PUBG meta has changed over the years drastically, but come to think of it, the weapons have mainly stayed the same, or have they?
In this in-depth PUBG weapons guide, we’ll visit each class and pick the best two choices. The weapons that I will recommend are balanced between power and control. Like all things, take this weapons guide with a grain of salt, things are subjective when it comes to playstyles, especially in PUBG. Here are the rules I will be applying for picking the best PUBG weapons in each class:
- Weapons that are present across all maps.
- No create weapons, that will have their separate category.
- There will be a bonus “Honourable mention” section for each class, where I will put in my 3rd option.
With that out of the way, let’s go shopping!
Best Melee in PUBG
Winners: Pan and Crowbar
Generally speaking, I would go with the Pan because of its protective shield when getting shot in the back. Otherwise, all melee weapons in PUBG have the same damage, Pan, Machete, Sickle, and the Crowbar.
Speaking of Gordon Freeman’s favourite weapon, the Crowbar is my secondary pick because of its usability on the new Vikendi map. When having it equipped, you can get into a ton of secret rooms and areas, make sure to check my Vikendi Reborn map guide for more.
Honourable mention: Sickle – For all true Battle Royale fans…
Melee tier list
| Weapon | Damage |
| Pan | 80 |
| Crowbar | 60 |
| Machete | 60 |
| Sickle | 60 |
Best Pistol in PUBG
Winners: R1895 and Scorpion
Currently, in terms of damage, the most powerful handgun in the game is the Revolver (R1895). Although, the small magazine size of 7 rounds will make you count your shots and be careful where you point them. While driving a vehicle, shooting your targets with so few bullets to spare will be harder.
That’s where the Scorpion comes into play, a superb weapon for people who like a good drive-by. With an extended mag and a Folding stock, this can rival several primary weapons and even match the mighty Micro Uzzi in a close-range battle.
Honourable mention: Deagle – The .45 ACP handgun deals the second most damage in its class. Apart from that, it’s just a classic side weapon to use, especially for CS fans.
Handgun tier list
| Weapon | Damage |
| R45 | 65 |
| R1895 | 64 |
| Deagle | 62 |
| P1911 | 42 |
| P92 | 34 |
| P16C | 23 |
| Skorpion | 22 |
Best Shotgun in PUBG
Winners: DBS and S686 (Double Barrel)
The winner of the best shotgun in PUBG goes to the DBS without any discussion. The ex-crate weapon holds a high number of rounds and deals a ton of damage per buckshot. This is mostly used at the beginning of the game but can do miracles towards the end of the game, especially on smaller maps like Karakin or Sanhok.
Do you want more bang for your buck? Well, the Double Barrel shotgun in PUBG, also known as the S686, is the most powerful shotgun at point blank. Just make sure you don’t miss your shots, you’ll just have two. Afterwards, it’s reloading time, which can send you back to the lobby if your target was not hit at close range. A very good weapon but a hard one to perfect.
Honourable mention: S1897 (Pump Action) – A good alternative to the double barrel, this pump action shotgun has a few shots to miss, but also a smaller damage per buckshot.
Shotgun tier list
| Weapon | Damage |
| O12 | 100 |
| DBS | 26 |
| S1897 | 26 |
| S686 | 26 |
| S12K | 24 |
| Sawed-Off | 21 |
Best SMG in PUBG
Winners: UMP and Vector
The UMP is a literal laser when it comes to recoil control. If you can hold its mostly vertical recoil pattern, the UMP will knock or kill its target in a matter of milliseconds. The UMP is also very versatile and doesn’t need too many attachments to work best, you just need a good grip and you’re set to go!
If you want something with a faster fire rate, you’ll want to get the Vector. While a bit harder to control, the vector is a weapon that can match even some ARs if you’re patient and equip all of its attachments. A Tactical Stock or Heavy Stock and a good grip would be preferable for better handling control as well as an Extended Mag because of its high rate of fire and low ammo in its normal magazine.
Honourable mention: MP5K – Another stellar choice for an SMG but spawned only on select maps like Karakin, Vikendi, Taego, and in some locations on Deston.
SMG tier list
| Weapon | Damage |
| UMP45 | 41 |
| Tommy Gun | 40 |
| PP-19 Bizon | 36 |
| P90 | 35 |
| MP5K | 33 |
| MP9 | 31 |
| Vector | 31 |
| Micro Uzzi | 26 |
Best AR in PUBG
Winners: M416 and Beryl M762
The best assault rifle in PUBG has been a huge debate since the game’s inception. But one thing remains for sure, the M416 is the most used AR in the game hands down. Its high bullet damage (although the damage suffered some small nerfs in past updates) and high rate of fire makes the M416 the go-to weapon of PUBG pro players like TGLTN.
