ARC Raiders Patch 1.20.0 delivered significant balance changes, with the most impactful adjustments being the nerfs to previously dominant weapons—most notably the once-unstoppable Il Toro shotgun, along with tweaks to other key picks. The Flashpoint Update at the end of March also introduced two new weapons: Dolabra & Canto. What guns are the most powerful in PvP now? This new ARC Raiders tier list ranks from the PvP weapons (shotgun, pistol, rifle, hand cannon & SMG) from best to worst based on their performance after patch 1.20.0 & Flashpoint Update.

ARC Raiders Flashpoint Weapon Tier List 2026 - Best PvP Weapons for ARC Raiders 

Before starting the rankings, let’s clarify the core factors that determine whether a weapon is good in PvP, especially after ARC Raiders Patch 1.20.0’s nerfs and Flashpoint Update on March 31, 2026:

• TTK (Time to Kill): The single most critical metric. How quickly a weapon can eliminate an enemy (seconds & shots) decides fights.

• Trade Potential: Can it win fair head-to-head duels, not just ambushes?

• Control & Accuracy: Bloom, recoil, handling — poor control wastes ammo and loses fights.

• Mobility Synergy: Fast PvP favors light, quick-ADS weapons with minimal movement penalty.

• Versatility: Performs in close/medium/long range — one-trick weapons rank lower.

• PvE vs PvP Bias: Weapons strong against ARC may still struggle vs human players.

ARC Raiders Flashpoint Update New Content

Released March 31, 2026, the Flashpoint Update focuses on mysterious unknown signals, new ARC threats, map mechanics, guns, items, projects, quality-of-life improvements, and cosmetics:

• New ARC Operation: Close Scrutiny. A major map condition featuring the stationary Assessor machine (high-value loot inside but less global loot and heavy ARC patrols).

• New enemy: Vaporizer. A flying ARC unit with deadly laser attacks and unique patterns guarding the Assessor.

• Two new weapons: Canto (SMG) & Dolabra (energy shotgun).

• New deployable: Surge Coil – electrifies an area to shock nearby enemies.

• New Project: High Gain Antenna – build it for rewards by gathering resources.

• Scrappy upgrade: Feeding Boost – feed items for better loot drops.

• Wider Shredder spawns across multiple Rust Belt maps.

• Crafting improvements: faster material fulfillment, direct source suggestions.

• New cosmetics: Wasp Hunter Set (paid bundle) + 3 free outfits coming in April.

How to Get Dolabra in ARC Raiders?

The only reliable way to get the Dolabra is to acquire its Blueprint, and the best chance of getting this Blueprint is by participating in the new ARC Operation: Close Scrutiny. ARC Operation: Close Scrutiny is a new type of major map condition in the game, which centers around the ARC Assessor—a large, stationary, unarmed machine that makes controlled landings across the map and is accompanied by unprecedented ARC patrols. It should be noted that in this map condition, the overall loot available around the map is significantly reduced (as the Assessor is likely to have concentrated the resources), so players need to focus on the loot inside the ARC Assessor to get the Dolabra Blueprint.

When participating in Close Scrutiny, players will not only face the ARC patrols accompanying the Assessor but also need to deal with the new ARC threat: the Vaporizer. The Vaporizer is a flying ARC unit with devastating laser attacks and idiosyncratic attack patterns, which adds more difficulty to the challenge. Additionally, players may also encounter other Raiders competing for the Blueprint, so it is necessary to bring the best gear and be fully prepared for fierce battles. 

How to Get Canto in ARC Raiders?

Embark Studios has not provided any targeted guidance on where to find the Canto, which indicates that the Canto is likely a random (RNG) world drop in the game. This means that players can obtain the Canto (or its Blueprint, for crafting) anywhere on any map across the Rust Belt during normal gameplay, without being limited to a specific map condition, mission, or location. You may find the Canto in any lootable container, as a drop from ARC enemies or other Raiders, or in any random location while navigating the game’s maps.

S-Tier ARC Raiders PvP Weapons

These weapons are the best for PvP in ARC Raiders right now, even after Patch 1.20.0’s nerfs. If you have access to them, you should prioritize using them.

1. Venator

The Venator is a semi-automatic pistol, it is an absolute monster in PvP, even though after two separate nerfs. You may see it in nearly every top player’s loadout, especially on maps like Stella Montis. The Venator still boasts a blistering fire rate, near-perfect stability, and a reload speed that’s fast enough to keep you in the fight. Its kill profile is brutal: 4 headshots or 8 body shots to take down a medium-shielded enemy, and you can land those shots in seconds thanks to its pinpoint accuracy. Your character moves fluidly while wielding it, no clunky handling to slow you down—making it deadly in close, medium, and even short-long range engagements.

