forsaken Weapons Tier List

Introduction

Survival in the post-apocalyptic world of Forsaken demands more than just quick reflexes—you need the right weapons. This tier list evaluates every firearm and melee tool in the game, ranking them from S-tier (must-have) to D-tier (avoid). Our rankings are based on damage output, handling (reload speed, accuracy, recoil), range, versatility, and situational performance against hordes and bosses. Whether you’re a newcomer or a veteran, this guide will help you choose the best loadout to dominate the wasteland.

Tier Definitions

We classify weapons into five tiers:

• **S-Tier**: The absolute best. These weapons excel in nearly every situation, offering exceptional damage, ease of use, or utility. Bring them if you can.
• **A-Tier**: Very strong picks. They have minor drawbacks but are highly effective and reliable.
• **B-Tier**: Solid options. Viable in many scenarios but outclassed by higher tiers in raw power or versatility.
• **C-Tier**: Niche weapons. They shine in specific situations but generally underperform.
• **D-Tier**: Underwhelming. Avoid unless you have no alternatives.

Ranged Weapons

S-Tier

#### Assault Rifle (AK-47)

• Damage: 35 per shot
• Fire Rate: 600 RPM
• Magazine: 30 rounds
• Reload: 2.5 seconds
• Handling: Moderate recoil, good accuracy

The Assault Rifle is the king of mid-range combat. Its high damage and respectable fire rate allow you to mow down waves of zombies quickly. Headshots deal critical damage, and with attachments like a red dot sight and extended magazine, it becomes a headshot machine. The only downside is its recoil, which can be controlled with short bursts. In boss fights, the Assault Rifle consistently delivers high DPS, making it the go-to weapon for experienced players. Always carry one if you can find it.

#### Pump Shotgun

• Damage: 80 per shot (8 pellets)
• Fire Rate: 60 RPM
• Magazine: 6 shells
• Reload: 1.2 seconds per shell
• Handling: High spread, devastating up close

The Pump Shotgun is unmatched in close-quarters zombie annihilation. One well-placed blast can obliterate multiple enemies at point-blank range. It’s especially effective against swarms in tight corridors. The slow fire rate and shell-by-shell reload demand careful positioning, but the sheer stopping power makes it S-tier. Pair it with a fast-firing secondary for ranged threats. If you’re entering a building, this is your best friend.

A-Tier

#### SMG (Uzi)

• Damage: 18 per shot
• Fire Rate: 900 RPM
• Magazine: 25 rounds
• Reload: 1.8 seconds
• Handling: High recoil, moderate spread

The SMG sacrifices per-shot damage for an insane fire rate, melting zombies at close to medium range. Its recoil can be wild, so spraying isn’t always effective. Tap-firing at longer enemies conserves ammo. The 25-round magazine runs dry quickly, but fast reloads help. It’s an excellent secondary weapon for cleaning up stragglers or dealing with fast-moving enemies like Runners.

#### Sniper Rifle

• Damage: 120 per shot
• Fire Rate: 30 RPM
• Magazine: 5 rounds
• Reload: 3 seconds
• Handling: High accuracy, bolt-action delay

For players who prefer to pick off threats from a distance, the Sniper Rifle is unmatched. A single headshot can down most special zombies. However, the slow rate of fire and small magazine make it punishing if you miss. It’s best used in open areas with long sightlines, not in close-quarters. In team play, a dedicated sniper can thin out hordes before they reach the group.

B-Tier

#### Pistol (M1911)

• Damage: 25 per shot
• Fire Rate: 300 RPM
• Magazine: 8 rounds
• Reload: 2 seconds
• Handling: Low recoil, good accuracy

The starting pistol is reliable and ammo-efficient. You’ll rely on it early game, and it remains a solid sidearm once you find better primaries. Its headshot damage is respectable, and the low recoil allows for quick follow-up shots. The small magazine is a drawback, but easy-to-find ammo makes it forgiving. It’s not flashy, but it gets the job done.

