5 Best PvE Weapons in Arc Raiders (March 2026) Complete Guide
When you’re exploring the dangerous world of Arc Raiders, having the right weapons can mean the difference between returning to Speranza with valuable loot or losing everything to the mechanical ARC menace. After extensive research and hands-on testing, I’ve identified the absolute best weapons for PvE combat that will help you dominate any ARC encounter you face.
Whether you’re facing swarms of Hornets, tackling massive boss ARCs like the Queen or Matriarch, or just trying to farm efficiently, these weapons will give you the competitive edge you need. Let me break down exactly which guns you should be crafting, upgrading, and bringing into your raids.
Quick Reference: Top 5 PvE Weapons Overview
| Weapon | Type | Best For | Accessibility | Damage Output |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hullcracker | Grenade Launcher | Boss farming, AoE clearing | Medium (quest reward/vendor) | ★★★★★ |
| Jupiter | Sniper Rifle | Long-range boss killing | Hard (legendary blueprint) | ★★★★★ |
| Anvil | Heavy Revolver | All-purpose ARC hunting | Easy (green weapon) | ★★★★☆ |
| Equalizer | Energy Rifle | Armor stripping (huge ARCs) | Hard (legendary) | ★★★★☆ |
| Aphelion | Battle Rifle | Medium boss elimination | Medium (Matriarch Reactor) | ★★★★☆ |
The 5 Best PvE Weapons in Arc Raiders
1. Hullcracker – The King of PvE
Why it’s S-Tier: The Hullcracker stands uncontested as the best PvE weapon in Arc Raiders. This grenade launcher was specifically designed to decimate ARC enemies of all sizes, from the smallest Wasps to the massive Queen and Matriarch bosses.
Key Strengths:
- Highest pure DPS in the game against ARC enemies
- Excellent armor penetration that melts through even the toughest defenses
- Large blast radius perfect for clearing groups of smaller ARCs
- Guaranteed blueprint from specific quests or available from vendors
Best Usage Scenarios:
- Boss farming expeditions
- Clearing tight spaces infested with Hornets and Wasps
- Taking down heavily armored ARCs like Bastions and Leapers
Pro Tips: The grenades fly relatively slowly, so you’ll need to lead your targets and account for bullet drop. Practice makes perfect with this weapon, but once mastered, you’ll be clearing raids like never before.
2. Jupiter – The Long-Range Annihilator
Why it’s S-Tier: Jupiter is a legendary sniper rifle that functions like a railgun, charging before each devastating shot. It excels at picking off ARCs from safe distances where other weapons struggle.
Key Strengths:
- Incredible range with no bullet drop to calculate
- 55 base damage with top-tier weak-spot scaling
- Very strong ARC armor penetration
- Perfect for hitting specific weak points on massive bosses
Best Usage Scenarios:
- Fighting the Matriarch (can reliably hit head/face weak spots)
- Long-range engagements in open maps like Spaceport
- Supporting teammates from elevated positions
Pro Tips: This weapon requires the Queen Reactor to craft, making it quite expensive. However, losing this gun during a raid can be devastating, so always bring a backup weapon for close encounters.
3. Anvil – The Reliable Workhorse
Why it’s S-Tier: Anvil is my personal go-to choice for daily ARC hunting. This heavy ammo revolver combines precision, power, and accessibility in one package that excels against most ARC types.
Key Strengths:
- 40 damage per shot with strong armor penetration
- Excellent accuracy and range for a revolver
- Tears off weak parts with incredible efficiency
- Great for both PvE and emergency PvP situations
- Easily accessible and relatively cheap to upgrade
Best Usage Scenarios:
- Daily farming runs
- Fighting medium-sized ARCs like Hornets, Wasps, and Fireballs
- Taking down boss ARCs like Leapers and Rocketeers
- Solo raids where you need versatility
Pro Tips: Upgrade Anvil to level 4 to really unlock its potential. One shot can destroy light shields, making it surprisingly effective against other players if you get caught in PvP situations.
4. Equalizer – The Armor Stripper
Why it’s S-Tier: While many players underestimate the Equalizer, this energy rifle is secretly one of the most powerful weapons for specific situations. It fires a continuous beam that excels at one crucial task: stripping armor from massive ARC bosses.
Key Strengths:
- Can strip armor from Queen/Matriarch in one magazine
- Reveals hidden weak spots that other weapons can’t access
- Very strong ARC armor penetration
- Essential for coordinated squad boss fights
Best Usage Scenarios:
- Queen and Matriarch boss fights
- Coordinated squad operations
- Situations where you need to expose weak points quickly
Pro Tips: The Equalizer is terrible against smaller ARCs and wastes ammo quickly. This is a specialized weapon that shines in specific scenarios, particularly when fighting the game’s biggest bosses. Always bring a secondary weapon for handling smaller threats.
5. Aphelion – The Versatile Powerhouse
Why it’s S-Tier: As one of the newest additions to Arc Raiders, Aphelion has quickly proven its worth in both PvE and PvP scenarios. This unique 2-round burst rifle offers a perfect balance of power and versatility.
