Best Weapons in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

Patrick.Yu

Metal Gear Solid Delta features a wide variety of weapons that go far beyond simple firepower. While rifles, pistols, and explosives make up the backbone of Snake’s arsenal, many tools serve non-lethal or tactical purposes, such as tranquilizer guns, distraction items, or even improvised gear like magazines and cigars. Knowing when to use the right weapon is just as important as having it in your inventory, since some enemies can be subdued without a fight, while others require heavy firepower. 

This guide lists every weapon available in the game, then highlights the top five that stand out as the most useful or enjoyable to use. 

All weapons in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater 

• AK-47 – Assault rifle found at Rassvet and Bolshaya Past Base. 
• Gentlemen’s Magazine – Distraction item found in Graniny Gorki South. 
• Cigarette Gas Spray – Non-lethal gas weapon found in Graniny Gorki Lab B1 West. 
• Claymore – Land mine, first found in Bolshaya Past South. 
• EZ Gun – Unlocked by earning the Markhor title or by default on Very Easy. 
• Flashbang Grenade – Causes temporary blindness, commonly dropped by guards. 
• Fork – Unlocked automatically through story progression. 
• Frag Grenade – Standard explosive, can be found in most guard drops. 
• Handkerchief – Sleep-inducing cloth, found in Graniny Gorki Lab B1 West. 
• Incendiary Grenade – Sets enemies on fire, found in guard drops. 
• Survival Knife– Default melee weapon. 
• M37 – Shotgun, found in Rassvet and Chyornaya Peschera Cave. 
• M63 – Light machine gun, found in Svyatogornyj East. 
• M1911A1 – Standard pistol, obtained through story progression. 
• Magazine – Distraction item obtained by emptying a weapon’s clip. 
• Mk22 – Suppressed tranquilizer pistol, unlocked by default. 
• Mosin Nagant – Tranquilizer sniper rifle, obtained by defeating The End nonlethally. 
• Mousetrap – Placed as bait or trap, first found in Bolshaya Past Base. 
• Patriot – Unlockable weapon obtained after completing the story. 
• RPG-7 – Rocket launcher, found in Krasnogorje Mountainside. 
• Scorpion – Found in Groznyj Grad Weapons Lab: East Wing. 
• Single Action Army – Given to Snake, then unlocked permanently after completing the story. 
• Smoke Grenade – Creates cover, can be found in most guard drops. 
• SVD – Sniper rifle, found in Dremuchij North (Virtuous Mission) and Ponizovje West (Operation Snake Eater). 
• Torch – Found in Chyornaya Peschera Cave Branch. 
• TNT – Remote explosives, first found in Bolshaya Past Base. 
• XM16E1 – Assault rifle, found in Dolinovodno (Virtuous Mission) and Graniny Gorki Exterior. 

Top 8 weapons in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater

1. Mk22 (Tranquilizer Pistol) 

The Mk22 is one of the most important weapons in the entire game. It comes equipped with a suppressor and fires tranquilizer darts, making it the go-to tool for a non-lethal playthrough. Not only is it perfect for silently taking out guards, but it is also essential if you want to defeat bosses without killing them. 

The Mk22 is unlocked by default, so you can rely on it from the start of Operation Snake Eater. It remains your main option for putting enemies to sleep until much later in the game, when you can earn the Mosin Nagant sniper rifle by defeating The End non-lethally. 

2. Smoke Grenade 

The Smoke Grenade is one of the simplest tools in the game, but it’s surprisingly versatile and fun to use. Tossing one creates a cloud that blinds and distracts enemies, giving you time to sneak past or set up a takedown. It’s especially useful in areas with multiple guards since the cover lets you slip by without raising an alert. 

The Smoke Grenade also has a hidden bonus in boss fights. Against The Pain, throwing one disperses his hornet armor, making him far easier to damage. It’s quicker and more efficient than trying to chip away at the swarm with gunfire, turning a frustrating fight into something much more manageable. 

For both stealth and combat utility, the Smoke Grenade is one of the best non-lethal tools in Snake’s arsenal. 

