How to Upgrade Weapons in 100 Waves Later (March 2026) Full Guide

Updated by Sunny Kaushik
January 22, 2026
Gaming

Surviving 100 waves of relentless enemies in Roblox is no small feat. I’ve spent countless hours defending the base, and one thing I’ve learned is that shooting isn’t enough—you need power. If you are struggling around Wave 30 or getting wiped out by the boss at Wave 50, your weapon setup is likely the issue. In this guide, I’m going to break down exactly how to upgrade weapons and guns in 100 Waves Later so you can turn your starter pistol into a beast-mode cannon that decimates hoards.

Upgrading in this game isn’t just about spending cash; it’s about strategy. You need to know what to upgrade, when to do it, and where to spend your limited resources. Based on the latest mechanics in 2026, I’ve compiled the most effective methods to maximize your damage output.

Quick Overview: The Upgrade Basics

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty strategies, here is a quick reference table for the upgrade mechanics in the game.

Upgrade Component	Function	Cost Resource	Priority Level
Damage	Increases base hit damage.	Cash/Coins	High (Essential for DPS)
Fire Rate	Increases attack speed.	Cash/Coins	Medium (Good for auto-weapons)
Range	Increases bullet travel/distance.	Cash/Coins	Low (Only for specific scenarios)
Ammo/Clip	Increases magazine size.	Cash/Coins	Medium (Reduces downtime)
Weapon Tier	Unlocks new gun types entirely.	Tokens/Crystals	Critical (Late game)

Understanding the Upgrade System

When you first drop into the game, the upgrade system can seem a bit overwhelming. You have cash flying at you from every direction, and there are multiple menus to navigate. From my experience playing through the latest updates, the game relies on a “Stat-based” upgrade system alongside a “Tier” evolution system.

Most guides, including the recent breakdown on Roonby, emphasize that you shouldn’t just spam the “Upgrade All” button if one exists (which it usually doesn’t in this specific genre). You have to manually allocate points.

The Core Mechanics:

Currency (Cash): You earn this by killing enemies. It is the lifeblood of your early game.
Premium Currency (Tokens/Gems): Usually obtained by beating bosses or daily logins. These are for the big jumps in power.
The Forge/Upgrade Station: This is the physical location in the game map where you interact to upgrade.

Where to Find the Upgrade Station?

One of the most common questions I see in the chat is: “Where do I upgrade?” In the current map rotation for 100 Waves Later, the Upgrade Station is typically located centrally, often near the “Spawn” area or the armory.

Look for the Anvil or Gear Icon: On your mini-map, look for a distinct icon. It usually looks like a hammer or a gear.
Interaction: Walk up to the station and press E (or the interact button on mobile/console).
The Menu: Once interacted, your inventory will pop up. Click on the weapon you want to modify.

Step-by-Step Guide to Upgrading Weapons

Let’s get into the actual process. This is the exact method I use to ensure my guns are ready for the later waves.

Step 1: Prioritize Your Main Weapon

Don’t spread your cash thin across five different guns. It is always better to have one God-tier weapon and five mediocre ones than six average ones. Pick your favorite gun—usually an Assault Rifle (AR) or a Rapid-fire SMG—and stick with it for the first 30 waves.

Step 2: Balancing Damage and Fire Rate

When you open the upgrade menu, you will see different stats.

Damage vs. Fire Rate: If you have a slow-firing shotgun, pour everything into Damage. If you have a fast-firing minigun, balance it between Damage and Fire Rate.
My Rule of Thumb: Keep Damage at about 60-70% of your total upgrades. Why? because high fire rate with low damage just tickles enemies with armor later in the game.

Step 3: Don’t Neglect Ammo Capacity

This is a mistake many newbies make. They max out damage but run out of ammo in 3 seconds during a boss fight. I recommend upgrading your ammo/clip size every 3rd or 4th upgrade cycle. It keeps you in the fight longer and saves you the precious seconds spent reloading.

Step 4: Weapon Evolution (Tiering)

Once you’ve maxed out the basic stats of a gun (or reached a specific wave threshold), the game will usually offer an “Evolve” or “Tier Up” option. This often costs a different currency or a massive amount of cash.

Requirement: Check the bottom of the upgrade menu. If it says “Next Tier Available,” sell your soul (or your savings) to get it. Tier 2 weapons are exponentially stronger than Tier 1.

Advanced Upgrade Strategies for 2026

If you want to be the MVP of the lobby, you need to go beyond the basics. Here are some advanced tactics I’ve picked up from top players and Discord communities.

The “Economy Wave” Strategy

This is crucial. Do not upgrade your gun on every single wave.

Waves 1-10: Upgrade every wave.
Waves 11-20: Save cash on odd-numbered waves. Upgrade on even-numbered waves.
Why? You need a buffer for those moments when you die. If you die with 0 cash, you lose momentum. Having a “bank” allows you to re-buy your loadout and immediately upgrade again.

