Best Weapons Tier List

The best weapons in Once Human include AWS.338 - Bullseye, Abyss Glance, SOCR - The Last Valor, MPS7 Outer Space, DE.50 - Wildfire, and DE.50 - Jaws! Read on for a best weapons tier list, as well as the best weapons for early game.

Best Weapons Tier List

We've crunched the numbers and sifted through the Season 2 updates and the latest cradle overrides! Here’s your ultimate guide to the best weapons in Once Human! This tier list is crafted with PvE domination in mind.

SS Rank Best Weapons

Once Human Best Weapons Tier List
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Weapon	Reason
AWS.338 - Bullseye	Everyone knows the AWS.338 - Bullseye is a total game-changer, and it's not hard to see why. With a 70% chance to trigger The Bull's Eye on weakspots, it’s practically a sniper’s cheat code. Switch weapons and bam—your first shot marks the target, making you feel like a sniper deity. Stack that Weakspot DMG by 15% for 10 seconds, and boost your Attack by 15% for 20 seconds with every weakspot takedown. The marked targets will be glowing with Vulnerability, making your job a whole lot easier. If you're after a sniper rifle that turns every shot into a win, this is the one!
SOCR - The Last Valor	The SOCR - The Last Valor is the rockstar of assault rifles, blasting away with a crazy-fast rate of fire. It sports a 4% chance to trigger Shrapnel with every shot, but don’t let that low number fool you—when you’re unleashing a hailstorm of bullets, those chances can turn into a Shrapnel party in no time. Crit hits double down on the action, ramping up your Shrapnel trigger chance and giving it a spicy +30% Crit DMG boost. This weapon is all about turning your enemies into a fireworks display of explosive damage and making sure they never forget who’s boss.
MPS7 - Outer Space	The MPS7 - Outer Space is easily one of the top SMGs out there. With its rapid-fire rate, you'll be dishing out damage and triggering Power Surges like crazy. The 25% base chance to trigger Power Surge already sets a strong foundation, but things get even better. Take down an enemy, and you get a 30% boost to your Power Surge trigger factor for a solid 12 seconds. Reload, and you'll gain an extra 40% for 3 seconds. Combine this with the right calibrations and accessories, and you'll be shooting for days, keeping the Power Surges rolling. It's a true powerhouse when optimized.
DE.50 - Wildfire	The DE.50 - Wildfire absolutely dominates, especially when paired with the Old Huntsman Boots. Here’s why it’s a game-changer: it has a 60% chance to trigger The Bull's Eye with each shot, marking your target and potentially spreading that mark to nearby enemies with an 80% chance. If there’s no one else in sight, you get a hefty +25% Weapon DMG boost for 10 seconds. On top of that, hitting Weakpoints on marked enemies stacks your Attack up to 9% for 10 seconds. The real magic kicks in with the Old Huntsman Boots. Once you trigger The Bull’s Eye, your next bullet will count as a Weakspot hit, regardless of where it lands. That means you don’t have to aim for those tricky Weakspots—just hit your target and watch the damage roll in.
DE.50 - Jaws	When you pair the DE.50 - Jaws with First Round Blast and the new Series Detonation cradle overrides, you’re not just packing heat—you’re packing explosions! Unstable Bomber triggers every 4 shots, and if you're nailing those Crits, it'll go off even faster. With a juicy +30% Explosion Elemental DMG boost after hitting a Weakspot and a 25% Crit Rate for Unstable Bomber, this pistol becomes an absolute blast factory. If you love the sound of constant kabooms and want to make sure your enemies feel the heat, this is the pistol that'll keep the party popping.

The Best Weapons of Once Human

These weapons are the crème-de-la-crème, the true heavy hitters that dominate the battlefield. Whether you’re mowing down waves of enemies or taking on the game’s biggest challenges, these top-tier options deliver unmatched power and versatility. If you’re looking to flex with the best gear around, this is where the magic happens.

