Top 5 cost-benefit weapons in ARC Raiders

Right now, several weapons are dominating the meta in ARC Raiders, creating a wide variety of strategies and playstyles that keep PvP highly unpredictable. Even if you're running the number one meta weapon, that doesn't guarantee you'll come out victorious in every raid. More often than not, a defeat means losing all the valuable resources you've invested into that weapon.

That's why today I'm going to show you my Top 5 cost-benefit weapons in ARC Raiders. Sometimes the most expensive option isn't necessarily the best one, especially in a game where resources can be limited and every investment matters.

Taking the fifth spot is the Vulcano IV, a weapon with absolutely devastating damage output. It excels in close-range engagements and completely dominates fights in tight, enclosed spaces. If you're looking to win close-quarters battles, this is one of the most intimidating weapons in the game.

Right now, the Vulcano sits firmly in the meta alongside the Bobcat. However, it's not a weapon everyone can afford to run. While it's not the most expensive gun to craft, it still requires a significant investment of resources, making it a much better choice for experienced players with well-stocked inventories rather than newcomers who are still building up their stash.

Crafting the Vulcano IV already demands a considerable amount of resources, and that's before upgrading it to Level IV and installing the optimal mods.

Taking the fourth spot is the Hairpin. While many players underestimate it and consider it a weak weapon, this pistol is more dangerous than it gets credit for. In the right hands, it can take you down surprisingly fast, even if you're running a Medium Shield.

What earns the Hairpin this spot, however, isn't just its performance it's the incredibly low crafting cost. As a gray-tier weapon, it requires only basic materials that you'll almost always have sitting in your stash, making it one of the most resource-efficient weapons in ARC Raiders.

The Hairpin is so cheap that you can start crafting it within your first few hours of gameplay. All you need is a Level 1 Workbench and the following materials:

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Taking the third spot is another weapon that most players tend to overlook. But trust me on this one, guys don't underestimate the Rattler IV. It delivers solid damage, has an excellent fire rate, and performs exceptionally well at both close and medium range. Even better, all of that comes at an incredibly low crafting cost, making it one of the best value weapons in ARC Raiders.

If there's one downside to the Rattler, it's the painfully long reload time. In the wrong situation, that reload can easily get you killed, so you'll need to be mindful of your ammo management during fights.

As long as you have your Gunsmith upgraded to Level 1 and a handful of basic resources, you'll be able to start crafting the Rattler right away.

The silver medal goes to the Kettle. And yes, it probably looks like this list is nothing but gray-tier weapons.

Back when ARC Raiders first launched, this light-ammo rifle was incredibly overpowered. After several balance changes and nerfs, it gradually disappeared from the spotlight. Nowadays, it's considered a solid and reliable weapon rather than a meta-defining one. That said, it can take some time to master, and it's not as immediately fun or forgiving to use as some of the other options available early on.

Still, when it comes to cost versus performance, the Kettle remains one of the best investments you can make.

Honestly, the biggest selling point of this weapon is how ridiculously cheap it is to craft. All you need is:

To absolutely no one's surprise, the undisputed champion takes the number one spot: the Stitcher.

Without a doubt, it's the best cost-to-performance weapon in all of ARC Raiders. Think of it as a smaller Bobcat that delivers incredible value at a fraction of the cost. While it may not have the same prestige as its bigger sibling, it offers outstanding performance without forcing you to burn through valuable resources.

There honestly isn't much more to say about this weapon. The Stitcher is a favorite among PvP players who want to jump into fights, have fun, and stay competitive without risking expensive gear. If you're looking for maximum efficiency and minimum investment, this is the weapon to beat.

The Stitcher's low crafting cost is one of the main reasons it's so popular:

A quick comparison of the recommended setups from this top list.