Looking for the best PvP weapons in Arc Raiders patch 1.6? This guide ranks the top S tier guns by how easy they are to get, build, and win fights with. In this list, we focus only on human-vs-human combat and break down ten standout picks from Ferro up to Renegade, judging each on blueprint and vendor availability, how attachment dependent and upgrade hungry they are, and how reliably they delete other raiders in real firefights. Whether you want a cheap, reliable backup like the Stitcher or a fully kitted late-game monster like the Aphelion or Renegade, this breakdown will help you decide which guns are worth investing your parts, credits, and precious repair durability into.
10 Best PvP Weapons in ARC Raiders
10. Ferro (Common Weapon)
The Ferro earns its spot on this list because it’s one of the easiest PvP weapons to use effectively the moment you get it. As a starting gun, it shows up in free loadouts often, and upgrading it is inexpensive, which already puts it ahead of many pink or exotic weapons in terms of accessibility. Its playstyle is simple but reliable: land one accurate shot, duck back into cover, and repeat. The Ferro excels at these short exposure trades, letting you pressure opponents without ever giving them much time to respond.
Its shortcomings are tied to scaling. The Ferro doesn’t gain much from attachments, and even when upgraded, it lacks the ceiling of higher-tier weapons. A suppressor or high-velocity barrel can help, but the real gains are small. It also struggles in PvE against larger ARCs, so it’s not the weapon you want if you expect to fight big ARCs along the way.
Still, as a low-cost, low-maintenance headshot tool for close to mid-range PvP, the Ferro is dependable. It’s a great early- to mid-game option for players who want a simple weapon that hits hard, rewards accuracy, and doesn’t require a full kit of high-tier attachments to shine.
9. Stitcher (Common Weapon)
The Stitcher is one of the most cost-efficient PvP weapons in Arc Raiders. It appears frequently in free loadouts, the blueprint is easy to acquire, and the upgrade costs stay low throughout all four levels. Once you reach level three, the reduced recoil and faster reload begin to make a noticeable difference. At level four, the Stitcher cycles quickly enough to compete in close-quarters fights where timing decides the winner.
In PvP, the Stitcher works because it is simple and reliable. The recoil pattern is easy to control, the time-to-kill is fast at close range, and it rewards players who can stay on target during short engagements. Adding a larger magazine and a recoil-reduction attachment makes the weapon even stronger. It often wins fights simply because it is quick to reload, quick to handle, and dependable under pressure. For this reason, many players use it as a dedicated backup when their primary weapon is built for longer distances.
Its only real weakness is its poor PvE performance. It struggles against ARC units and offers little utility outside of human-vs-human combat. Even so, for pure PvP performance, especially in tight urban areas or indoor spaces, the Stitcher remains one of the most effective budget choices available. It is inexpensive to build, inexpensive to repair, and strong enough to secure kills without needing a full set of high-tier attachments.
8. Anvil (Uncommon Weapon)
The Anvil is a powerhouse in PvP because it delivers heavy, accurate shots without requiring a complicated setup. Even at level one, it performs well in close and mid-range fights, and upgrading it only makes it stronger. Each upgrade significantly increases its rate of fire, which turns the Anvil from a slow, punishing rifle into a weapon that can dominate tight duels with rapid follow-ups.
The Anvil’s strengths are straightforward. It hits hard, it keeps its accuracy while moving, and it excels at peek shooting. You pop out, land a high-damage headshot, and slip back into cover before your opponent can return fire. At level four, the boosted fire rate lets you play aggressively in close-quarters situations, where two solid headshots usually finish the fight.
Its downside is the lack of build variety. The Anvil accepts only a few useful attachments, and most do not meaningfully change how the weapon behaves. A compensator is helpful if you plan to fire as fast as possible, but beyond that the options are limited. It also struggles at long range because of slower bullet velocity and higher dispersion, so it cannot compete with weapons like the Renegade or Ferro in a pure sniping exchange.
Even with these limitations, the Anvil is one of the most reliable PvP weapons in the game. It requires little investment, has strong performance at multiple distances, and can carry an entire kit on its own. If you want a sturdy all-purpose weapon that shines in quick trades and close-range engagements, the Anvil deserves a spot in your loadout.