2. Renegade

Patch 1.20.0 didn’t change the Renegade, which makes it the best choice for long-range fights. It’s also flexible enough to use in most situations—even for players who prefer melee combat. To take down a medium-shielded enemy, you need 2 headshots or 4-5 body shots (the same as the Osprey, but without any downsides). It reloads in a flash, has a large magazine (even bigger with upgrades), and lets you move enough to get closer after shooting from far away. Unlike snipers, it keeps you quick on your feet, so you can start fights from a distance and finish them with a secondary weapon. It also works well in medium-range duels and can even hold its own up close if you aim well.

3. Vulcano

Vulcano is now the top shotgun for PvP. It’s similar to the Il Toro but fires automatically. It still takes 3 body shots to kill a medium-shielded enemy (just like the Il Toro did before its changes), but you don’t need to use the tech that made the old Il Toro work. Instead, you can just open a door, spray bullets, and close it—most of the time, your enemy will be down before they can react. It kills faster than the changed Il Toro (since you don’t have to click repeatedly), and while it’s a little harder to control, it’s worth it. It works best in tight spaces like hallways and rooms, and pairs well with long-range secondary weapons like the Renegade or Venator because it’s easy to use and very effective.

4. Bobcat

If you need an S-tier SMG for ARC Raider PvP, Bobcat is a good choice. This Submachine Gun is very fast, deadly, and scary to face. It can kill an enemy in about 0.6 seconds if you mix body and head shots—one of the fastest killing weapons in the game after the patch. It makes a unique roaring sound that scares enemies, fires very fast, and is light enough to let you run at full speed while shooting. It doesn’t work well at long distances or in open areas, but in tight spaces like Spaceport or Dam Controlled Access Zone, it’s unbeatable. Even if you’re not a top player, it can turn close fights into easy wins.

5. Dolabra (New)

The Dolabra is a close-range energy shotgun that gives Raiders a powerful new way to break through ARC armor plating. It features a variable focus system that allows you to fire either a wide electric burst for crowd and close-quarters damage, or a focused funnel of electricity for higher penetration and concentrated damage. This weapon excels at extremely close to mid-close combat, with damage output that competes with the strongest shotguns in PvP. The Dolabra Blueprint is primarily obtained from the ARC Operation: Close Scrutiny event. While it uses energy ammo and has a moderate reload speed, its raw stopping power and dual firing modes make it one of the strongest close-range weapons in the game.

A-Tier ARC Raiders PvP Weapons

These ARC Raiders weapons maybe not the strongest, but they’re far from weak, even after Patch 1.20.0. In the right circumstances, with good positioning, accuracy, or ambush tactics, they can outperform even S-Tier options. They’re great for players who want to mix up their loadout or capitalize on niche scenarios, but they won’t carry you through every fight post-nerf.

1. Canto (New)

The Canto is a medium-ammunition submachine gun built for close-quarters effectiveness against both ARC machines and enemy Raiders. It provides consistent, reliable firepower that keeps hostiles at arm’s length without sacrificing mobility or control. It offers balanced performance in tight spaces and maintains usability at slightly longer ranges than most light SMGs. While it does not have the extreme TTK of top-tier SMGs like the Bobcat, it offers greater consistency and versatility in mixed PvE and PvP engagements. It is easy to handle, stable while firing, and serves as a dependable all-around choice for players who want a well-rounded close-to-medium option.

2. Stitcher

The Stitcher used to be S-Tier, but now moved it to A-Tier. Even so, it’s still a reliable weapon. This light SMG uses light ammo, fires very fast (a little slower now), and can kill a medium-shielded enemy with roughly 11 body shots and 2 head shots. It’s fast, easy to move with, and responsive—if you get the first few shots off, you’ll usually win the fight. It’s a great weapon for new players and works well at close to medium range, but it struggles against S-Tier weapons in direct fights. It’s almost B-Tier, but its consistency and ease of use keep it in A-Tier for now.

3. Hairpin

You’ll either love it or hate it, depending on how well you can hit headshots. This semi-automatic weapon does a lot of damage per shot: 3 headshots or 7 body shots will take down a medium-shielded enemy. That’s deadly, but only if you can hit your shots. It’s strictly an ambush weapon—you’ll lose a fair fight against an SMG or AR, but if you catch an enemy off guard (like when they’re healing or walking into a room), you can kill them before they know what’s happening. After other ambush weapons were weakened, it’s become more useful.