#### Revolver

• Damage: 50 per shot
• Fire Rate: 120 RPM
• Magazine: 6 rounds
• Reload: 2.5 seconds
• Handling: High recoil, pin-point accurate

The Revolver packs a heavy punch but fires slowly. It’s a pocket sniper for medium range. Headshots are lethal, and body shots still stagger most enemies. The long reload and limited capacity mean you can’t spam it. Skilled players can use it to great effect, but it’s outclassed by the Assault Rifle in sustained combat. Worth picking up if you prefer precision.

C-Tier

#### Bolt-Action Hunting Rifle

• Damage: 100 per shot
• Fire Rate: 20 RPM
• Magazine: 4 rounds
• Reload: 3.5 seconds
• Handling: Very slow, high bullet drop

This scavenger weapon is a poor man’s Sniper. It hits hard but operates slowly and has noticeable bullet drop at range. It’s viable only in early gameplay when you haven’t found better options. The iron sights obstruct vision, making headshots difficult. Once you acquire a real Sniper Rifle, ditch this immediately.

#### Double-Barrel Shotgun

• Damage: 150 per shot (2 shells)
• Fire Rate: Single blast, then reload
• Magazine: 2 shells
• Reload: 2 seconds (both shells)
• Handling: Extreme spread, devastating one-shot

The double-barrel is a one-trick pony: two thunderous shots and then a long reload. It can obliterate anything at close range, but the downtime leaves you vulnerable. It’s fun for risky plays or clearing a small room, but the Pump Shotgun’s sustainability makes it far superior. Only pick this up for memes.

D-Tier

#### Pipe Pistol (Improvised)

• Damage: 12 per shot
• Fire Rate: 200 RPM
• Magazine: 6 rounds
• Reload: 3 seconds
• Handling: Jams randomly, terrible accuracy

A last-resort crafted weapon. The Pipe Pistol is unreliable, weak, and slow. You’ll craft it only if you’re desperate and have no other gun. The jamming mechanic can cost you dearly in a fight. Avoid unless you enjoy suffering.

Melee Weapons

S-Tier

#### Chainsaw

• Damage: 40 per tick (continuous)
• Speed: Fast continuous
• Fuel: 30 seconds of use
• Handling: Heavy, limited fuel

The Chainsaw is the ultimate melee weapon for crowd control. It shreds through groups of zombies like butter, staggering them and dealing massive damage over time. The fuel limitation is its only downside, but fuel can be found or crafted. In holdout situations, nothing clears a path faster. It’s S-tier for melee enthusiasts.

A-Tier

#### Baseball Bat

• Damage: 45 per swing
• Speed: Moderate
• Range: Good
• Special: Knockback

The Bat is a reliable melee weapon with excellent reach and knockback. It can keep zombies at bay while you reposition. The swing speed is decent, and it doesn’t require fuel or ammo. Pair it with a ranged weapon for a balanced loadout. It’s especially good for conserving ammo early game.

#### Combat Knife

• Damage: 30 per swing
• Speed: Very fast
• Range: Short
• Special: Bleed effect

The Combat Knife attacks rapidly, making it perfect for dispatching individual zombies quietly. The bleed damage over time can finish off weakened enemies. Its short range is a risk, but skilled players can weave in and out of attacks. It’s a top choice for silent runs.

B-Tier

#### Machete

• Damage: 50 per swing
• Speed: Slow
• Range: Medium
• Special: Limb dismemberment

The Machete hits hard and can sever limbs, temporarily crippling certain enemies. The slow swing speed leaves you exposed, so timing is crucial. It’s a fun weapon but feels sluggish compared to the Bat. Use it if you enjoy heavy-hitting melee.

#### Crowbar

• Damage: 35 per swing
• Speed: Moderate
• Range: Medium
• Special: Door opening

The Crowbar is a versatile tool. Its damage is decent, and it can pry open boarded doors without wasting lockpicks. In a pinch, it’s a okay weapon, but its combat stats are outshined by dedicated melee options. Keep one in your inventory for utility.