7. Vulcano (Epic Weapon)
The Vulcano is the exotic shotgun that many players expect to perform at the top of the meta, but in practice it lands in a more middle-ground position. It can be very strong when fully invested into, but reaching that point requires a rare blueprint, a level four upgrade, and a full set of high-quality attachments. Without these pieces, the Vulcano often feels inconsistent in PvP and expensive to maintain.
Its main strength is raw stopping power at close range. When the Vulcano is fully upgraded and equipped with the right choke and magazine, it delivers fast follow-up shots that can overwhelm opponents who are not ready for a rapid shotgun duel. The weapon fires semi-automatically, which helps it keep pressure on targets and punish players who panic during close-quarters trades.
The challenges begin with cost and upkeep. Shotgun ammunition is among the most expensive to craft and takes significant inventory space, and the Vulcano burns durability faster than expected for a semi-automatic shotgun. This makes it harder to justify using it as your main PvP weapon, especially when cheaper options like Il Toro offer more consistent value with fewer requirements. The weapon is also weaker in PvE, so it is not ideal if you expect to encounter ARC between fights.
The Vulcano can shine, but only in a very specific setup. With the correct attachments and a level four upgrade, it becomes a strong close-range dueling tool. Outside of that scenario, it is harder to recommend. It is powerful but demanding, and players looking for a more dependable shotgun will usually find Il Toro a better all-around choice.
6. Tempest (Epic Weapon)
The Tempest is one of the most well-rounded automatic weapons in Arc Raiders, and it earns its place on this list because it performs consistently in close and mid-range PvP without requiring a huge investment. Even at level one, the Tempest feels smooth to handle, and upgrading it mainly improves reload speed rather than altering its core behavior. This makes it a practical choice for players who want a dependable pink weapon that does not rely on rare attachments to feel strong.
The weapon’s biggest advantage is stability. The Tempest has tight recoil, solid accuracy while moving, and a fast enough rate of fire to pressure enemies during quick engagements. Adding a green or blue magazine and a compensator turns it into a focused, predictable automatic rifle that rewards clean tracking. It also handles medium ammo efficiently, so you have more shots to work with compared to heavier options.
Its only major weakness appears at very close range. The Tempest struggles against aggressive shotguns and high-burst weapons, especially when a player with an Il Toro or Vulcano collapses the distance. Mobility is another limitation. The Tempest is not slow, but it cannot match the movement freedom you get when running lighter SMGs or precision rifles. For this reason, many players pair it with a strong close-range secondary.
Overall, the Tempest is a safe and versatile PvP pick. It is accurate, reliable, and effective in most situations, and it demands fewer attachments than many endgame weapons. If you want a pink weapon that feels strong without needing a perfect build, the Tempest is one of the best options available.
5. Il Toro (Uncommon Weapon)
The Il Toro is one of the strongest close-quarters PvP weapons in Arc Raiders, and it stands out because of how reliably it wins fights inside buildings, narrow alleys, and tight control points. Once you learn its movement-driven playstyle, the Il Toro becomes a dominant shotgun that rewards quick reactions and aggressive positioning.
Its biggest advantage is its damage profile. A clean hit can reach roughly 150 damage even without perfect pellets, and the weapon remains effective while firing from the hip. This makes it ideal for sprint-roll peeks, slide shots, and fast pushes through smoke or cover. Since the Il Toro is tube-fed, you can reload a few shells at a time, reset during a dodge roll, and stay ready without committing to a long, full reload animation.
Attachments play an important role in unlocking its full power. The green shotgun choke from the vendor is the key upgrade because it tightens the spread enough to land consistent headshots in PvP. Rate-of-fire increases from level upgrades also matter a lot, turning the weapon from a slow pump-action shotgun into a high-pressure close-range tool that can fire rapidly during duels. Once fully upgraded, it becomes one of the most efficient CQB weapons in the game.
Its main limitation is range. Outside of short distances, the Il Toro loses impact quickly, and players who rely on mid-range trading will struggle to use it. It also requires a degree of comfort with Arc Raiders’ movement mechanics. Sliding, sprint-rolling, and weaving between cover are essential for getting value from the weapon. If you are still learning the movement system, the Il Toro may feel weaker than its actual potential.