4. Ferro

Patch 1.20.0 didn’t change the Ferro, and it’s basically a rifle version of the Anvil. It’s a long-range weapon that can do massive damage if you use it right. To kill a medium-shielded enemy, you need 2 headshots or a full magazine of body shots. When upgraded, it reloads fast enough to let you shoot again while dodging enemy fire. It’s terrible in close quarters—if you get trapped in a room with someone using a Stitcher or Bobcat, you’ll likely die. But on most maps (except the tight, chaotic Stella Montis), you can fight from a distance where the Ferro shines. It’s an extreme weapon—it can be your best choice or your worst, but its long-range damage and flexibility put it in A-Tier.

5. Burletta

The Burletta is one of the most underrated weapons in PvP. After the Stitcher and Kettle were weakened, it’s become even better. This light SMG fires very fast, does good damage per shot, and reloads quickly enough to keep you in the fight. To kill a medium-shielded enemy, you need 13 body shots, 6 head shots, or 8 body shots plus 3 head shots for a faster kill. Its best feature is mobility—it’s light and easy to move with while shooting, making it easy to outmaneuver enemies. It’s not as deadly as the Bobcat or Venator, but it’s consistent, reliable, and fun to use. It’s a fan favorite for a reason, and it deserves more attention after the patch.

6. Anvil

Anvil is a flexible weapon that can fit into any loadout. It’s deadly, with 4 body shots or 2 head shots needed to kill a medium-shielded enemy, and it works well at both close and medium range. The problem? It only holds 6 bullets—miss a few shots, and you’ll have to reload, which could get you killed. It’s great for players who practice their aim—those who can hit consistent head shots can make it almost meta.

7. Arpeggio

Arpeggio is underrated in both PvE and PvP. This burst-fire weapon is great, but it takes practice to use well. If you get good at it, you can land 2 chest shots and 1 head shot in a single burst, killing a medium-shielded enemy quickly. Its burst fire is fast, it’s easy to control the recoil, and it works surprisingly well at close range (because you can spam bursts to overwhelm enemies). It’s flexible—good at medium range (where burst fire is best) and close range. It’s not as deadly as the Venator or Bobcat, but it’s fun, unique, and can hold its own against other A-Tier weapons. If you haven’t tried it, give it a go—you’ll be surprised how good it is after the patch.

8. Torrente

Torrente is perfect for ambushes, traps, and sneaky fights. It’s almost meta, but it’s held back by its need for close range and poor accuracy at a distance. To use it well, you need to be very close to your target—any further than point-blank, and it’s hard to hit shots. But if you can surprise someone (especially if they’re stunned by a grenade or trap), you can kill them in seconds. It has a deadly kill rate, but its short range and poor control hold it back. It can be beaten by S-Tier weapons if the enemy sees you first, but in the right hands—hiding around corners, waiting for unsuspecting enemies—it’s a force to be reckoned with.

9. Tempest

Tempest is right between A-Tier and B-Tier. It didn’t get changed, and its biggest flaw is its slow fire rate—in a direct fight against a Stitcher, Bobcat, or Venator, you’ll die first because you can’t shoot fast enough. But it has one big advantage: it loses very little damage at a distance. If you can keep your distance and hit your shots, you can beat meta weapons—especially if the enemy is caught off guard. It also makes a unique sound that scares enemies, giving you a mental edge.

10. Equalizer

The Equalizer is the best legendary weapon for PvP, though that’s not saying much. Patch 1.20.0 didn’t change it, and it has a lot of potential thanks to its high damage and unique effect on enemies. If you haven’t used it against other players, try it—enemies hate it. It’s not as good as A-Tier staples like the Stitcher or Burletta, but it’s far from weak. Its strength is its raw damage—if you hit your shots, you can kill enemies quickly. It’s not meta, but it’s fun and effective for players who want to use a legendary weapon in PvP after the patch. It won’t carry you through every fight, but it can pull off some impressive kills.

11. Il Toro

The Il Toro used to be S-Tier, but it was heavily changed in Patch 1.20.0—so much so that it’s now A-Tier. The changes turned it from a PvP terror into a usable but not meta weapon, requiring more skill and better positioning to use well. Before the patch, it was great in close quarters, using the Shinya Roll trick to stay safe while dealing heavy damage. It took 3 body shots to kill a medium-shielded enemy, and with upgrades, it was surprisingly deadly at distances you wouldn’t expect from a shotgun. Patch 1.20.0 changed everything: pellet damage dropped from 7.5 to 7, fire rate from 43 to 38, accuracy from 4.5 to 6, reload time from 4.3s to 5.7s, and damage falloff increased from 40% to 50%. Now, it’s still usable, but it’s no longer meta. It needs precise positioning and upgrades to compete with A-Tier and S-Tier weapons, but it can still work well in the right hands.