S Rank Best Weapons

Once Human Best Weapons Tier List
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Weapon	Reason
SOCR - Outsider	The SOCR - Outsider is a solid choice, especially when you build around Crit. With a 35% base chance to trigger Power Surge on any hit, it sets you up for some decent crowd control. The fun part is that Crit hits bump up your Power Surge chances by an extra 30% for 3 seconds, making your crits even more valuable. Plus, it adds another 30% chance to trigger Power Surge overall.
MG4 - Predator	The MG4 - Predator is a beast of an LMG, perfect for those who love shredding through enemies. With a 40% chance to trigger Fast Gunner on hits, you can boost your Fire Rate and Attack in no time. When Fast Gunner stacks hit a multiple of 5, you get a sweet 0.5s of infinite ammo, so you can unload without worry. Consecutive hits on the same target ramp up your Weapon DMG by 2% each time, stacking up to 40%—just don’t switch targets too soon! Plus, if you’ve got more than 50% of your magazine left, enjoy a hefty 40% Attack boost. For high Crit and Weakspot DMG builds, this LMG is a relentless powerhouse.
DBSG - Doombringer	The DBSG - Doombringer might have been nerfed, but it still shreds if you tweak it right. With a 30% chance to trigger The Bull's Eye that jumps to 80% at close range, it’s a force up close but struggles at a distance. To really make it shine, boost its magazine capacity. This shotgun becomes a relentless shredder with a bigger clip, but remember, you’ll need to get close to enemies to continuously mark them.
ACS12 - Corrosion	The ACS12 - Corrosion is a powerhouse, especially in PvP. With a 70% chance to unleash Power Surge on each hit, it's like having a mini-explosion party at your disposal. Power Surge not only crits with a 15% Crit Rate boost but also stacks its Crit DMG up to 10 times, turning you into a high-damage dynamo. The extra Power Surge DMG Factor makes every shot pack a punch.
AWS.338 - Black Panther	The AWS.338 - Black Panther is a standout sniper rifle that excels in both damage and support. It activates Fortress Warfare after 3 seconds of aiming, providing Heavy Armor to your team and boosting Weapon DMG. The longer you aim, the more your Attack power increases, capping at 30%. After activating Fortress Warfare, you gain 3 stacks of Brutal Mayhem, enhancing your Weakspot DMG by 25%, though this effect slightly diminishes with each shot.
DB12 - Raining Cash	The DB12 - Raining Cash is a solid pick, and here's why: With just a press of R to reload, you activate Fortress Warfare, instantly boosting your power. The longer you maintain your aim, the more your Attack ramps up, reaching a hefty +40%. Add in the 30% Crit Rate boost and the 30% Damage Reduction while in Fortress Warfare, and you’ve got a weapon that’s not just good—it’s downright formidable.
Dual Fury	The Dual Fury shotgun really heats things up if you go all-in on Crit. Every time you empty a magazine, it sets your target ablaze with a stack of Burn—score a perfect hit, and you’ll double down on the flames. After four flawless shots, you enter a fiery Burn state that cranks up your Attack and leaves enemies extra vulnerable, though it’ll cost you a bit of HP (don’t worry, it won’t drop you to zero). For Crit builds, this shotgun is pure, scorching fun.

Solid Alternatives to Top-Tier Choices

These weapons might not be the absolute best, but they’re far from second-rate. When your top-tier picks are out of reach or just not the right fit, these stellar stand-ins step up to the plate. They pack plenty of punch and handle a wide range of situations with ease, making them the trusty sidekicks you’ll want in your arsenal.

