Arsenal Online – Weapons to Use and Avoid

As someone who really loves the older versions of this game, like Adversity Weapon Pack, Tactical Weapons Pack, and Tactical Weapons Pack 2, Arsenal Online is amazing because it gives players a ton of choices. But let’s be honest, even though it’s cool to customize your stuff, some weapons just work better than others. This guide is here to help you find the really good ones and avoid the not-so-great ones, so you can look good and score well.

Now, there are a lot of weapons in the game, and I won’t talk about all of them in this guide. Just because I don’t mention a weapon doesn’t mean it’s bad or you can’t do well with it. It just means there are better options out there. Even the ones I say to avoid can still be used—they’re just not the absolute best.

And hey, if you’re the type of player who just likes messing around in the Firing Range or enjoying how cool the guns look, this guide might not be for you. Your style and what you find cool are personal, and that’s totally fine. I appreciate the look and feel of guns like the Foxtrot 300BLK, Mk20 SSR, DSR1, and XM25, but I have to admit they’re kind of average and get outpaced quickly in the game’s progression.

When figuring out which weapons are the best in Arsenal Online, I considered a few key things:

• How much damage they can do in different situations. This is pretty straightforward. A weapon that can’t get kills isn’t that great, right? Even the not-so-great weapons can be used, but they might be frustrating and less efficient. Some weapons might be awesome in specific game modes or situations, but it’s usually not a good idea for a weapon to be too specialized.
• How easy they are to get or use. Weapons that are easy to use or get give a big boost to their rating. After all, not everyone knows everything or has tons of experience. On the flip side, if a weapon is super powerful but only with a very specific playstyle or trick, or it takes forever to unlock, it might not be as good as a more accessible weapon with only small differences.
• Any unique advantages in their class. Since there are only a few basic stats to play with, lots of guns in each category, and a balance between realism and fun gameplay, some weapons are very similar. Even though versatility is good, a weapon that’s just a bit better than a few others in its category can be the best choice. And then there are weapons that are totally different from their peers, making them stand out.

Now, let’s dive in! What should you get (and avoid) in Arsenal Online?

Pistols

BUY: If you’re looking for a top-notch and versatile pistol in Arsenal Online, my pick is the M2011. It boasts a massive 17-round magazine, impressive 45 damage, and minimal recoil even during rapid firing. Just be cautious—using an autoclicker or the Full Auto mod can lead to issues, and the tiny recoil, even with a Suppressor, adds up at its maximum fire rate of 3600 RPM. Another strong choice is the Colt SAA, unlocking early with damage higher than most early-game Sniper Rifles, semi-automatic fire, and a place in the secondary slot. It also counts for some weapon class challenges that might not be immediately obvious. For those seeking a different high-power option, consider the swift and potent XTEN Executive, the little sibling of the Diceros and Desert Eagle. While it may lack the raw power and penetration, it compensates with an earlier unlock, quick reloads, and lower recoil.

DON’T BUY: Although it might be tempting to replace the PMR30 quickly, the USP .45 may not offer much before the P320 surpasses it in accuracy and magazine size, followed by the MK23 outclassing it entirely. The Five-Seven has an unusually high rate of fire, but its low damage doesn’t justify it. On the flip side, the Basilisk, a revolver, has damage too low to compete seriously with other revolvers and the Desert Eagle. Its capacity and recoil are also unsuitable for effective spamming at its maximum fire rate of 900 RPM. The classic M1911 faces a similar fate as the USP .45. Despite having five extra points of damage, it quickly gets overshadowed by its modern counterpart, the M2011, which offers smoother recoil and more than double the magazine size.

Machine Pistols

BUY: The TEC-9 is surprisingly powerful, especially given its low unlock level. It serves as a versatile and easy-to-use backup for slower primary weapons like DMRs and Sniper Rifles. On the opposite side of the spectrum, the GS Magna combines the immense power of .50AE with full-auto fire, making it ideal for delivering strong burst damage against single armored targets.

DON’T BUY: Despite its high penetration, the MPX-CH struggles to stay relevant compared to the FDC-9 with its superior capacity or the Micro-Uzi with a better damage profile.

