Looking for the best weapons in RimWorld? Here's a practical tier guide for the current 1.6 / Odyssey version.
Weapon Tier Overview
| Tier | Weapons | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| S | Charge rifle, sniper rifle, monosword | End-game shooting and melee |
| A | Assault rifle, heavy SMG, plasma sword | Mainline combat mid-to-late game |
| B | SMG, revolver, recurve bow | Early game and defensive shooting |
| C | Pistol, knife, short bow | Emergency / hunting only |
When to Use What
- Charge rifle: the all-rounder — great damage, good range, high armor piercing.
- Sniper rifle: pick off raiders and mechanoid turrets from range.
- Heavy SMG: close-range shredder for kill boxes.
- Monosword / plasma sword: for your melee specialist — pair with shield belt.
- EMP: always carry one against mechanoids.
Weapon FAQ
Is the charge rifle the best gun?
For general use, yes — best damage-to-accuracy balance in the game. Snipers beat it at extreme range.
Do quality tiers matter more than weapon type?
Often yes — a masterwork SMG can outperform a normal assault rifle. Upgrade quality before swapping weapons.
Compare exact numbers with the Weapon DPS Calculator and Damage Calculator.