A Rank Best Weapons

Once Human Best Weapons Tier List
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Weapon	Reason
HAMR - Brahminy	The HAMR - Brahminy is decent and packs some nifty features. With an 80% chance to trigger Bounce on Weakspot hits, it’s great for spreading damage around. If Bounce doesn’t take down an enemy, your next shot gets a nice 20% Weapon DMG boost, stacking up to 5 times. Plus, Bounce prioritizes enemies with higher HP, making sure your ricochets hit the tougher foes. It’s a solid choice for turning single shots into a ripple of damage across the battlefield, especially if you’re wearing the right gear.
Recurve Crossbow	The Recurve Crossbow is a solid choice as a secondary weapon, especially if you're running a Crit Build. Hit a weakspot, and you'll apply The Bull's Eye, giving all your weapons a sweet +15% Crit Rate against that target for 10 seconds. This makes it perfect for setting up your primary weapon to dish out maximum damage.
S870 - Sandstorm	The S870 - Sandstorm is decent and can be a real MVP in PvE with its support perks. Just remember to switch weapons to kick off Fortress Warfare—think of it as your strategic move with a 20-second cooldown. When activated, you get a 10% Weapon DMG boost and create a 2m zone of Heavy Armor for your allies, making them tankier with a 20% damage boost. If you can manage the weapon swaps, this shotgun transforms into a handy team booster!
KVD - Boom! Boom!	The KVD - Boom! Boom! can light things up, but it’s a bit of a one-trick pony. It heavily relies on Burn to dish out its damage, and if you're not stacking up those Burn effects, it might fizzle out compared to other builds. While it has potential with its explosive Burn interactions, other setups can easily outpace it in terms of raw damage. If you’re looking to set things ablaze and watch the fireworks, it’s great—but don’t expect it to be the hottest pick unless you’ve got the right gear to make it shine.
DB12 - Backfire	The DB12 - Backfire can chill your enemies, but it might not be the top choice for a shotgun. With a cooldown of 5 shots to trigger Frost Vortex, it’s a bit slow on the draw. Once activated, it can freeze enemies for 3 seconds while in the vortex, making them more vulnerable to damage, but the time between activations can be a drawback. The added bonus of increased damage against Frozen foes is nice, but the overall pace and reliance on Frost Vortex to deliver its full potential mean it might not always keep up with faster-paced weapons.
MG4 - Mr. Squid	The MG4 - Mr. Squid is decent for crit builds, mainly to trigger the Bounce effect. However, its potential hinges on landing crits—no crits, no Bounce, making the weapon feel lackluster. On the bright side, with the right setup, like Bounce Rampage and Deadly Combo cradle overrides, this squid can definitely ink out some serious damage.
SN700 - Gulped Lore	The SN700 - Gulped Lore is alright, especially if you’re good at hitting weakspots. You’ll need to land those precise shots to trigger Unstable Bomber, which has an 80% chance on weakspot hits. The more you stack Weakspot DMG, the stronger the Unstable Bomber gets, and it’s guaranteed to deal Crit DMG. While it’s not the most powerful out of the box, with the right focus on weakspots, it can shred your enemies.
MPS5 - Kumawink	The MPS5 - Kumawink SMG is decent, but it could use a bit more firepower. With a 25% chance to trigger Bounce and a +60% boost on weakspot hits, it has its moments. The 50% increase to Bounce Base DMG helps, but it doesn’t always hit hard enough to shine. While it can get the job done, it’s not the most powerful option out there.
KV-SBR - Little Jaws	The KV-SBR - Little Jaws is okay as an SMG. It requires 15 bullets to trigger Unstable Bomber, which means it takes a bit of sustained fire to get to the good stuff. While the Unstable Bomber blast is powerful, the bullets themselves don’t pack much of a punch. Plus, it’s most effective at close range, limiting its versatility. If you can handle the close-quarters combat and manage to hit those 15 shots, the Unstable Bomber’s blast can deliver some solid damage.
KAM - Crank	The KAM - Crank is okay at best. You need to hit enemies 7 times to trigger Burn, which can feel like a slog. While it does offer some perks, like increased Reload Speed and Burn DMG upon killing enemies with Burn, these benefits come into play only after a fair amount of effort. With the right mods and overrides, it can become a decent assault rifle, but its reliance on hitting enemies repeatedly to trigger its core effect might make it a bit of a grind for some players.
R500 - Memento	The R500 - Memento isn't all that great unless you’re fully committed to a Crit build. While it has a decent 36% chance to trigger Fast Gunner, that chance only doubles on weakspot hits, which can be tricky. Fast Gunner reloads 1 bullet to your magazine when triggered, but each shot also has a 40% chance to consume an extra bullet, which can be a hassle. The upside? If that extra bullet is consumed, you get an Attack boost of +80%, but it's a gamble.
KAM - Abyss Glance	The KAM - Abyss Glance is a bit of a mixed bag. It takes a hefty 20 hits to trigger Frost Vortex. The real kicker is that its effectiveness heavily depends on Polar Jelly Deviation to boost its DPS. Once the Deviant's energy depletes, you’re left waiting a full minute for it to recharge, which can seriously dampen your firepower. Despite its impressive Frost Vortex damage and the potential for high damage output if enemies stay close to the vortex’s center, its reliance on an external boost is a bit of a rollercoaster. Still, it can obliterate bosses!

Middle-of-the-Road Mayhem

These weapons are decent enough but won’t make you feel like a powerhouse. While they can get the job done, they lack the punch, versatility, or flair of the top-tier options. They’re solid backups if you’re in a pinch, but don’t expect them to steal the spotlight.

