Fortnite Items & Weapons Tier List

Fortnite Weapons Tier List

S-Tier – The Best of the Best

The weapons and items in this tier are the absolute best choices for any situation. They offer high damage, superior accuracy, and exceptional utility, making them must-have options.

• Heavy Assault Rifle – Exceptional damage per shot and manageable recoil, dominating both close and long-range engagements.
• Drum Gun – High fire rate and low bloom for consistent DPS in mid-range fights.
• Stark Industries Energy Rifle – Mythic-level energy output with pinpoint accuracy and rapid fire.
• Pump Shotgun – Unmatched one-shot potential in close quarters with massive damage.
• Heavy Sniper Rifle – Capable of one-shot eliminations with massive bullet velocity and impact.
• Kit’s Shockwave Launcher – Provides unrivaled mobility and crowd control through explosive blasts.

A-Tier – Strong and Reliable

Weapons and items in this tier are excellent choices, though they may lack the raw power of S-tier options.

• Assault Rifle – Reliable accuracy and balanced fire rate make it a go-to for most combat scenarios.
• Burst Assault Rifle – Three-round bursts deliver high precision at mid-range with significant burst damage.
• Tactical Assault Rifle – Faster fire rate than standard ARs, ideal for sustained engagements.
• Infantry Rifle – Iron sights and moderate recoil suit long-range players who prefer precision.
• Thermal Scoped Assault Rifle – Thermal overlay highlights enemies behind cover, offering tactical advantage.
• Scoped Assault Rifle – Scopes in for mid-range duels, combining AR versatility with scoped precision.
• Tactical Shotgun – Quick reload and faster fire rate provide consistent close-range damage.
• Heavy Shotgun – Delivers powerful shots with generous range, rewarding accurate aim.
• Combat Shotgun – Balanced spread and rate make it dependable in tight spaces.
• Submachine Gun – Versatile close-quarters weapon with controllable recoil.
• Compact SMG – Rapid fire and tight spread excel at shredding opponents’ shields.
• Suppressed Submachine Gun – Stealthy bursts keep you off enemy radar while outputting solid DPS.
• Rocket Launcher – High explosive radius ideal for structure destruction and splash damage.
• Grenade Launcher – Arcing shots clear builds and dislodge defensive opponents.

B-Tier – Good but Situational

These weapons and items are decent choices but are overshadowed by better alternatives.

• Suppressed Assault Rifle – Lower damage drop-off but underperforms compared to standard ARs.
• Charge Shotgun – Charging mechanic yields high damage but slow rate of fire limits practicality.
• Lever Action Shotgun – Moderate damage and range but clunky cycling hinders follow-up shots.
• Dragon’s Breath Shotgun – Incendiary rounds ignite targets but reduced pellet count lowers DPS.
• Drum Shotgun – Large magazine but significant damage falloff reduces close-range lethality.
• Double Barrel Shotgun – Extremely high burst damage but only two shots before reload.
• The Dub – Fast-firing shotgun-like weapon with unstable recoil, best for rapid engagements.
• Rapid Fire SMG – Highest fire rate but overheat risk and recoil spikes degrade control.
• Machine Pistol – Pocket-sized SMG with decent rate but limited magazine and high bloom.
• OG Submachine Gun – Classic SMG with moderate stats but outdated by newer variants.
• Burst SMG – Burst-fire pattern allows controlled bursts but lacks continuous firepower.
• Tactical Submachine Gun – Balanced SMG but overshadowed by higher DPS models.
• Hunting Rifle – Semi-automatic bolt action offers precision but low fire rate hampers mid-fight adaptability.
• Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle – High headshot potential but slow bolt cycle leaves you exposed.
• Suppressed Sniper Rifle – Stealthy but lower damage restricts one-shot potential.
• Semi-Auto Sniper Rifle – Faster follow-up shots but damage per bullet is insufficient for clean kills.
• Boom Sniper Rifle – Explosive ammunition provides area damage but suffers from drop-off.
• Amban Sniper Rifle – Wall penetration makes it unique but narrow special use-case lowers versatility.
• Quad Launcher – Four rockets in one shot is fun but travel time and arc reduce accuracy.
• Proximity Grenade Launcher – Clings to structures for area denial but slow projectile speed limits effectiveness.

