from starter weapons initially
• Decent fire rate

Cons:

• Terrible late-game scaling
• High drop chance ruins runs
• Poor damage output
• Not worth any significant investment

Recommended Skills: Gun Damage, Ammo Capacity, Pierce, Fire Rate

Plasma Rifle

Why it’s D-Tier: Consistent early on, but falls off a cliff in terms of damage later. The upgrade cost is never justified by the performance.

Pros:

• Decent early-game performance
• Consistent damage output

Cons:

• Terrible late-game scaling
• Expensive upgrade path
• Outclassed by almost everything
• Not worth the investment

Recommended Skills: Gun Damage, Pierce, Reload Speed, Ammo Capacity

Pistol & Deagle

Why they’re D-Tier: Low damage, zero penetration, small clips, and slow reloads. There is absolutely no reason to use these weapons beyond the first couple of waves.

Pros:

• Free starting weapons
• Simple to use

Cons:

• Lowest damage in the game
• No pierce capability
• Poor ammo economy
• Completely useless in late-game

Recommended Skills: Gun Damage, Pierce, Reload Speed, Ammo Capacity

Crowbar

Why it’s D-Tier: The worst weapon in the game, period. It becomes a paperweight after Wave 20 and can’t even justify its minimal upgrade cost.

Pros:

• Free starting weapon
• Slightly better than nothing

Cons:

• Worst damage output in the game
• Becomes useless by Wave 20
• No redeeming qualities
• Never worth upgrading

Recommended Skills: Melee Damage, Swing Speed, Movement Speed

Weapon Upgrade Priority Guide

To maximize your win rate in 100 Waves Later, follow this priority list when investing your hard-earned scrap:

Priority 1: S-Tier Shotguns

• Plasma Shotgun or Auto Shotgun
• Invest immediately when obtained
• Focus on damage, then pierce upgrades

Priority 2: Essential Melee

• Greatsword for ammo conservation
• Upgrade only after primary weapon is established

Priority 3: Boss Killers

• Sniper Rifle or Gatling Laser as backup
• Invest if you struggle with boss waves

Priority 4: Never Upgrade

• MP5, Flamethrower, any D-Tier weapons
• Save scrap for better options

Class Synergies and Best Builds

While this guide focuses on weapons, your class choice dramatically affects weapon performance:

Best Classes for Weapon Synergy:

• Engineer: Best for turret-based builds, works well with any weapon
• Pathfinder: Excellent for super skill builds, enhances any weapon choice
• Wastelander: Best for weapon variety with extra hotbar slots
• Boxer: Perfect for melee weapon builds with Greatsword

Weapon-Specific Class Recommendations:

• Shotguns: Any class works, but Soldier and Wastelander excel
• Melee: Boxer, Warrior, or Juggernaut for maximum effectiveness
• Sniper: Sharpshooter (though the class itself needs buffs)
• Automatic Weapons: Engineer or Soldier for sustained damage

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the absolute best weapon in 100 Waves Later?

A: Currently, the Plasma Shotgun is considered the best weapon due to its high burst damage, wide spread, and effectiveness against both crowds and bosses. The Auto Shotgun is a close second and more accessible for F2P players.

Q: Is the Incendiary Shotgun worth spending Robux on?

A: It’s a top-tier weapon, specifically for melting bosses with fire damage. However, the Plasma Shotgun is a free alternative that performs almost as well, so it’s not strictly necessary to pay to win. Only consider it if you main the Pyro class.

Q: Which melee weapon should I prioritize?

A: The Greatsword is widely regarded as the best melee weapon because of its high damage and ability to hit multiple enemies at once (cleave damage). Keep it as your secondary weapon for early waves to conserve ammo.

Q: Why is the MP5 ranked so low when it drops so frequently?

A: The MP5 is considered a “trap” weapon. It drops frequently from the Mystery Box but has very poor damage scaling as you upgrade it, making it ineffective in later waves. It’s one of the biggest run-killers in the game.

Q: How do I survive past Wave 50 consistently?

A: You need a weapon with “Bullet Penetration” or Area of Effect (AOE) damage. Single-target weapons (like pistols or standard rifles) cannot clear the zombie density fast enough in late waves. Prioritize shotguns or weapons with pierce upgrades.

Q: Should I invest in multiple weapons or focus on one?

A: Focus on one primary weapon (preferably S-Tier) and one secondary melee weapon. Spreading your scrap across multiple weapons will leave you with underpowered options that can’t handle later waves.

Q: What’s the best F2P weapon progression?

A: Start with Pump Shotgun → upgrade to Auto Shotgun → hope for Plasma Shotgun. Keep a Greatsword as backup. This F2P path can carry you to 100+ waves with skill and proper upgrades.

Q: How important are weapon skills vs. weapon choice?

A: Weapon choice is more important than skills, but the right skills can elevate a B-Tier weapon to A-Tier performance. Always prioritize damage and pierce skills, regardless of your weapon choice.

Conclusion

Mastering the 100 Waves Later weapon meta is essential for reaching the highest waves and surviving the zombie apocalypse. Remember these key takeaways:

1. Shotguns dominate the meta – prioritize them above all else
2. Plasma Shotgun is king – but Auto Shotgun is a close, more accessible alternative
3. Always keep a melee weapon for ammo conservation in early waves
4. Never upgrade D-Tier weapons – save your scrap for S-Tier options
5. Class choice matters – pick classes that complement your weapon strategy

The meta can shift with updates, but shotguns have reigned supreme for months and show no signs of being dethroned. Focus on mastering these top-tier weapons, and you’ll be clearing waves 1-100+ in no time.