How to Upgrade Guns in 100 Waves Later (March 2026) Expert Guide

If you’ve been trying to survive the relentless onslaught in 100 Waves Later, you know exactly how it feels to hit a wall. You’re sailing through Wave 20, feeling unstoppable, and then Wave 30 hits, and your pea-shooter just isn’t cutting it anymore. I’ve been there, staring at the “Game Over” screen, realizing my weapons were sorely underpowered. That’s why mastering the upgrade system isn’t just a luxury—it’s an absolute necessity for survival.

In this comprehensive guide, I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know about upgrading your arsenal. We won’t just cover the “how-to”; we’re diving deep into strategies, resource management, and the meta guns you should be prioritizing in March 2026. Whether you’re a newbie just loading in or a veteran looking to optimize your late-game build, this is the only resource you need.

Quick Overview: Weapon Upgrades at a Glance

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty details, here is a quick reference table to get you up to speed on the upgrade mechanics.

Feature	Description	Pro Tip
Primary Currency	Gold/Earned from waves and kills.	Always save a buffer of 500 Gold for emergency upgrades.
Upgrade Location	The Armory / Upgrade Station (Base Center).	The station moves in Hardcore mode; check your map!
Max Level	Level 10 (Standard), Level 15 (Prestige).	Level 5 is the biggest damage spike; aim for this first.
Secondary Stat	Fire Rate & Reload Speed.	Don’t neglect Reload Speed for high-capacity weapons.
Stat Reset	Available for a cost at the Merchant.	Only reset if you completely messed up a build.

Understanding the Weapon Upgrade System

To dominate the leaderboards, you first need to understand how the game calculates your power. In 100 Waves Later, upgrading isn’t just about increasing a single damage number. It’s about scaling your efficiency relative to the increasing health pools of enemy mobs.

Based on the latest data from top-ranking guides and community discussions, the upgrade system operates on a tiered scaling cost. This means the cost to upgrade a weapon from Level 1 to Level 2 is cheap, but jumping from Level 9 to Level 10 will cost a fortune.

Why Upgrades Matter More Than New Guns?

A common mistake I see players making (and I was guilty of this too) is hoarding cash to buy a shiny new gun from the shop while ignoring their current weapon. Here’s the hard truth: A fully upgraded Level 5 Starter Rifle often outperforms an unoptimized Level 1 Legendary weapon you just bought. The base damage stats scale exponentially with upgrades, and the added benefits like reduced recoil and faster reloads make a massive difference in sustained DPS (Damage Per Second).

For those looking to optimize their PC performance to ensure they get the best framerate during these heavy waves, check out our guide on how to optimize Windows 11 for gaming. Nothing is worse than lagging during an upgrade transaction!

How to Upgrade Your Guns: Step-by-Step Process

Okay, let’s get to the meat of the article. Here is the exact process you need to follow to upgrade your weapons, verified and tested.

1. Locate the Armory Station

First things first, you can’t upgrade weapons just by standing in the middle of the map. You need to find the Armory Station.

• Standard Mode: It is located directly in the center of your spawn base. Look for the icon that looks like a crossed hammer and wrench on your minimap.
• Hardcore/Nightmare Mode: The base layout changes. The station is usually near the ammunition crate, but keep an eye on your mini-map. If you are unsure, follow the blue path markers on the floor.

2. Interacting with the Interface

Walk up to the station and press the interaction key (usually E on PC or the Y button on controllers).
A menu will pop up displaying your current inventory. You will see a list of your weapons—Pistol, SMG, Shotgun, AR, and Sniper—along with their current stats and levels.

3. Selecting Your Weapon

Click on the weapon you want to improve.

• Visual Check: You will see a preview of the weapon’s new stats in green text versus the old stats in red text. This helps you visualize exactly what you are paying for.
• Cost Display: The top right corner will show the upgrade cost in Gold.

4. Confirming the Upgrade

Once you are happy with the cost and the potential stat boost, hit the “Upgrade” button.

• Animation: There is a short animation (about 1.5 seconds) where your character tinkers with the gun.
• Sound Cue: Listen for the mechanical “click” sound; that confirms the upgrade was successful.

5. Managing Resources

After upgrading, check your remaining Gold.

• Rule of Thumb: Never spend your last Gold coin on an upgrade. Always keep at least 10% of your total wealth as a reserve for healing items or ammo refills. If you find yourself constantly running out of gold, you might need to review the best ways to farm Robux in-game or simply focus on your wave clearing efficiency.

Which Weapons Should You Upgrade First? (Tier List)

Not all guns are created equal. Upgrading the wrong weapon can leave you helpless against specific enemy types (like the fast-running Sprinters or the armored Tanks). Based on the current meta in March 2026, here is my personal ranking on which weapons deserve your hard-earned Gold.

S-Tier: The Essentials

These weapons are the backbone of any successful run. Upgrade these first.

1. The Heavy AR (Assault Rifle):
   • Why: It’s the perfect balance of damage, fire rate, and magazine size.
   • Upgrade Focus: Prioritize Damage up to Level 5, then switch to Fire Rate.
   • Usage: Great for general waves and mid-range combat.
2. The Shotgun:
   • Why: Crucial for crowd control. Later waves swarm you, and this gun clears groups instantly.
   • Upgrade Focus: Spread and Damage. You want it to hit as many enemies as possible per shot.
   • Usage: Point-blank defense against hordes.

