Fortnite Weapons

All Fortnite Weapon Categories

All weapons in Fortnite are grouped into categories based on their mechanics, intended range, and playstyle. Understanding these categories will help you choose the best tools for every engagement and adapt your loadout on the fly.

Assault Rifles: Versatile Mid-Range Powerhouses

Assault Rifles balance accuracy, fire rate, and magazine size to excel at mid-range engagements. They are reliable whether you’re building-peeking in close quarters or tapping foes at distance.

• Assault Rifle – Magazine of 30, fire rate of 5.5 rounds/sec, headshot multiplier of 2.0
• Heavy Assault Rifle – Slower fire rate (4.8 rounds/sec) but higher per-shot damage, ideal against built cover
• Burst Assault Rifle – Fires three-round bursts for controlled, high-damage hits, rewarding precision
• Infantry Rifle – Semi-auto with high accuracy and medium magazine, great for tap-firing at range
• Suppressed Assault Rifle – Reduced sound signature for stealthy mid-range play, with slightly lower damage
• Tactical Assault Rifle – Fast fire rate and moderate recoil, excels in close-mid combat
• Thermal Scoped Assault Rifle – Offers thermal vision to spot heat signatures through builds
• Scoped Assault Rifle – Zoom scope for precise long-range shots, but limited magazine
• Stark Industries Energy Rifle – Fires energy beams that pierce multiple targets, unique Mythic variant

Submachine Guns (SMGs): Close-Range Shredders

SMGs excel in point-blank fights thanks to their blistering fire rate and mobility. Mastering strafing and hip-fire accuracy turns these into lethal weapons in tight spaces.

• Submachine Gun – Balanced DPS and magazine size, common early-game pick
• Compact SMG – Smaller mag but higher fire rate and mobility, trades ammo economy for speed
• Suppressed Submachine Gun – Silent kills with reduced damage falloff
• Rapid Fire SMG – One of the fastest fire rates in game, ideal for shredding builds
• Machine Pistol – Burst-fire variant with strong initial volley, good for burst engagements
• OG Submachine gun – Classic SMG with balanced recoil and damage
• Burst SMG – Three-round bursts reward accurate tap-firing
• Tactical Submachine Gun – Versatile with predictable recoil, solid mid-tier option
• Drum Gun – High-capacity magazine for sustained suppression fire

Shotguns: The Close-Range Kings

Shotguns dominate in shotgun battles due to their high per-shot damage. Learning to time your shots and double-pump or fast-switch strategies can win duels instantly.

• Pump Shotgun – High single-shot damage (up to 200 per headshot), slow cock time
• Tactical Shotgun – Faster fire rate (2.0 rounds/sec) with slightly reduced damage
• Charge Shotgun – Charge mechanic boosts damage up to 250 per shot when fully charged
• Lever Action Shotgun – Combines moderate fire rate with decent damage, lever-cycling mechanic
• Dragon’s Breath Shotgun – Ignites enemies and builds over time with incendiary rounds
• Heavy Shotgun – Larger pellets and higher damage per pellet, slower reload
• Drum Shotgun – 8-round drum magazine, trades reload speed for capacity
• Combat Shotgun – High rate of fire with tight spread, great for close-quarter sprees
• Double Barrel Shotgun – Two shots before reload, massive damage but very slow cycle
• The Dub – Triple-barrel burst, rare variant that fires three shells per trigger pull

Pistols: Underrated and Deadly

Pistols can turn the tide when ammo is scarce. They offer precision and mobility, making them ideal sidearms or emergency options when primary weapons run dry.

• Pistol – Reliable sidearm with moderate fire rate and 18-round mag
• Suppressed Pistol – Silenced, useful for stealth flanks
• Shadow Tracker – Reveals the location of nearby enemies after firing
• Hand Cannon – High recoil but devastating single-shot damage
• Dual Pistols – Rapid-fire, two magazines for sustained duels
• Deadpool’s Dual Hand Cannons – Mythic variant with infinite ammo, high damage
• Six Shooter – Six rounds, fast cycle, high headshot multiplier
• Flint-Knock Pistol – Knockback effect launches enemies backwards
• Dual Suppressed Pistols – Silent dual-wield, perfect for ambush
• Revolver – Semi-auto with high initial damage
• Scoped Revolver – Offers zoom scope for precision pistol shots
• Night Hawk – Unique Legendary pistol with extended mag and improved accuracy

Sniper Rifles: Long-Range Precision

Sniper rifles control engagements from afar. Mastering bullet drop, travel time, and lead shots against moving targets separates skilled snipers from the rest.

• Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle – High per-shot damage, slow bolt cycle
• Hunting Rifle – Semi-auto with quick follow-up shots, moderate damage
• Suppressed Sniper Rifle – Silent for stealth eliminations
• Heavy Sniper Rifle – Can penetrate structures and vehicles
• Boom Sniper Rifle – Explosive rounds for area denial
• Semi-Auto Sniper Rifle – Rapid-fire, lower per-shot damage
• Storm Scout Sniper Rifle – Reveals future storm circle on elimination
• Automatic Sniper Rifle – Fully automatic, moderate damage per shot
• Lever Action Rifle – Fast lever cycling, good mobility
• Amban Sniper Rifle – Mandalorian-themed, one-shot knockout to downed state

Explosives and Launchers: Area Control Experts

Explosive weapons excel at destroying builds, forcing movement, or securing squad wipes. Timing and splash damage awareness are crucial to avoid self-elimination.

• Rocket Launcher – High splash radius, great for demolishing structures
• Grenade Launcher – Bouncing grenades for unpredictable area damage
• The Big Chill – Freezes enemies on impact, slowing movement
• Snowball Launcher – Rapid-firing ice projectiles with freeze effect
• Kit’s Shockwave Launcher – Knockback shockwaves for mobility and enemy disruption
• Guided Missile – Remote-controlled for precision targeting
• Quad Launcher – Fires four rockets in a spread pattern
• Proximity Grenade Launcher – Mines that detonate when enemies approach

LMGs and Miniguns: Suppression and Chaos

If you want to melt walls and enemies without letting go of the trigger, these high-capacity weapons are your best bet. They excel at area denial and breaking enemy momentum.

• Light Machine Gun – 100-round magazine, steady fire rate, ideal for sustained pressure
• Minigun – Spin-up time then unleash high DPS, destroys builds rapidly

Breaking Down Weapon Statistics

To optimize your combat effectiveness, it’s essential to understand the core statistics that define each weapon’s performance on the battlefield.

Damage per Shot

Damage per shot determines how much health or shield you remove with each hit. Weapons like Heavy Sniper Rifles and Pump Shotguns boast the highest damage, often exceeding 150 points per hit. Lower-damage weapons require a higher rate of fire to match burst damage.

Fire Rate and DPS

Fire rate (rounds per second) multiplied by damage per shot equals DPS (damage per second). SMGs and Rapid Fire weapons often lead in DPS, while high-damage weapons with slower rates may have lower sustained DPS but higher burst potential.

Reload Speed and Magazine Size

Magazine size affects how long you can sustain fire before a reload. Fast-reloading weapons like Tactical Shotguns and some SMGs allow quicker follow-up shots, while big-magazine weapons like the Drum Gun trade reload speed for ammo economy.

Headshot Multipliers

Headshots often deal 1.5–2.0 times normal damage. Precision weapons like Sniper Rifles and Scoped Revolvers reward accurate aiming with massive multipliers, turning a single shot into an instant elimination.

Mastering Ammunition Types

Ammunition management is critical in Fortnite. Each weapon category uses a specific ammo type, and running out at the wrong moment can cost you the match.

Light Bullets

Used by Assault Rifles, SMGs, and Tactical weapons. They are common in floor loot, chests, and supply drops. Prioritize keeping a stock of 200+ for mid-game engagements.

Medium Bullets

Standard ammo for standard Assault Rifles and Burst ARs. Slightly rarer than light bullets but essential for balanced loadouts.

Shells

Exclusive to shotguns. Shells are found in smaller stacks (6–8) per ammo box. Always carry at least 20 for late-game shotgun fights.

Rockets

Rockets power explosive launchers. Rare in floor loot but common in ammo boxes. Carry 5–10 rockets for utility and endgame structure destruction.

Energy Ammo

Used by futuristic weapons like the Stark Industries Energy Rifle. Found mostly in NPC caches and supply drops. Because of its rarity, energy ammo weapons are high-value picks.

Understanding Weapon Rarities and Drop Rates

Rarity determines weapon potency, drop probability, and market value in your inventory. Rarities follow a color-coded system that signals performance tiers.

Common to Legendary

Common (Gray): Basic stats, high availability.
Uncommon (Green): Slight stat boosts.
Rare (Blue): Noticeable improvements in damage and fire rate.
Epic (Purple): High-tier bonus, often best non-mythic.
Legendary (Gold): Peak performance for standard weapons.

Mythic and Exotic

Mythic (Yellow-Gold) weapons have unique abilities or effects and are typically obtained by defeating NPC bosses. Exotic weapons, introduced in specific seasons, offer special perks but are found only at NPC vendors.