3. XM16E1 (Assault Rifle) 

The XM16E1 is one of the best early-game rifles you can grab, and it becomes available before the fight with The Fear. If you are doing a lethal playthrough, this is the gun to get. Compared to the AK-47 you pick up earlier, the XM16E1 has more reliable aiming, making it easier to control in both short bursts and sustained fire. 

4. SVD (Sniper Rifle) 

The SVD is the lethal counterpart to the Mosin Nagant. It’s a classic sniper rifle that delivers powerful long-range shots, making it ideal for players who prefer a lethal approach. What makes the SVD particularly interesting is that you can find it early, even before the fights with The Fear and The End. With some careful exploration, you can use it to snipe The End while he’s being wheeled out in his chair, skipping one of the toughest boss battles entirely. 

For players who don’t want to go non-lethal, the SVD is the sniper rifle of choice. It gives you precision and stopping power in wide-open areas, and it’s one of the most satisfying guns to use when you want to take enemies out from a distance. 

5. Handkerchief 

The Handkerchief is a clever non-lethal tool that makes close-quarters encounters much easier. Normally, you can choke out enemies using CQC, but with the Handkerchief equipped, Snake knocks them unconscious much faster. This makes it perfect for quickly clearing out guards without wasting ammo or risking an alert. 

It’s found in Graniny Gorki Lab B1 West, tucked away in a locker, and once you have it, it becomes one of the best utility items for stealth players. Simple, reliable, and efficient, the Handkerchief is a must-have for anyone who prefers knocking enemies out over killing them. 

6. RPG-7 (Rocket Launcher) 

The RPG-7 is the heavy weapon of choice and one of the most satisfying tools in the game when sheer firepower is needed. It’s found in the Krasnogorje Mountainside, just before you team up with EVA. From there, it becomes essential for big set-piece battles, especially against the Shagohod. 

What makes the RPG fun is its raw destructive power. Unlike most weapons in the game, it can take down vehicles, blast through groups of enemies, and deal massive damage to bosses. Even though it doesn’t fit into a stealth playthrough, it’s one of those weapons that players can’t resist pulling out when the mission calls for pure chaos. 

7. Mosin Nagant (Tranquilizer Sniper Rifle) 

The Mosin Nagant is the reward for defeating The End non-lethally, and it’s one of the best weapons for players committed to a pacifist run. This sniper rifle fires tranquilizer rounds instead of bullets, letting you take down enemies from long range without killing them. Its stamina-draining shots make it especially effective against guards patrolling open areas. 

What makes the Mosin Nagant fun is that it feels like a true sniper’s weapon but without breaking a non-lethal playthrough. Since you don’t get it until after the fight with The End, it comes late in the game, but it’s a perfect complement to the Mk22 for stealth-focused players. 

8. Patriot (Assault Pistol) 

The Patriot is The Boss’s signature weapon, and after the final battle she passes it on to Snake. In gameplay terms, it becomes available as a reward for New Game+, once you’ve completed the story. The weapon is a compact assault pistol chambered for 5.56mm rounds, and its biggest draw is infinite ammo, which makes it one of the most powerful guns in the game. 

While it doesn’t fit into a stealth playthrough, the Patriot is perfect for unleashing chaos on a second run. It turns Snake into a one-man army, mowing down guards and bosses without ever having to reload. More than just a gun, it symbolizes Snake inheriting The Boss’s will, making it one of the most meaningful weapons in the series. 

Conclusion 

The weapons in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater cover everything from classic pistols and rifles to quirky gadgets that fit the game’s spy-thriller style. Whether you rely on the Mk22 and Mosin Nagant for a non-lethal run, unleash chaos with the RPG-7 and Patriot, or use creative tools like the Handkerchief and Smoke Grenade, there’s a weapon for every playstyle. 

Choosing the right gear is part of what makes each playthrough feel unique. Some weapons are practical must-haves, while others are just plain fun to experiment with. Together, they add depth and variety to Snake’s mission in the jungle. 

If you enjoyed this breakdown, make sure to check out my full ranking of the Hardest Bosses in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, where I cover every boss fight from easiest to most challenging.

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