Shotguns

BUY: When it comes to crowd control, the AA12 stands tall, swiftly flattening anything at close ranges, especially with its massive 20-round drum when equipped with Extended. If you’re looking for an alternative, the earlier SCAR-12 is an excellent choice, offering slightly less magazine size, recoil, and rate of fire in exchange for more raw damage. For a more traditional shotgun experience, consider the Mossberg 590M, providing significantly better sustained DPS than other pump-action shotguns due to its notably faster reload and formidable damage profile, sparing you from relying on the Speed Loader perk.

DON’T BUY: The Saiga-12 falls short with its poor damage, quickly overshadowed by the next two shotguns unlocked: the previously-mentioned SCAR-12 and its bullpup sibling, the Saiga-12 CBRPS, boasting almost double the rate of fire. Despite a high capacity, the Expedite 12 is an M1014 upgrade that secretly falls behind other shotguns, lacking the pump-actions’ damage or the automatics’ ease of use. Additionally, reloading one shell at a time makes for a lengthy process.

Launchers

BUY: The XM25 is a solid low-level upgrade to the M203, performing well until you unlock the XM29 OICW.

DON’T BUY: The MK13 EGLM offers laughably minor improvements over the default M203, coupled with a significantly longer reload time—a significant drawback for a single-shot weapon.

SMGs

BUY: Given the low damage of SMGs, high rates of fire and large magazines are crucial for compensating in terms of DPS. The PP19 Bizon is an outstanding choice for low-level players, and it’s worth upgrading to the P90 for midgame before reaching the pinnacle with the AR57. On the other end of the spectrum is the AS VAL, featuring remarkably high damage per shot and a very high rate of fire, albeit with a small 20-round magazine.

DON’T BUY: The AUG PARA and Vector come with tiny magazines, leading to more time spent reloading than shooting. The Vaznev 9k is almost entirely outclassed by the more affordable Thompson and AKS-74u, both offering superior damage and penetration that easily compensate for their minor handling differences. The Banshee Mk9 suffers from laughably poor damage, combined with a slower rate of fire and much smaller magazines compared to other low-damage SMGs.

Assault Rifles

BUY: The most versatile assault rifle overall is probably the Galil ARM, boasting fairly average-to-good stats along with the highest magazine size among assault rifles. The VHS-2 is noteworthy for its exceptionally high rate of fire and early unlock, serving well until the endgame when a full-auto FAMAS or AN-94 could take over, maintaining burst mode for a blend of speed, damage, and accuracy. Completing the lineup is the remarkably high-damage SCAR-H, compensating more than adequately for its slow rate of fire and 20-round magazines.

DON’T BUY: Most of the assault rifles listed here are surpassed by their peers in various aspects. The SCAR-L and Banshee Mk4 are entirely inferior to the HK416, the PAR4-C offers negligible advantages over the much more accessible AUG A3, and a mere two points of damage aren’t sufficient to justify picking the AK47 over the later AK104. However, the bottom of the barrel includes the P416 NP3, M4A1, and G36C, all lacking discernible and any notable advantages compared to the readily available Foxtrot 300BLK, not to mention the earlier-mentioned Galil ARM.

DMRs

BUY: The EBR-14 stands out as the best DMR, featuring the highest damage per shot among semi-auto marksman rifles, a 20-round magazine, and a rate of fire that pushes its sustained fire accuracy limits. While a late unlock, the G3SG1 serves as an excellent substitute until then. For a more unconventional approach, consider the VSS Vintorez. Despite its low damage and penetration, making it typically unsuitable for a DMR role, adding Full Auto transforms it into a pseudo-assault rifle with a high fire rate and low recoil, cutting through targets efficiently.

DON’T BUY: Both the Recon .308 and M14 fall short compared to the earlier G3SG1. As you approach unlocking the SA58 SPR and BAS-B, it’s advisable to go for the EBR-14 instead. The SG 550 and CMMG Endeavor struggle to fill the niche of a rapid-fire DMR as effectively as the VSS Vintorez. While being the highest-damage DMR may seem like an advantage for the Lever Action X Model, the faster-reloading Marlin 1895 quickly adds up, especially when both reload one round at a time.