C-Tier

#### Frying Pan

• Damage: 20 per swing
• Speed: Fast
• Range: Short
• Special: None

The Frying Pan is a meme weapon. You’ll occasionally find it in kitchens. It swings fast but deals puny damage. It’s hilarious to use but ineffective against anything tougher than a basic zombie. Only pick it up for the laughs.

#### Makeshift Shiv

• Damage: 15 per swing
• Speed: Fast
• Range: Very short
• Special: Can break

A crafted shiv from broken glass. It’s prone to breaking after a few uses. Desperate times call for desperate measures, but you’re better off using your fists until you find a real weapon.

D-Tier

#### Fists

• Damage: 5 per punch
• Speed: Very fast
• Range: Very short
• Special: None

Punching zombies is a last resort. The damage is negligible, and you’ll likely get overwhelmed. Only use fists if you have absolutely nothing else.

How to Obtain Top-Tier Weapons

S and A-tier weapons are often found in high-risk areas like military bases, police stations, and underground bunkers. Assault Rifles and Shotguns spawn in locked crates requiring a key or lockpick. Chainsaws may be found in hardware stores or garages. Completing challenging quests or defeating mini-bosses can also reward you with rare weapons. Check our [Progression Guide](/guides/progression-guide) for a detailed walkthrough on acquiring the best gear.

Weapon Modifications and Attachments

Attachments can elevate a B-tier weapon to A-tier. Always prioritize:

• **Extended Magazines**: More rounds before reloading—crucial for high-capacity guns.
• **Suppressors**: Reduce noise, preventing extra zombie aggro.
• **Scopes**: Improve accuracy for rifles and sniper rifles.
• **Hardened Actions**: Reduce jamming chance on improvised weapons.

You can craft basic mods at workbenches using scrap metal and gun parts. For advanced attachments, trade with the Wandering Merchant NPC who occasionally visits safe zones.

Situational Weapon Choices

While the tier list provides a general ranking, some weapons perform better in specific situations:

• **Horde Defense**: Shotguns and the Chainsaw are unparalleled.
• **Boss Fights**: High-DPS guns like the Assault Rifle shine. The Sniper can be useful for hitting weak points.
• **Stealth Missions**: The Combat Knife and Suppressed Pistol allow quiet takedowns.
• **Resource Runs**: Bring a Crowbar for utility and a Bat for defense—save ammo.

Adapt your loadout to the mission. Don’t blindly follow the tier list; consider what you’ll face.

Advanced Tips for Weapon Mastery

1. **Aim for the head**: Headshots deal double damage on all weapons. Practice your aim on shambling zombies before tackling fast Runners. 2. **Use the environment**: Lead zombies into choke points where shotguns and melee weapons excel. 3. **Ammo conservation**: Carry a melee weapon to finish off lone enemies, saving precious bullets for emergencies. 4. **Swap weapons quickly**: Assign your primary and secondary to easy-to-reach hotkeys. 5. **Maintain your gear**: Repair melee weapons at workbenches and clean guns to prevent degradation. 6. **Experiment with loadouts**: Sometimes an unorthodox combination (e.g., Revolver + Machete) can be surprisingly effective. 7. **Learn enemy patterns**: Special zombies like Spitters and Tanks have unique weaknesses—use the right weapon to exploit them.

Community Tier List and Meta Changes

The Forsaken meta evolves with each update. Weapons may be buffed or nerfed, so our tier list will be updated regularly. Join the player community on Discord and Reddit to share your own tier rankings and strategies. We also recommend checking the [Updates Guide](/guides/updates-guide) for the latest patch notes.

Conclusion

Mastering the weaponry of Forsaken is a journey. This tier list gives you a strong foundation, but personal preference and playstyle matter too. Practice with different guns and melee options to find your favorites. Remember, even a D-tier weapon in the right hands can outperform an S-tier in the wrong ones. Stay sharp, scavenge wisely, and keep fighting.

For more advanced tips, visit our [Tips & Tricks Guide](/guides/tips-tricks) and [Boss Strategies Guide](/guides/boss-strategies). Good luck, survivor.