For players who understand close-range spacing and mobility, the Il Toro is easily one of the strongest PvP weapons available. It is the top choice for Buried City, Celamontis, and any interior-heavy fight, and it pairs extremely well with a long-range or mid-range primary.
4. Venator (Rare Weapon)
The Venator remains one of the most dependable PvP weapons in Arc Raiders, even after recent fire-rate adjustments. It excels in almost any engagement thanks to a very stable recoil pattern, a forgiving damage profile, and a unique double-barrel firing mechanic that outputs strong burst damage with every trigger pull. It performs well at close range, mid-range, and even surprisingly well at longer distances when controlled properly.
One of the Venator’s biggest strengths is that it does not rely heavily on attachments. A simple vertical grip and a green or blue extended magazine are often enough to bring the weapon close to its full potential. This makes it ideal for players who want top-tier performance without spending days farming for rare parts. Medium ammo is also easy to stockpile, so you can bring plenty of rounds without feeling overloaded.
In PvP, the Venator’s double-shot mechanic gives it a natural edge in quick trades. Every time you fire, you put out two rounds with excellent accuracy. This creates high-pressure situations for your opponent and often lets you secure kills before they can reposition or return fire. Hip-fire accuracy is also strong, which is why many players avoid ADS in close engagements and rely entirely on movement and tracking.
The drawbacks are minimal but still worth noting. While the Venator is excellent across most ranges, it cannot fully replace a precision rifle in long-distance duels. It also burns through ammo faster than a semi-automatic weapon, so you will need a steady supply if you take multiple fights in a single run. Even so, its repair costs remain moderate and its performance stays consistent across the weapon’s entire upgrade path.
Overall, the Venator is a highly flexible weapon that works well for nearly any playstyle. It is easy to build, easy to aim, and strong enough to win fights against most of the meta. If you prefer a weapon that balances accuracy, burst damage, and handling without requiring a perfect loadout, the Venator is one of the best choices in the game.
3. Bobcat (Epic Weapon)
The Bobcat is one of the highest-DPS automatic weapons in Arc Raiders, and it earns a top spot because of how quickly it can delete players in close and mid-range fights. What sets the Bobcat apart is how well it scales with attachments and upgrades. Even a basic version feels good, but once you add the right parts, the weapon becomes a true endgame powerhouse.
Its core strengths come from speed and stability. The Bobcat fires extremely fast, recovers from recoil quickly, and stays accurate during sustained tracking. With attachments like a blue compensator, a blue extended magazine, and a blue angled grip, the Bobcat turns into a laser that can melt opponents before they have time to react. The level upgrades also help reduce recoil and reload time, which further pushes the weapon into top-tier territory.
Medium ammo availability keeps the Bobcat practical to run, and its repair costs are manageable for an automatic weapon. Because it handles and moves well, you can stay aggressive, control angles, and pressure enemy teams without exposing yourself for long. It also maintains solid performance as you move, slide, or peek from cover, which makes it ideal for chaotic close-range encounters.
The main limitation is accessibility. The Bobcat’s blueprint is not easy to find, and its top-level performance relies heavily on high-quality attachments. Without them, it still works, but it does not reach the ceiling that makes it truly elite. It is also an ammo-hungry weapon, so long fights can drain your reserves quickly.
When fully built, the Bobcat is one of the deadliest automatic guns in the game. Its mix of speed, control, and raw damage output makes it a top PvP choice for players who enjoy aggressive firefights and fast mechanical play. If you can collect the right attachments, the Bobcat becomes a weapon that can carry entire matches.
2. Aphelion (Legendary Weapon)
The Aphelion is one of the strongest endgame weapons in Arc Raiders and represents the pinnacle of hybrid design. It behaves like a precision rifle when ADSed and like a shotgun when fired from the hip, giving it flexible options in nearly any PvP situation. This dual-mode behavior lets players adapt instantly to changing ranges, which makes the Aphelion feel powerful even before it reaches level four.
Its primary strength is versatility. When you shoulder the weapon, it delivers heavy, accurate shots that behave similarly to a boosted Renegade, allowing you to pressure opponents at mid-range with fast, high-damage follow-ups. When fired from the hip, the Aphelion produces a wide, close-range burst that can finish opponents quickly if they try to rush you. This combination makes the weapon extremely hard to counter unless an enemy catches you fully out of position.