C-Tier – Average and Replaceable

These weapons and items are usable, but there are almost always better choices.

• Pistol – Basic sidearm good for early game but quickly outclassed by ARs and SMGs.
• Suppressed Pistol – Stealthy but low damage and slow fire rate restrict use.
• Shadow Tracker – Recon utility makes it niche; damage and fire rate are mediocre.
• Hand Cannon – High damage per shot but punishing recoil and slow reload.
• Dual Pistols – Double firepower but small mags and reload downtime hamper consistency.
• Deadpool’s Dual Hand Cannons – Burst damage on demand but drawn-out reload cycle limits sustained fights.
• Six Shooter – Revolver-style pistol with decent range but too small mag.
• Flint-Knock Pistol – Knockback rounds offer mobility but sacrifice direct damage.
• Dual Suppressed Pistols – Silent takedowns nice for stealth but low DPS.
• Revolver – Hard-hitting but slow rate and tricky recoil.
• Scoped Revolver – Precision aiming helps land shots but very slow fire rate.
• Night Hawk – Marksman rifle with thermal scope but inconsistent damage output.
• Storm Scout Sniper Rifle – Reveals storm movement but inferior in direct damage.
• Lever Action Rifle – Balanced sniping tool but outperformed by scoped ARs.
• Guided Missile – Player-controlled rocket offers unique play but lacks area saturation.

D-Tier – Weak and Outclassed

Avoid these weapons and items unless you have no other choice.

• Automatic Sniper Rifle – Auto-fire seems appealing but bullet spread and low damage centralize it as filler.
• Snowball Launcher – Fun utility but laughable damage and short range.
• The Big Chill – Freezes targets but minimal damage and situational use.
• Light Machine Gun – Swings large magazine but slow reload and low accuracy.
• Minigun – High ammo count and fire rate but spin-up delay and recoil hinder effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions about Item and Weapon Tier Lists

What is the best weapon in Fortnite?

The S-Tier picks like the Heavy Assault Rifle and Heavy Sniper Rifle top the list due to their high damage output and reliability across all ranges.

Which weapon tier should I prioritize in the early game?

Early on, look for A-Tier staples such as the Assault Rifle and Combat Shotgun. They balance ammo efficiency with combat flexibility until you can secure S-Tier options.

Are shotguns still viable in the current meta?

Yes. The Pump Shotgun remains S-Tier for one-shot potential, while the Tactical Shotgun and Heavy Shotgun are strong A-Tier choices for fast follow-ups.

Which assault rifle variant offers the best mid-range performance?

The Burst Assault Rifle and Infantry Rifle excel at mid-range precision, making them top A-Tier picks for controlled engagements.

Should I pick energy weapons over traditional firearms?

Energy weapons like the Stark Industries Energy Rifle are S-Tier due to their high DPS and low recoil, but they can be rarer. Traditional ARs and SMGs remain reliable if you can’t secure a mythic.

How do explosive weapons compare to standard weapons?

Explosives such as the Rocket Launcher and Kit’s Shockwave Launcher are excellent for structure destruction and zoning, earning A-Tier and S-Tier status respectively for utility.

Are stealth weapons worth using over raw damage weapons?

Stealth weapons (e.g., Suppressed SMG and Suppressed Pistol) are situational. They grant positional advantage but often fall into B- or C-Tier due to lower raw DPS.

Which weapons excel in close-range combat?

For close range, S-Tier options like the Drum Gun and Pump Shotgun dominate, while A-Tier SMGs and Tactical Shotguns offer reliable follow-up fire.

How often should I rotate my loadout based on tier list updates?

The Fortnite loot pool changes every season and major patch, so reevaluate your loadout whenever new weapons drop or balance changes hit—typically every 6–8 weeks.

Can under-tier weapons be effective in skilled hands?

Absolutely. Weapons in B- and C-Tier like the Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle or Dual Pistols can outperform meta picks if you master their firing patterns and positioning.