B-Tier ARC Raiders PvP Weapons

These weapons are not strong choices for PvP, especially after Patch 1.20.0’s nerfs. They suffer from poor damage, slow reloads, bad control, or a combination of all three—and they’ll put you at a disadvantage in most fights. You can use them if you’re out of options, but you’ll have to work twice as hard to win against someone using an A-Tier or S-Tier weapon post-balance.

1. Kettle

The Kettle is nothing like its former S-Tier self. Just a few weeks ago, it was top-tier because it had no limit on fire rate—players could use scripts to make it fire like a machine gun. But the latest patch and previous changes ruined it, pushing it to B-Tier. Three things made it weak: a capped fire rate (most players can’t click fast enough to match the Stitcher or Bobcat), lower damage (slower kill time), and a very long reload. Once, it could beat the Stitcher 9 out of 10 times. Now, it struggles even against other B-Tier weapons. It’s not completely useless—skilled players who can click fast enough can still use it—but for most players, it’s a weak choice after the patch.

2. Rattler

Patch 1.20.0 didn’t change the Rattler, but it’s still weak—and not for the reasons you might think. Its damage is decent; the problem is its small magazine and weird reload (only two bullets at a time). You need to aim perfectly with the Rattler—waste one bullet, and you might not have enough to kill an enemy in one magazine. If you run out of ammo, you have to reload two bullets at a time—a slow, clunky process that leaves you open to attacks. Skilled players can use two Rattlers (empty one, switch to the other), but that’s too much work for a weapon that’s worse than almost every A-Tier option.

3. Aphelion

The Aphelion is a legendary weapon that’s not good in PvP. It has a small magazine, slow reload, low fire rate, and low damage—even an uncommon weapon like the Arpeggio can beat it in a direct fight. Developers have tried to buff it in recent patches, and it seems like they want it to be good in PvP, but they haven’t done enough. The Aphelion is made for PvE (where it’s great against ARC units), and that’s where it belongs. It’s not completely useless in PvP, but it’s weak—you’ll have to work harder than ever to get a kill with it after the patch.

F-Tier ARC Raiders PvP Weapons

These weapons should never be used in PvP, especially after Patch 1.20.0. They put you at a severe disadvantage, and even the weakest B-Tier weapon can outtrade them. They might be able to kill enemies in theory, but in practice, you’ll die more often than not—and you’ll frustration yourself in the process.

1. Osprey

Osprey is completely outclassed by the Renegade. It has the same kill requirement (2 headshots or 4 body shots for a medium-shielded enemy), but it’s slow, clunky, and hard to move with. The problem is simple: players don’t stand still in PvP. You’ll land one shot, the enemy will realize they’re being sniped, and they’ll hide—losing the element of surprise. If you try to use it at medium range, the enemy will turn around and kill you before you can reload or aim. You can quick-scope with it, but that takes so much skill that you’re better off using the Renegade (which does the same thing, but better).

2. Bettina

The Bettina is terrible in PvP, plain and simple. It has a small magazine, slow reload, terrible accuracy, and almost no damage. You can try to tap-fire it to aim better, but while you’re doing that, a Stitcher or Bobcat will kill you. It’s not even worth using as a last resort—you’re better off using your fists than the Bettina. If you want an automatic weapon, use the Tempest. If you want a burst-fire weapon, use the Arpeggio. The Bettina has no good qualities in PvP—it’s slow, weak, and frustrating to use. Save yourself the trouble and avoid it.

3. Hullcracker

The Hullcracker is a PvE weapon, plain and simple—and Patch 1.20.0 didn’t change it. It’s made to kill ARC units, not players. Yes, you can bounce its projectiles off walls and blow them up near enemies, but that’s a trick, not a real strategy. In PvP, you’ll waste time trying to line up a bounce shot, and the enemy will kill you before you can do it. There’s no reason to use the Hullcracker in PvP. It’s slow, unreliable, and worse than every other weapon in the game.

4. Jupiter

The Jupiter is a rail gun with a cool idea but terrible PvP performance—and Patch 1.20.0 didn’t change it. Like the Osprey, it takes 2 headshots to kill a medium-shielded enemy, but it’s even slower and more expensive. Its bullets cost a lot to make, it’s hard to aim, and once you shoot, the enemy will hide and heal. The Jupiter should kill light-shielded enemies with one headshot (given how costly and hard it is to use), but it doesn’t—and that’s why it’s bad. Using the Jupiter in PvP is a waste of resources. You’ll land one shot, the enemy will escape, and you’ll have spent valuable coins on a bullet that did nothing. It’s a cool weapon, but it’s useless in PvP.