Building the Aphelion does require preparation. You need the matriarch blueprint, rare materials, and a willingness to invest resources into repairs. Like other pink and exotic weapons, it also attracts attention the moment you fire it. The audio signature is loud enough that enemy teams often collapse on your location, which can be an advantage or a liability depending on your playstyle. Fortunately, the Aphelion itself is strong enough to hold its ground in most chaotic situations.
Its weaker point is PvE performance. Despite being an energy weapon, it does not excel at clearing ARC units or breaking armor like the Hullcracker or heavy rifles. It is built almost entirely for PvP, and that is where it shines. If your run is focused on fighting other players, the Aphelion delivers some of the most reliable kill potential in the entire game.
When fully upgraded and paired with the right attachments, the Aphelion becomes a dominant hybrid weapon that can win both long peeks and close-range duels. It is expensive and attention-drawing, but its performance more than justifies the investment. For players who want a single weapon that covers nearly every PvP scenario, the Aphelion is one of the best choices available.
1. Renegade (Rare Weapon)
The Renegade is the strongest overall PvP weapon in Arc Raiders patch 1.4, and it earns that position through a mix of power, versatility, and ease of use. It functions like a high-impact precision rifle that stays extremely reliable in close, mid, and long-range engagements. Even without perfect attachments, the Renegade feels immediately effective. Once it is fully upgraded, it becomes one of the most dominant weapons in the game.
Its biggest advantage is its damage consistency. The Renegade hits hard, maintains excellent accuracy, and has very little damage falloff at range. This allows it to win long-distance trading battles that most weapons cannot contest. At the same time, the Renegade is surprisingly strong in close quarters because its hip-fire is accurate enough to finish fights without needing to ADS. This gives it a wide engagement profile that few weapons can match.
Upgrades amplify its biggest strengths. The increased rate of fire at higher levels raises its kill potential dramatically and lets you pressure opponents with repeated shots instead of single, spaced-out openings. Since the weapon is chamber-fed, you can top off rounds during natural movement or between pieces of cover, which makes it practical to use during long raids.
The Renegade also benefits from strong attachment synergy. You can build it for long-range precision with a high-velocity barrel and a lightweight stock, or you can set it up as a close-range pressure weapon using a compensator and kinetic stock. Even the silencers work surprisingly well because the Renegade does not burn durability too quickly. The weapon stays flexible regardless of your preferred style.
The main drawback is simply cost. While not as resource-heavy as the Aphelion, the Renegade still requires a blueprint, upgrades, and a steady supply of medium ammo. It also stands out in PvP, so players often push your location once they hear it. If you are not comfortable with third-party pressure, you will need to stay mobile.
Despite those considerations, the Renegade remains the best all-around PvP weapon available. It offers top-tier range, close-range survivability, low attachment dependency, and one of the strongest upgrade paths in the game. If you want a single weapon that can carry every fight from start to finish, the Renegade is the weapon to trust.
Conclusion
Arc Raiders patch 1.6 has created a clear hierarchy of PvP weapons, and the ten guns on this list represent the strongest options available for human-vs-human combat. Each weapon brings its own strengths, from the Ferro’s low-cost precision to the Renegade’s unmatched versatility at every range. The most important factors remain accessibility, attachment requirements, and real performance under pressure. Some guns, like the Stitcher and Anvil, deliver outstanding value with minimal investment, while late-game weapons such as the Aphelion and Renegade reward players who are ready to commit resources into building a top-tier kit.
No matter which weapon you prefer, your success also depends on having a system that can handle large fights, fast movement, and the visual chaos of Arc Raiders’ PvP. If you are looking to upgrade your setup, the Acer Store offers options that fit both competitive and creative playstyles. Acer Nitro laptops and desktops are built for smooth, responsive gameplay at a friendly price point, while Predator systems deliver high-end performance with powerful GPUs and advanced cooling for players who want consistent frame rates in heavy PvP scenarios. Both lines provide strong value and can help you get the most out of every fight.
With the right weapon and the right machine, you can take full advantage of Arc Raiders’ skill-driven combat and push deeper into high-level play.
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