Putting together a high-damage build in ARC Raiders isn't as straightforward as just picking up a gun with the biggest base numbers. A key mechanic to keep in mind is that upgrading your weapons in this game doesn't actually increase their raw, per-shot damage. Instead, leveling up your gear boosts fire rate, durability, or handling.

Because of this, maximizing your DPS comes down to choosing the right tool for the specific job and locking down the best attachment combinations. To truly optimize your output, you need to split your loadout strategically between specialized, heavy-hitting PvE weapons meant for mechanical ARC threats, and high-burst PvP options designed to delete rival raiders before they can react.

Top Weapons for Maximum PvE Damage

When you are dealing with massive robotic targets, you need weapons that can strip armor, crack open hard shells, or chunk health bars from a distance. These are the absolute best tools for taking down the machine threat:

• Jupiter Sniper Rifle: The absolute king of long-range, high-damage anti-ARC combat. It utilizes a heavy ammo charge-up mechanic that completely chunks high-level threats like Bastions and Vaporizers from total safety. If you want massive single-shot burst against weak points, this is your go-to option.

• Hullcracker Grenade Launcher: A dedicated PvE launcher that fires high-damage explosives in an arc pattern. It handles heavy, slow-moving targets like Bastions and the Matriarch faster than almost anything else in the arsenal. Just remember: it does zero damage to other players, so never rely on it in a rogue firefight.

• Equalizer: Exceptional for big, chaotic ARC fights like facing down the Queen. It is completely unmatched when it comes to stripping heavy armor plates off legs and limbs quickly, allowing your squad to expose and exploit critical weak points.

• Bettina: A massive high-DPS option specifically effective against exposed ARC cores. The catch is that it's a total ammo hog. If you plan on running the Bettina for your damage phases, make sure you bring at least 300 to 480 rounds to sustain your fire.

Top Weapons for Burst PvP Damage

Rival players are fast, unpredictable, and heavily shielded. In player-versus-player engagements, sustained damage takes a backseat to quick, overwhelming burst damage that can end a fight before the enemy can heal or reposition:

• Anvil: A hard-hitting, single-action medium ammo hand cannon that sits right at the top of the current meta. It heavily rewards precise accuracy, dealing massive chunk damage that can crack an enemy player's shields in just a few well-placed mid-range shots.

• Venator: A unique twin-shot hand cannon that fires two medium ammo bullets simultaneously for the cost of just one. Pushing this weapon to Level IV is mandatory to unlock its maximum burst-damage potential, making it a terrifying tool in hot zones.

• Vulcano & Torrente: These two are elite close-quarters takedown weapons. The Vulcano shotgun delivers unmatched initial burst damage to delete a single target instantly, while the fully automatic Torrente is a reliable choice for clearing out multiple aggressive players at close range.

• Renegade: A high-tier, incredibly reliable assault rifle favored by many experienced players. It offers high player damage, flexible effective range, and controllable recoil that lets you score consistent hits rather than relying on panic spraying.

Sustained High-DPS Budget Weapons

You won't always have the resources to run the rarest or most expensive gear. When you need to save on materials but still want to hold your own, these budget-friendly weapons offer incredible value and scale beautifully:

• Stitcher: A common light-ammo SMG that drastically outperforms its low cost. Once you upgrade it to Level IV and slap on a vertical recoil mod, it turns into an absolute laser with a ferocious fire rate, making it a safe, cheap, and lethal PvP threat.

• Kettle: A highly efficient budget option with very low crafting requirements. It is cheap to produce early on but scales exceptionally well into the later ranks, giving you great returns on investment when you're focusing on rebuilding your bankroll.