Drop Probabilities

Higher rarities appear less frequently in floor loot and chests. Expect Legendary weapons in about 3–5% of chest spawns, while Common and Uncommon fill over 60% of low-tier loot.

Attachments and Upgrades: Fine-Tuning Your Arsenal

Some weapons come with built-in attachments like scopes or silencers. Others can be upgraded mid-match to improve rarity and performance.

Scopes and Sights

Scoped Assault Rifles and Scoped Revolvers provide adjustable zoom levels. Thermal Scopes add heat detection but limit peripheral vision. Choose scopes for long-range precision at the cost of close-quarters awareness.

Silencers

Silenced variants reduce muzzle flash and noise at the cost of slightly reduced damage. Ideal for stealth plays and flanking maneuvers without alerting nearby enemies.

Upgrade Benches

Using gold bars at upgrade benches increases weapon rarity by one tier, boosting damage, fire rate, and reload speed. Always prioritize upgrading your primary weapon to Legendary or higher late-game.

Adapting to Seasonal Rotations and Vaults

Epic Games rotates weapons in and out of the vault to keep gameplay fresh. Staying informed about vault schedules and upcoming additions ensures you’re never caught off-guard by a missing favorite.

Checking Patch Notes

Patch notes list vaulted and unvaulted weapons, stat changes, and new additions. Bookmark Epic’s official patch update page or follow trusted community sites for timely information.

Building Versatility

Because your go-to weapons may vanish each season, practice with a broad range of categories. Mastering both shotguns and SMGs ensures you’re prepared whether the Pump Shotgun or Combat Shotgun is vaulted.

Building the Perfect Loadout

Your ideal loadout balances range, ammo availability, and utility. Here’s a template to maximize versatility in most matches:

• Close Range: Tactical Shotgun or Compact SMG
• Mid Range: Tactical Assault Rifle or Heavy Assault Rifle
• Long Range: Bolt-Action Sniper Rifle or Scoped Assault Rifle
• Explosive/Utility: Rocket Launcher or Shockwave Launcher
• Sidearm: Hand Cannon or Dual Pistols

Adjust based on your playstyle: aggressive players may swap explosives for an extra shotgun, while campers prefer additional long-range options.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fortnite Weapons

What are the different weapon rarities in Fortnite?

Weapons in Fortnite come in five main rarities: Common (Gray), Uncommon (Green), Rare (Blue), Epic (Purple), and Legendary (Gold). There are also Mythic and Exotic tiers with special abilities or effects.

Which weapon deals the highest damage?

Heavy Sniper Rifles and Pump Shotguns (especially the Legendary versions) are known for high burst damage. Rocket Launchers also deal massive explosive damage.

How does ammo type affect gameplay?

Each weapon class uses specific ammo types like Light Bullets, Medium Bullets, Shells, or Rockets. Managing ammo is key to sustained fights, especially in late-game scenarios.

Are Mythic and Exotic weapons overpowered?

They often provide unique effects that can shift fights in your favor, but they are balanced by rarity and limited availability in most game modes.

Which weapons are best for beginners?

Beginner-friendly weapons include the Assault Rifle, Tactical Shotgun, and Submachine Gun due to their reliability and forgiving recoil.

Can I upgrade weapons during a match?

Yes, upgrade benches scattered across the map let you spend gold bars to improve weapon rarity mid-match.

Why do some weapons disappear between seasons?

Epic Games rotates weapons in and out of the loot pool to keep gameplay fresh. Vaulted weapons may return in future updates.

What’s the rarest weapon in Fortnite history?

Items like the Mythic Infinity Blade or the Guided Missile have become rare due to their short availability or overpowered nature.

Do weapon stats change between updates?

Yes, Epic frequently rebalances weapons for fairness. Patch notes usually list changes to damage, fire rate, reload time, and more.

Is there a best all-around weapon in Fortnite?

No single weapon dominates all scenarios. A balanced loadout typically includes a mid-range AR, a close-range shotgun or SMG, and a long-range or utility weapon.

Equipped for Victory with FortniteInsider

Fortnite’s dynamic weapon roster rewards players who stay informed and adaptable. By mastering each weapon category, understanding core statistics, managing ammo, and leveraging upgrades, you ensure you’re always ready for any engagement. Seasonal rotations keep the meta fresh, so cultivate versatility across shotguns, rifles, and launchers. Crafting the perfect loadout tailored to your playstyle — whether aggressive, tactical, or stealthy — is the final piece in your path to Victory Royale. Now, grab your favorite weapon, land hot, and put these insights to the test to rise above the competition.