Key Strengths:
- Fast firing rate with devastating burst damage
- Strong performance against medium boss ARCs
- Good for both PvE and PvP situations
- Relatively accessible (crafted from Matriarch Reactor)
- Easy to handle compared to other legendary weapons
Best Usage Scenarios:
- Medium boss elimination
- Hybrid PvE/PvP raids
- Players who want one weapon for multiple situations
- When you need reliable performance without extreme specialization
Pro Tips: The 2-round burst has a learning curve for recoil control. Practice landing both rounds consistently to maximize this weapon’s potential. It’s particularly effective against boss ARCs that aren’t as massive as the Queen or Matriarch.
Honorable Mentions: A-Tier Contenders
While the top 5 weapons above are truly S-Tier for PvE, these A-Tier weapons are still excellent choices:
Ferro – The Budget Champion
- Best for: New players or budget runs
- Strengths: Free to obtain, appears in Free Loadouts, decent damage
- Limitations: Single-shot, slow against swarms
Tempest – The Assault Rifle Specialist
- Best for: All-purpose raiding
- Strengths: Second-best assault rifle for PvE, good fire rate, solid damage
- Limitations: Struggles at range, limited heavy armor penetration
Venator – The Flexible Fighter
- Best for: Mixed PvE/PvP situations
- Strengths: Great fire rate, damage, and accuracy at medium range
- Limitations: Not ideal for taking down tougher ARCs
Weapon Tier Comparison: Expert Analysis
After analyzing multiple expert sources and community feedback, here’s how the weapons stack up:
| Source | S-Tier Weapons | Key Differences |
|---|---|---|
| SkyCoach | Hullcracker, Jupiter, Equalizer, Anvil, Aphelion | Emphasizes boss-killing specialization |
| TheGamer | Hullcracker, Anvil, Ferro, Jupiter, Renegade, Bettina | Prioritizes accessibility and versatility |
| Odealo | Jupiter, Anvil, Hullcracker (with detailed criteria) | Focuses on sustained damage and stagger |
This variation shows that different playstyles and situations call for different weapons. The “best” weapon often depends on your specific goals for each raid.
Advanced PvE Weapon Strategies
Loadout Combinations for Maximum Efficiency
Boss Hunting Loadout:
- Primary: Hullcracker or Jupiter
- Secondary: Anvil or Aphelion
- Strategy: Use primary for boss damage, secondary for smaller ARCs
Farming Loadout:
- Primary: Anvil
- Secondary: Ferro (free option)
- Strategy: Cost-effective clearing of standard ARC enemies
Solo Raid Loadout:
- Primary: Aphelion
- Secondary: Equalizer (for unexpected boss encounters)
- Strategy: Versatility for unknown situations
Weapon Upgrade Priorities
- Anvil to Level 4 – Massive performance boost for relatively low cost
- Hullcracker attachments – Improves already impressive DPS
- Jupiter stability mods – Makes long-range shots more consistent
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using PvP weapons for PvE – Many popular PvP guns like SMGs are weak against ARCs
- Ignoring armor penetration – Damage numbers don’t tell the whole story
- Bringing only one weapon type – Versatility is key in Arc Raiders
- Underestimating budget options – Weapons like Ferro can be surprisingly effective
Platform-Specific Considerations
PC Optimization
- Take advantage of precise aiming for weak spots
- Use keybinds for quick weapon switching
- Optimize graphics settings for better visibility at range
Console Considerations
- Focus on weapons with more forgiving aim (Anvil, Hullcracker)
- Use aim assist features effectively
- Consider controller-friendly fire rates
FAQ
Q: What’s the absolute best weapon for new players?
A: Start with the Ferro since it’s free and appears in Free Loadouts. As you progress, craft an Anvil as your first major upgrade – it’s the most versatile and cost-effective weapon.
Q: Should I focus on one weapon or build multiple?
A: Build at least two complementary weapons. A good combination is one boss-killer (Hullcracker/Jupiter) and one all-purpose weapon (Anvil/Aphelion).
Q: Are legendary weapons always better than rare ones?
A: Not necessarily. While legendary weapons like Jupiter and Equalizer excel in specific situations, a well-upgraded Anvil (green rarity) often outperforms them in general PvE scenarios.
Q: How do I get weapon blueprints?
A: Blueprints drop from various sources: quest rewards, vendor purchases, and enemy drops. Legendary blueprints typically require boss materials like Queen or Matriarch Reactors.
Q: What’s the most cost-effective weapon setup?
A: Ferro (free) + Anvil (cheap to craft and upgrade) provides excellent performance for minimal investment, perfect for building your wealth.
Q: How important is weapon attachment vs. base weapon?
A: Base weapon choice matters more than attachments, but the right attachments can significantly improve performance. Prioritize upgrading your weapon to level 4 before investing heavily in attachments.
Conclusion
Mastering Arc Raiders PvE combat comes down to having the right tools for the job. While the Hullcracker reigns supreme as the ultimate PvE weapon, each of the top 5 weapons I’ve covered excels in specific situations that make them invaluable additions to your arsenal.
Remember that the meta can shift with updates, so always be prepared to adapt your loadouts. The key is understanding what each weapon does best and building complementary loadouts for different raid objectives.