RIVALS Weapon Tier List (May 2026): Every Weapon Ranked

Last updated: May 9, 2026. Covers all weapons as of RIVALS Season 3 (The Fame Season) and Update 20 (Collapse). Weapon stats reflect the latest balance changes from the April 2026 patch.

Quick Summary: Top 5 Best Weapons in RIVALS

Rank	Weapon	Type	Best For	Tier
1	Permafrost	Primary	Everything — slows enemies + burst fire	S+
2	Scythe	Melee	Aggressive play — unmatched dash mobility	S+
3	Katana	Melee	Defense — bullet deflect ability	S+
4	Uzi	Secondary	Close-range DPS — fastest fire rate	S+
5	Paintball Gun	Primary	Mid-range dominance — fastest practical fire rate	S+

Understanding Weapon Stats

Before diving into tier rankings, here’s what each stat means:

Stat	What It Does	Target Value
Damage	Base damage per hit/bullet	Higher = faster time-to-kill (TTK)
Fire Rate	Time between shots	Lower = faster (0.10s is very fast)
Ammo	Magazine capacity / total reserve	Larger clips = less reload pressure
Move Speed	How the weapon affects your movement	Positive = faster, negative = slower
Crit Multiplier	Multiplier on headshots/critical hits	Higher = more burst damage
Range Dropoff	Damage reduction at distance	No dropoff = consistent at all ranges

Important: Damage dropoff is the hidden stat that makes or breaks weapons. A weapon with 50 damage at close range but heavy dropoff at 50+ studs performs very differently than one with consistent damage.

Primary Weapons Tier Rankings

S+ Tier — The Meta Kings

These weapons dominate the current meta. If you can afford them, buy them immediately.

Weapon	Damage	Fire Rate	Ammo	Move Speed	Price	How to Get
Permafrost	14 per bullet	0.30s (2-round burst)	24/72	Normal	700 Keys	Shop (was Season 2 Prime Pass exclusive)

Permafrost — The Undisputed #1: The Permafrost is the single best weapon in RIVALS. Its 2-round burst fire at 14 damage per bullet delivers devastating mid-range TTK, and the unique freeze/slow effect (up to -50% movement speed) locks down opponents, preventing escape. Even after Season 3 adjustments, it remains dominant because the movement impairment utility is unmatched among primaries. It’s the cornerstone of every competitive loadout.

S Tier — Elite Performers

Top-tier weapons that excel in most situations.

Weapon	Damage	Fire Rate	Ammo	Move Speed	Crit	Price	How to Get
Paintball Gun	22	Fast	—	-10%	—	10 Keys	Shop (Prime weapon)
Sniper	50	1.50s	—	-20%	x3.00	75 Keys	Shop
Burst Rifle	20→4	burst	—	-10%	—	25 Keys	Shop
Assault Rifle	12→3	0.10s	20/100	-10%	—	Free	Starter weapon
Flamethrower	85 DPS	continuous	—	-5%	—	400 Keys	Shop (Prime weapon)

Paintball Gun — Consistency King: With 22 damage per shot and the fastest practical fire rate among primaries, the Paintball Gun rewards good tracking aim. It excels at mid-range where most fights happen.

Sniper — The Long-Range Specialist: 50 base damage with a x3.00 crit multiplier means headshots are instant kills. The -20% move speed penalty is the tradeoff — you’re vulnerable up close. Pair with a mobile melee like Scythe.

Burst Rifle — Budget Powerhouse: At just 25 Keys, the Burst Rifle delivers high burst damage for close-mid range fights. Note: it was nerfed in the Lucky Update (March 2026) — body damage dropped from 20 to 18. Still excellent value.

Assault Rifle — The Free Meta: The best free weapon in the game. With 12 damage at 0.10s fire rate and a generous 20/100 ammo pool, it’s reliable at all ranges. The Season 3 update actually buffed its fire rate from 0.11s to 0.10s, offsetting the damage nerf (13→12).

Flamethrower — Corridor Crusher: 85 DPS continuous damage with 25 afterburn damage and 26-stud reach. On close-quarters maps like Backrooms, this is absolutely devastating. The -5% move speed is minimal.

A+ Tier — Strong Competitive Picks

Weapon	Damage	Fire Rate	Ammo	Move Speed	Crit	Price	How to Get
Crossbow	37.5	1.00s	1/20	+5%	x1.667	35 Keys	Shop
Minigun	8→4	Very fast	300	-25%	—	450 Keys	Shop (Prime weapon)
RPG	50	0.25s	1/17	-15%	x2.00	25 Keys	Shop

Crossbow — The Mobile Sniper: No damage dropoff means it hits just as hard at 200 studs as at point-blank. The +5% move speed bonus makes it the fastest-moving primary. Essentially a lightweight sniper with better mobility.