Sniper Rifles

BUY: The Courier MVI outshines most proper DMRs in the game, boasting a massive 30-round magazine. Although a late-game unlock, the exceptional damage of the Barrett M95 makes it the top choice for proper sniping. Until then, the fast reload of the SP-X 80 or the large magazines of the SA-B 50 make them excellent options for sniper weapons. A special mention goes to the M40A5 among early-game snipers, featuring a unique advantage with a significantly faster reload time than its peers, compensating well for its relatively weak damage per bullet.

DON’T BUY: The AX-50 is entirely inferior to the M95, just as the SP-R 208 is almost entirely inferior to the earlier DSR-1. The high recoil, small magazines, and sluggish reload of the Barrett M82, and to a lesser extent, the W2000, undermine their key selling points as semi-automatic rifles with the same damage as bolt-action rifles.

LMGs

BUY: The PKP Pecheneg might just be the single best weapon for low-level players, offering high damage, a fairly high fire rate, and a massive 100-round belt, all available before reaching level 20. The three proper LMGs with the highest rates of fire—the M249, MG36, and MG3—are all incredibly potent once players learn to control their recoil and leverage their impressive sustained DPS.

DON’T BUY: Both the AUG HBAR and RPK-12 are almost entirely inferior to the Colt LMG. The accuracy bonus of the RAPP H doesn’t justify its use over the PKP Pecheneg, which is unlocked earlier and boasts better damage and recoil. The same applies to the L86A1, which offers a minor accuracy bonus but falls short due to its tiny 30-round magazine that depletes quickly.

Super Weapons

Note: The Super Weapons are unequivocally the most powerful and hilariously broken weapons in the game. Even the worst weapons in this category will easily outclass any conventional weapon, provided you can pay for them.

BUY: The Compromise RG Railcannon stands out as one of the most powerful yet versatile weapons in the game. Both the Etowal and Annihilator Alpha are unparalleled in filling the screen with lethal projectiles, making them the go-to weapons for players aiming to reach the leaderboards.

DON’T BUY: Although relatively inexpensive and effective, the Compromise SI Magnum, Arrangement Eclipse, and Compromise RG Magnum are quite pricey for weapons that serve as little more than stepping stones towards the Railcannon. The Boltcaster’s Lance suffers from crippling overspecialization—even with insane damage and penetration, being limited to one shot with a three-second reload means you’ll likely rely on your secondary weapon in most situations, using the Boltcaster’s Lance only for emergencies, and only once given the long reload time.

Attachments

BUY: The most valuable attachments often boost DPS. In the perk slot, Speed Loader is practically essential for single-round-loaded weapons, Full Auto for many semi-automatics, and Rapid Fire for most automatics. For accurate shooters and Defender players, Hollow Points should be your go-to ammo, but FMJ can work in a pinch. Both can be enhanced further with the Booster muzzle. In a similar vein, the Buckshot and Extended attachments can be hit-or-miss; the former due to reduced accuracy offsetting the supposed damage increase, and the latter depending on how it alters each weapon’s magazine size, often more or less than the default 50%. Greed, though challenging to unlock, is incredibly helpful for players aiming to level up quickly and obtain better gear.

DON’T BUY: Unlike Tactical Weapon Pack 2, where different optics changed view range or accuracy multipliers, every optic in Arsenal Online provides the same accuracy buff. This means that all optics other than the Reflex are little more than wastes of money. Burst does little more than slow down an automatic weapon, when you could manually control bursts of automatic fire. Few weapons have enough recoil to justify the Suppressor, and those that do are better served by the Grip, Bipod, or Shock Damper rather than using the valuable Muzzle slot for something that significantly hurts your penetration stat. While Slugs may seem devastating in the stats menu, their high recoil, short range, and poor penetration mean that their intended purpose is better served by a Sniper Rifle. Speaking of roles better filled by dedicated weapons, the three underbarrel weapons—the Masterkey, Grenade Launcher, and Sniper Rifle—cannot accept attachments or be reloaded like their standalone counterparts, making them little more than gimmicks.

Conclusion

What’s your take? Are there additional overrated or underrated weapons in Arsenal Online? Any specific specialized weapons that warrant a second look, or attachment combinations that significantly alter a weapon’s performance? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to give likes, favorites, and awards if you found this information helpful!