B Rank Best Weapons

Once Human Best Weapons Tier List
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Weapon	Reason
R500 - Hammerhead Shark	The R500 - Hammerhead Shark can be a bit tricky. Hitting weakspots with a pistol is no walk in the park, and while it has an 80% chance to trigger Power Surge on a weakspot hit, its overall damage output is lacking. Even though Power Surge spreads 100% Psi Intensity Shock DMG to nearby enemies and refills ammo with every 4 Shock DMG dealt, the weapon still falls short in raw damage. It’s a high-risk option with less payoff than you'd hope for.
G17 - Dusty	The G17 - Dusty is a bit of a middle-of-the-road choice. Its 55% chance to trigger Shrapnel on weak spots is not that impressive, but unlike some other weapons, Shrapnel here doesn’t ignore already hit parts, which boosts its effectiveness. Plus, the 15% bonus to Weakspot DMG gives it a nice edge. While it might not be the flashiest option out there, if you're good at hitting weak spots, the 17 - Dusty can be a somewhat decent choice
MPS7 - Div-Evo	The MPS7 - Div-Evo struggles to stand out due to its low base chance to trigger Shrapnel at 25%. Even with the 80% increase from defeats, it only bumps the chance up to 45%, which can be underwhelming. The additional benefit of hitting weak spots to add Shrapnel target parts +1 for 4 seconds doesn't pack much punch, and the lack of damage bonuses makes it a bit of a letdown for an SMG. Overall, its damage potential feels muted compared to other options.
Compound Bow	The Compound Bow can feel like a bit of a letdown in the sniper world. With only one bolt per shot and a slow reload time, it often feels like it’s taking a step back when compared to other high-performance weapons. Even though hitting a weak spot gives you a 40% chance to reload a bolt automatically, that’s a gamble you can’t always count on. Plus, while it does get some nifty bonuses like increased Crit Rate and Reload Speed, and enhanced Unstable Bomber, these perks don’t quite make up for its single-shot nature. In a field full of high-flying contenders, the bow can seem like a slowpoke that’s not quite keeping up. At least you don’t need Acid for ammunition.
R500 - Hunter	The R500 - Hunter shines in the early game with its Impact perk, which boosts damage against Protocell enemies such as Meta-Humans, Rosette, Vultures, and Zombies—but it doesn't provide any advantage against Deviants. However, despite its usefulness at the start, it falls short in the endgame, where more powerful weapons quickly outclass it.
MG4 - Wrath of Hades	The MG4 - Wrath of Hades offers a 40% chance to trigger Fast Gunner, which sounds promising, but the benefits fall short. Fast Gunner refills a bullet to your secondary weapon instead of the primary, which means your main gun doesn’t directly benefit from it unless you have a standout secondary weapon. This setup makes the weapon feel less impactful in the primary slot, especially since it lacks any direct damage boosts for itself.
ACS12 - Netherworld	The ACS12 - Netherworld is a bit of a sad choice. It relies on all projectiles hitting the target to have a 50% chance of triggering Fast Gunner, which can be tricky to achieve consistently. Even if you manage to trigger Fast Gunner twice, the reward is just a single shot that consumes an extra bullet to fire five more projectiles.
HAMR - Crumble	The HAMR - Crumble sniper rifle is a bit of a damp squib. With only a 10% Burn DMG, it feels more like a candlelight flicker than a raging blaze. Even though it has a 60% chance to trigger Burn on weak spot hits, the burn damage is quite minimal. It builds up over time with stacks, but the base damage is so low that it doesn’t really set the battlefield ablaze.

The Underwhelmers

These weapons might get the job done, but they’re far from the star players. They’re a bit lackluster compared to the top-tier options, so if you’re wielding one of these, keep your eyes peeled for something better.

Best Early Game Weapons Tier List

SS Rank Best Early Game Weapons

Once Human Best Early Game Weapons Tier List
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Weapon	Reason
SN700	Single-target, but compensates with a long range and great early-game damage
Baseball Bat	Good damage with no need for ammo, also has a unique effect that reduces enemy damage dealt

Strong Early Game Weapons to Get Started

These weapons are among the best for starting out and progressing through Once Human's early game.

They can deal good damage, and have benefits outside of just damage, such as long-range capabilities or no ammo consumption.

S Rank Best Early Game Weapons

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Weapon	Reason
DE.50	Can be relied on in many different situations due to its consistency and decent stats across the board
Torch	Deals less flat damage than the Baseball Bat, but retains the melee benefits plus a chance to inflict Burn
MPS7	Balanced fire rate, damage, and magazine size; a reliable secondary weapon at close to mid-range

Great Alternatives to the SS Rank Weapons

These weapons aren't as powerful as those in the tier above, but are still well worth using and can certainly help the player overcome obstacles in their way.

A Rank Best Early Game Weapons

Once Human Best Early Game Weapons Tier List
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Weapon	Reason
MG4	High fire rate and ammunition capacity, but can take a while to reload when spent
KAM	Good fire rate with decent damage and mag size, but has higher recoil that can mess with long-range fights
Old Huntsman	Powerful up-close with an effect that boosts its damage, but needs constant reloads and is short-ranged

Good Weapons With Some Drawbacks

Weapons in this tier are still good for fighting through Once Human's early game, but come with some downsides that the player should be aware of when opting to use them.

B Rank Best Early Game Weapons

Once Human Best Early Game Weapons Tier List
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Weapon	Reason
Rustic Crossbow	Can do good damage and is silent, but is also slow, single target, and has a magazine of one
DBSG	Carries the same pros and cons as the Old Huntsman, but has no unique effect that boosts damage

Weapons Held Back By Limitations

Weapons in this tier can perform decently, but are held back by lacking in certain areas, or not having any other effects to warrant their use despite their stats.

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