Elemental Upgrades

In the recent updates, 100 Waves Later introduced elemental effects (Fire, Ice, Electric).

Fire: Great for waves with low-health, high-count enemies (DoT damage).
Ice: Essential for slowing down fast rushing enemies.
Electric: Good for stunning bosses (if the game mechanic allows it).
Tip: Check the enemy type for the upcoming wave. If it’s a “Zombie Rush” wave, switch to Fire. If it’s a “Tank” wave, stick to raw Physical Damage or Ice to kite them.

Weapon Synergy

If the game allows you to carry two primary weapons, build them to cover each other’s weaknesses.

Primary (AR): Max Damage/Range for consistent DPS.
Secondary (Shotny): Max Fire Rate/Spread for crowd control when enemies get too close.

Common Mistakes to Avoid In 2026

I see these errors constantly, and they cost players the game.

Upgrading the Pistol: The starter pistol is fine for Wave 1. By Wave 10, stop putting cash into it. Save that money for your primary.
Ignoring Range: On the larger maps, low range means you are running into the danger zone to get hits. Upgrade range just enough to hit enemies from the safety of the base walls.
Premature Tiering: Don’t Tier Up a gun if it means you can’t afford any ammo for the next 5 waves. Ensure you have a sustainable economy before making big purchases.

Weapon Tier List: What to Upgrade in March 2026?

Meta changes, but as of the current patch, here is how I rank the weapons in terms of “Upgrade Value.”

S-Tier (Must Upgrade):

Golden AK / Mythic AR: Usually offers the best balance of damage and fire rate.
Railgun: High risk, high reward. If you upgrade Damage, this one-shots almost everything.

A-Tier (Solid Choices):

SMGs: Great for early waves, falls off slightly in late game unless you have amazing aim.
Snipers: Essential for boss waves, but terrible for regular hoards. Upgrade one just for bosses.

C-Tier (Avoid Upgrading):

Pistols: Only use as a last resort.
Launchers: Fun, but ammo is too expensive to sustain for 100 waves.

Troubleshooting: Why Can’t I Upgrade?

Sometimes you visit the station and nothing happens. Here is what I do to fix it:

Server Lag: Sometimes the interaction doesn’t register. Un-equip and re-equip the gun.
Max Cap: You might have hit the max level for that specific weapon tier. You need to “Evolve” it to a higher tier, which usually requires a specific item or a visit to a different NPC (like the Scientist or Merchant).
Full Inventory: If your inventory is buggy, try dropping a junk item and picking it up again to refresh the UI.

Community Insights and Future Updates

The developers of 100 Waves Later are active on their Discord server. Recently, they hinted at a new “Gem Socket” system coming in late 2026, which will allow players to insert gems into their guns for bonus stats. Keep an eye on the patch notes! If this drops, the strategy will shift from pure cash upgrades to resource management (farming gems).

I highly recommend joining the Official Discord (placeholder link) to get real-time alerts on double-cash events. Playing during these events is the fastest way to max out your weapons.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best gun to upgrade for beginners?

For beginners, I always recommend the Assault Rifle (AR) class. It has decent range, good fire rate, and manageable recoil. It allows you to learn the game mechanics without struggling with shotguns that require you to be close or snipers that require perfect aim.

How do I get infinite ammo in 100 Waves Later?

Currently, there is no legitimate “Infinite Ammo” button. However, upgrading your Ammo/Clip Size stat to the maximum usually makes it feel infinite because reloads become so rare. Some “Dev Codes” might give temporary buffs, but those change weekly.

Does upgrading Range actually help?

Yes, but mostly for specific maps. If you are playing on a map with long sightlines (like the Desert or City map), Range is vital. If you are playing in a tight map (like the Bunker), ignore Range and put those points into Damage.

I lost my gun after a wave, what happened?

In most Hardcore mode servers, if you die, you drop your weapon. If you can’t retrieve it in time, it’s gone. This is why I always advise keeping a small cash reserve (Emergency Fund) so you can buy a backup weapon and start upgrading again immediately.

Can I reset my weapon upgrades?

Yes, most servers have a “Respec” or “Reset” option at the Upgrade Station. It usually costs a small amount of Robux or in-game Tokens. Use this if you accidentally maxed out the wrong stat on your main gun.

Conclusion

Upgrading weapons and guns in 100 Waves Later isn’t just about clicking buttons; it’s about resource management, understanding enemy waves, and planning your build. By focusing your cash on one primary weapon, balancing your stats between Damage and Ammo, and preparing for the late-game Tier evolutions, you will dominate the leaderboards.

Don’t forget to save this guide for the next update, as the meta shifts fast! Good luck surviving the 100 waves.