Fortnite Weapon Tier List
Updated · Patch Chapter 6 Season 2 - v34.20
As of (Chapter 6 Season 2 - v34.20), the best weapons in Fortnite are Havoc SMG and Hyper SMG. These S-tier picks dominate the current meta with the highest damage output and fastest time-to-kill in their respective categories. The Havoc SMG leads at 294 DPS with 14 shots per second, excelling in mid-range fights where sustained fire melts through opponents. The Hyper SMG pushes even harder at close range, firing 20 shots per second for 280 DPS, making it the most aggressive closer in the loot pool.
A-tier weapons are reliable carry options that reward players who prioritize accuracy, including the legendary SCAR AR at 5.5 fire rate, the over-under shotgun for burst burst burst burst damage, the bolt-action sniper for 116-damage precision shots, and the rocket launcher for structure destruction. B-tier slots cover specialists and situational weapons. C-tier weapons are functional floor loot that quickly become liabilities once rarer alternatives appear. Vaulted weapons are listed separately on their detail pages with honest last-available season framing.
Each weapon card below links to its detail page with full stats, derived time-to-kill at 200 effective HP, magazine size, reload time, and DPS. The tier list is reviewed each patch and advances the sitemap lastmod only when the editorial data changes.
S Tier — Must Pick
A Tier — Strong
- Assault Rifle (SCAR)Legendary
Legendary SCAR combines 36 damage per shot with 5.5 fire rate, delivering reliable accuracy and stopping power.
- Over-Under ShotgunRare
Over-Under deals 104 damage per shell, rewarding players who land both barrels for near-elimination output.
- Bolt-Action Sniper RifleRare
116 damage per shot gives two-body-shot elimination potential against fully shielded opponents at any range.
- Rocket LauncherEpic
121 splash damage per rocket punishes turtling and instantly destroys opponent builds on contact.
B Tier — Solid
- Heavy Assault RifleRare
Heavy AR hits 44 damage per shot at 4.2 fire rate, giving it solid stopping power in mid-range duels.
- Striker Burst RifleEpic
Three-round burst outputs 222 DPS and rewards precise aim, though burst delay punishes missed windows.
- Combat ShotgunRare
Combat Shotgun fires 1.5 times per second with 73 damage, balancing consistent DPS and a 10-round mag.
- Semi-Auto Sniper RifleEpic
Ten-round mag allows quick follow-up shots but 80 damage per hit demands two body shots to eliminate.
- Hand CannonEpic
75 damage per shot with pistol portability makes the Hand Cannon a strong secondary for late-game builds.
- Flint-Knock PistolUncommon
110 damage knock-back pistol rewards skilled aim and repositioning, punishing stationary opponents hard.
- Grenade LauncherRare
100 splash damage per grenade excels at area denial and build destruction when paired with a closer weapon.
C Tier — Situational
- Burst Assault RifleRare
Burst AR posts 247 DPS but the burst delay gives opponents recovery windows between volleys at range.
- Submachine GunCommon
Common Submachine Gun at 247 DPS is a reliable early pickup but quickly outclassed by rarer alternatives.
- Rapid Fire SMGRare
15 shots per second provides sustained pressure but 17 damage per bullet demands near-perfect accuracy.
- Striker SMGUncommon
Striker SMG offers 234 DPS at 13 fire rate, serving as a serviceable budget option before floor loot upgrades.
- Pump ShotgunUncommon
Pump Shotgun hits 95 per shell but 0.7 fire rate and a 5-round mag punish every missed close-range shot.
- Tactical ShotgunUncommon
Tactical Shotgun posts only 88 DPS with a wide spread, leaving it behind newer shotgun options in the meta.
- Automatic Sniper RifleRare
Automatic Sniper fires at 1.8 per second but 70 damage cannot one-shot, requiring disciplined follow-ups.
- RevolverCommon
Revolver offers 63 damage across six shots but is outgunned by nearly every primary weapon in the slot.
- MinigunEpic
Minigun delivers 216 DPS and relentless suppression for build destruction but requires a dedicated carry slot.
- Recon Scout RifleRare
Recon Scout fills the marksman niche at 55 damage and 165 DPS but competes with stronger AR alternatives.
D Tier — Avoid
Looking for controller sensitivity and keybind setups used by top players? Browse pro player settings to find the loadouts and input configs that pair with these weapons.