As an avid Starfield player with over 50 hours logged, I‘ve had the pleasure of trying out many different weapons across various classes. In this guide, I‘ll be breaking down my picks for the top 10 most powerful and effective weapons currently available in Starfield.
When rating these weapons, I took into account factors like base damage, range, rate of fire, recoil, and more. I‘ll provide specifics on why each weapon stands out, as well as tips on how to acquire them and which mods or upgrades synergize best. Let‘s get started!
1. XM-2311 Combat Pistol
The XM-2311 is hands down the best pistol thanks to its blistering rate of fire and .45 caliber rounds that hit hard. It‘s classified as a rare weapon, meaning it comes with the "Space-Adept" perk that boosts damage by 30% while in space.
Downsides are its strong recoil and small 5 mod capacity, but an ergonomic grip and red dot sight help tremendously with control. I was able to take down enemies in just 2-3 shots during early gameplay thanks to its sheer power.
Where to Find: Random loot drops from soldier enemies
Recommended Mods: Ergonomic Grip, Red Dot Sight, Extended Magazine
2. Executioner Rifle
This semi-auto rifle is brutally powerful, firing high-velocity rounds that can tear through most enemies with 1-2 body shots. It has strong handling which allows for fast follow up shots, and the 10 round magazine gives plenty of firepower before needing to reload.
An extended magazine pairs nicely to offset the slower fire rate. The Executioner shines best against tougher enemies or bosses thanks to its per bullet damage. Just be mindful of the recoil.
Where to Find: Complete the "Price of Freedom" quest
Recommended Mods: Extended Magazine, Laser Sight
3. IPS-23 Particle Rifle
I consider the IPS-23 an extremely well-rounded energy rifle. It has solid damage output, a generous 40 round magazine, very fast fire rate, and excellent handling characteristics even at longer ranges.
The Particle Rifle is shockingly stable and easy to control. The mods I threw on mine take it to an even higher level, with increased crit chance/damage helping melt enemies with ease. It quickly became my go-to weapon for general combat and questing.
Where to Find: Ludvigen Outpost weapons vendor
Recommended Mods: Extended Barrel, Recoil Compensator, Beam Splitter
4. Breach Cutter Shotgun
If you prefer to deal death at close range, the Breach Cutter shotgun absolutely brings the pain. The weapon description says it all: "Tears through reinforced hulls. Devastates living targets." And it wasn‘t kidding.
Each blast from this bad boy rips through enemies with authority thanks to the flachette rounds. The tight spread and high per pellet damage also gives it versatility to work at mid-range too. It chews through ammo quickly, but absolutely worthwhile when things get dicey.
Where to Find: Bought from Rendar Salvage vendor in Arkadia system
Recommended Mods: Ammo Belt, Laser Sight
5. AR-C "Lancer" Assault Rifle
The rugged and reliable AR-C serves as a workhorse assault rifle that performs admirably in most combat scenarios. It offers well-balanced stats across the board in terms of damage, range, stability, and rate of fire.
While it doesn‘t necessarily stand out in any one area, the Lancer‘s versatility is its biggest strength. It has a very fast reload speed which also complements its midsize magazine nicely. The Lancer pairs well with many mod configurations too.
Where to Find: Loot drop from bandit hideouts
Recommended Mods: Reflex Sight, Extended Magazine, Recoil Stock
6. MC2-TE Scrambler Pistol
Don‘t let the tiny size of the Scrambler pistol fool you…it packs quite a punch! This rare gem of a handgun fires 8mm shock rounds that absolutely melt enemy shields and electronics.
Its Electrical Damage attribute is off the charts. You can essentially handicap robots and mechs by draining their power cores in just 2-3 shots on average. It also has next to no recoil, so lining up headshots on flesh targets is easy.
Where to Find: Complete "The Naturalist" quest
Recommended Mods: Extended Magazine, Frictionless Materials
7. SQL Injection Rifle
Here we have an unusual weapon that fires code injected rounds which cause instant digital chaos. Anything with cybernetic enhancements or electronics is going to have a bad day on the receiving end.
Essentially, the SQL Injection Rifle hacks/disables robots, mechs, turrets, etc with little effort. The firing mechanism and reload animations are also super unique…your character actually types out lines of code to manifest the dangerous rounds!
Where to Find: Research Station Epsilon armory
Recommended Mods: Intensity Booster, Cooling System
8. Nightshade Coilgun
This menacing coilgun fires slugs at hypervelocity using advanced electromagnetic acceleration. Translation: extreme damage at long range. Headshots with the Nightshade absolutely delete humanoid enemies.
It‘s pinpoint accurate even from 200+ meters out thanks to the smooth magnetic propulsion. The downside is the slowed muzzle velocity compared to powder firearms. However, enemies have little time to react at such distances. I live for those satisfying long range kills.
Where to Find: Bought from fence merchant in Thekra Hideout
Recommended Mods: Long Barrel, Variable Zoom Scope
9. VS-23 Arc Cutter
Hunting for Starfield‘s best melee weapon? Look no further than the VS-23 Arc Cutter. Originally designed for mining operations, this diamond grade carbide sword is lethally efficient with its monomolecular edge.
The Arc Cutter slices through exosuits and armor effortlessly, often removing limbs in one slash. It also emits a devastating electrical discharge on each attack.
Enemies that get within melee range will regret living as this vicious instrument of CQC destruction turns them into chunks. It‘s simply too much fun leaping into a pack of aliens and going to town.
Where to Find: Supply locker in Floren mining colony
Recommended Mods: Energized Blade, Riot Grip
10. Heavy Impact Grenade Launcher
My final pick for Starfield‘s best weapons is the awesomely destructive Heavy Impact Grenade Launcher. Lobbing 40mm explosive rounds at groups of enemies is intensely satisfying.
It fires a variety of grenade types that wreak sheer havoc upon detonation. The splash damage shreds tightly packed enemies while impact grenades smash reinforced structures and armor with ease.
Where to Find: Bought from Drake Salvage & Sundries vendor
Recommended Mods: Expanded Ammo Hopper, Laser Targeter
And there you have it…my personal top picks for the most powerful weapons currently available in Starfield based on 50+ hours of hands-on gameplay. From hard-hitting pistols up to devastating explosives and plasma weaponry, this list has your lethal needs covered!
Stay tuned for more in-depth Starfield guides and content! Let me know which weapons you‘re having fun with by tweeting me @starfieldguide. See you around the Settled Systems, space cowboy!