A-Tier: Situationally Powerful

Upgrade these after your S-Tier weapons are maxed out.

1. Sniper Rifle:
   • Why: Essential for killing “Boss” enemies that appear every 10 waves.
   • Upgrade Focus: Damage is king here. Fire rate doesn’t matter as much if you can one-shot a Tank.
   • Usage: Long-range eliminations.
2. SMG:
   • Why: High mobility. Great for kiting enemies around the map.
   • Upgrade Focus: Magazine Size and Reload Speed. You want to suppress enemies without reloading.

C-Tier: Skip Until Late Game

Don’t waste your Gold here in the first 30 waves.

1. Pistol: It’s a fallback weapon. Only upgrade it if you have maxed out everything else and have money to burn.
2. Minigun: While fun, it’s often too heavy and slows your character down, making you an easy target. Only upgrade this if you are playing a stationary “Turret” style build.

Advanced Upgrade Strategies for 2026

If you want to be the MVP of your squad, you need to think beyond just clicking “Upgrade.” Here are some advanced strategies I’ve picked up from high-level players and Discord community discussions.

The “Burst Damage” Strategy

Instead of spreading your Gold evenly across all guns, funnel everything into one weapon (usually the AR or Sniper) until it hits Level 7.

• The Logic: Having one weapon that can delete enemies instantly is better than having five mediocre weapons that just scratch them.
• The Risk: You run out of ammo faster. Make sure you are buying ammo boxes or using these tips to fix lag so your shots register correctly.

Synergizing with Teammates

If you are playing multiplayer, coordinate your upgrades.

• Player A: Upgrades Shotgun for close-range defense.
• Player B: Upgrades Sniper for boss killing.
• Player C: Upgrades AR for covering fire.
  This ensures your team covers all ranges without wasting resources on overlapping roles. Communication is key, so ensure your Roblox voice chat is working.

The Reset Mechanic

Did you know you can sell your upgraded guns? If you pick up a Legendary weapon drop from a boss, you might feel “trapped” because you spent all your money on your old gun. The Armory allows you to Scrap weapons. You get about 50% of your upgrade Gold back. It’s not a full refund, but it’s better than nothing. Use this to pivot your strategy when you find better loot.

Common Mistakes to Avoid In 2026

Learning from your own mistakes is painful; learning from mine is free. Here are the biggest pitfalls I see players make when upgrading weapons in 100 Waves Later.

1. Ignoring Reload Speed

I know, Damage is sexy. Big numbers are fun. But in Wave 40+, when you are surrounded by zombies, a 2-second reload time feels like an eternity. Upgrading Reload Speed on your main gun often saves your life more than a slight bump in Damage.

2. Upgrading the “Special” Slot Too Early

Some weapons have a “Special” slot (e.g., Incendiary Rounds or Explosive Tips). These are expensive to unlock and upgrade. Don’t touch these until Wave 20+. You need the raw stats of the gun first before you add flashy effects. If you are experiencing technical issues with these special effects, check if Roblox is down.

3. Forgetting to Repair

This isn’t strictly an “upgrade,” but it falls under the same menu. Your guns degrade as you use them. If the Durability hits 0, the gun does 50% less damage. Always check your durability when you visit the Armory. It’s cheap to fix, and ignoring it ruins your DPS.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get more Gold to upgrade weapons?

The best way is to aim for “Headshots” and “Multi-kills.” The game gives bonus Gold for skill-based eliminations. Also, don’t ignore the side objectives; unlocking the “Supply Cache” in Wave 15 gives a massive Gold bonus.

Can I upgrade weapons in the middle of a wave?

No, you must be in the “Safe Zone” or “Base Area” to access the Armory menu. Once you leave the base for the next wave, the menu locks until the wave is cleared or you return (if the game mode allows retreat).

What happens if I prestige my weapon?

Prestiging resets the weapon level back to 1 but adds a “Star” or permanent stat buff. It is a late-game mechanic for 2026 players. Only do this if you are confident in your ability to survive with a weak gun temporarily.

Is it better to upgrade Health or Guns?

Always upgrade Guns first. If enemies die before they reach you, you don’t need Health. A strong offense is the best defense in 100 Waves Later.

Why is my upgraded weapon still weak?

Check your enemy type. Some enemies have armor (resistance to bullets) or shields (resistance to explosives). You need to upgrade the right gun. A maxed-out shotgun won’t help against a flying enemy that you can’t reach.

Conclusion

Mastering the upgrade system in 100 Waves Later is what separates the casuals from the pros. It’s about resource management, knowing your meta, and adapting to the waves. Don’t just spam the upgrade button; plan your build, communicate with your team, and always keep an eye on your Gold reserves.

The game evolves constantly, with new weapons and balance patches arriving in 2026. Make sure you bookmark this page or check back frequently, as I update these strategies whenever a new patch drops. Now get out there, max out that Assault Rifle, and show those waves who’s boss.