If you’re not afraid of pulling your mouse across your table, then the Beryl M762 is for you. This 7.62mm calibre assault rifle is the most powerful AR in terms of damage per second (excluding crate weapons, of course). While on the Beryl page, I just wanted to say that this is my go-to AR in the game since its introduction on Vikendi.
Honourable mention: AUG A3 – Since the glorious AUG has been moved from the crate to normal spawn loot, the Austrian assault rifle is one of the best you can currently use in PUBG.
AR tier list
| Weapon | Damage |
| Mk47 Mutant | 49 |
| AKM | 47 |
| Groza | 47 |
| Beryl M762 | 44 |
| ACE32 | 43 |
| M16A4 | 43 |
| QBZ | 42 |
| SCAR-L | 42 |
| AUG | 41 |
| G36C | 41 |
| K2 | 41 |
| M416 | 40 |
| FAMAS | 39 |
Best DMR in PUBG
Winners: Mini14 and SLR
DMR, or designated marksman rifle, is your go-to weapon if you’re into semi-automatic sniping. The best DMR in PUBG has been for a long time the Mini14 because of its maneuverability and high damage. The Mini 14 is also a versatile weapon with just two attachment options, a compensator, and an extended mag. If you manage to get your hands on a compensator then it’s Lobby Town for your enemies…
If you want an alternative to the Mini14 with 7.62mm ammunition, then the SLR is the perfect pick. With incredible damage per bullet and somewhat versatility, this semi-automatic sniper will cause havoc on the server if you’re not afraid of vertical recoil control. Word of advice, find a Cheekpad for your SLR, always!
Honourable mention: Mk12 – This 5.56mm calibre DMR has been buffed a lot in recent patches, making it a fan favourite in recent PUBG meta.
DMR tier list
| Weapon | Damage |
| Mk14 | 61 |
| Dragunov | 60 |
| SLR | 56 |
| SKS | 53 |
| Mk12 | 50 |
| Mini14 | 48 |
| QBU | 48 |
| VSS | 43 |
Best Sniper in PUBG
Winners: Kar98 and M24
While not a lot of snipers to choose from, the Kar98 deals the highest damage per bullet from the SR (sniper rifle) class. To be fair, you could also count the Mosin Nagant, which is a 1:1 replica of the Kar98. Why did they add this weapon? For variety, I guess (and it also sounds cooler in my opinion).
The M24 is a perfect sniper for more modern players who wish to reload the entire clip and not bullet by bullet. This saves up some time but adds just a little bit of damage reduction. Not a huge amount though, the Sniper Rifle class in PUBG has been sealed since the game launched for good reason, we don’t want to unbalance a good-standing weapons class.
Honourable mention: Win94 – This wild west-style sniper is quite a powerful start-up weapon. This can instantaneously knock/kill a player wearing a level 2 helmet just like the Kar98 and M24 if you can believe it. Not to mention the 3.5x scope it comes already equipped with.
SR tier list
| Weapon | Damage |
| Lynx AMR | 118 |
| AWM | 105 |
| Kar98k | 79 |
| Mosin Nagant | 79 |
| M24 | 75 |
| Win94 | 66 |
Best Crate Weapon in PUBG
Winners: Groza and Mk14
Currently, the best AR in the game in terms of damage and rate of fire, is the Groza. An exclusive crate weapon, which is relatively easy to manoeuvre, and only needs the Extended Mag if you want more ammo in your magazine. You can only equip its front with an AR Suppressor for an extra cool sound to your fire.
As for a range crate weapon, the prize goes to the Mk14 no doubt. This 7.62mm DMR deals so much damage per bullet, it’s almost like a semi-automatic Kar98. If you get a cheek pad and maybe a compensator with an extended mag, this can be turned into a primary weapon, but use caution, this is very hard to handle in full-auto mode!
Honourable mention: AWM – This goes without saying, but the AWM is the king on the PUBG chess table. 1-hit kill on a level 3 helmet, nothing left to say.
Misc tier list
| Weapon | Damage |
| Crossbow | 105 |
| DP-28 | 52 |
| MG3 | 42 |
| M249 | 41 |
The Tactical Pack hack
Psst, here’s a bonus tactical pack pro tip. Since PUBG introduced us to the Tactical Gear slot, we’ve been blessed with choosing the Tactical Pack and holding up to 4 main weapons!
What I like to do is the following:
- Pick a good AR and Sniper, the Beryl M762 and the Kar98 for instance.
- Equip the Tactical Pack.
- Find a good shotgun like the DBS or the S686 and add it to the first slot of your Tactical Pack (don’t forget to pack some 12-gauge ammo too, 10 rounds will do).
- For the second slot, find the all-mighty Panzerfaust.
When you get to the endgame, these two incredible weapon add-ons will serve you right. First, use the Panzerfaust, then get in close with the DBS as the circle closes (especially if the final circle happens to be indoors).
Hope this PUBG weapons guide made sense for you and you’ve learned a thing or two about PUBG’s weapons meta.
Image credits: pubg.com