Minigun — Angle Holder: 300 ammo pool and insane sustained DPS after the 0.80s windup. Best for holding angles on open maps. The -25% move speed is punishing — you’re a sitting duck while spinning up.

RPG — Area Denial Specialist: 50 damage with a 16-stud splash radius. Great for flushing enemies out of cover and movement tech (grenade boosting). The 0.25s cooldown is surprisingly fast for a rocket launcher.

A Tier — Solid and Reliable

Weapon	Damage	Fire Rate	Ammo	Move Speed	Price	How to Get
Shotgun	7.5x10→2.5x10 pellets	0.70s	7/35	-10%	20 Keys	Shop
Bow	Charge-based	—	—	—	10 Keys	Shop
Shorty	7.5x10→2.5x10 pellets	—	—	—	20 Keys	Shop

Shotgun — Close-Range Terror: 75 max damage up close (7.5 x 10 pellets), dropping to 25 at range. The range limitation is brutal — beyond 10 studs, effectiveness plummets. Best on small maps or as a complement to a long-range primary.

Bow — High Skill Ceiling: Changed from hitscan to projectile weapon in Update 20. Charge multipliers adjusted from 50/100/150/240% to 100/125/150/200% — more consistent but lower peak damage. Requires leading shots and timing charges.

B+ Tier — Niche and Map-Dependent

Weapon	Damage	Fire Rate	Ammo	Price	How to Get
Gunblade	45 melee + 12 ranged	0.75s	12	45 Keys	Shop
Distortion	7.0x5	0.40s	77	700 Keys	Shop (Contraband)

Gunblade — Hybrid Warrior: 45 damage melee + 12 ammo ranged attack. Versatile but requires mastering both ranges. The Season 3 nerf (swordsmanship 50→35 damage, but shots increased 8→12) redistributed its power profile.

A Tier — Competitive Secondary Weapons

Weapon	Damage	Fire Rate	Ammo	Move Speed	Price	How to Get
Energy Pistols	2.1	0.03s	Infinite	Normal	400 Keys	Shop (Prime weapon)
Revolver	30→8	0.40s (0.15s fan)	6/36	-5%	25 Keys	Shop
Handgun	12→3	0.13s	—	Normal	Free	Starter weapon
Exogun	10→2	—	6/28	Normal	350 Keys	Shop (Prime weapon)

Energy Pistols — The Secondary Meta: 0.03s cooldown (fastest in the game) with infinite ammo. The sustained damage output at all ranges is unmatched. The Season 3 update increased equip cooldown (0.45s→0.60s) and slightly decreased damage, but it remains the top secondary pick.

Revolver — Burst Punisher: 30 damage at close range dropping to 8. The fan cooldown (0.15s) allows rapid follow-up shots. Great for punishing enemies who miss their primary.

S Tier — Melee Weapons

Weapon	Damage	Cooldown	Reach	Move Speed	Ability	Price	How to Get
Scythe	35	0.70s	6	Normal	Dash (4s cooldown)	~40 Keys	Shop
Katana	45	0.70-0.75s	6	Normal	Deflect (4s cooldown, 1s duration)	~45 Keys	Shop
Knife	40	0.60s	6	+10%	Heavy: 40/1.25s	20 Keys	Shop
Chainsaw	60	0.60s	—	+85% (during ability)	Speed boost	15 Keys	Shop

Scythe — The Aggressive King: Best mobility melee in RIVALS. The dash ability (4s cooldown) enables unmatched aggressive plays — close gaps instantly, dodge incoming fire, and reposition mid-fight.

Katana — The Defensive Masterpiece: Can deflect almost all hitscan weapon bullets. The deflect ability (4s cooldown, 1s duration) is game-changing — timed correctly, it turns an enemy’s attack against them. Essential for gun-melee hybrid playstyles.

Knife — Pure Damage: Fastest reliable TTK among melee weapons. 40 damage at 0.60s cooldown with +10% move speed. The heavy attack (40 damage, 1.25s cooldown, x3.75 crit) rewards patience.

Chainsaw — The Rusher: 60 damage is the highest DPS melee, with a built-in +85% speed boost during its ability. Three-hit kill potential makes it devastating for aggressive rushes.

A Tier — Melee Weapons

Weapon	Damage	Cooldown	Reach	Ability	Price	How to Get
Battle Axe	55	0.70s	6	Spin: 30 damage/10 radius AoE	~15-20 Keys	Shop
Spear	25 throw / 50 close	—	8	Ranged throw (80 knockback)	Season 3 Pass	Season 3 (Fame) Pass
Trowel	~50	—	—	Movement tech	—	Shop
Fists	35 (buffed from 30)	0.35s	6	1 double jump, +5% move speed	Free	Starter weapon

Spear — Season 3’s New Contender: New in Season 3 (The Fame Season). 25 damage throw / 50 damage close-range throw with 80 knockback. Versatile ranged-melee hybrid option.

Fists — Surprisingly Viable: Buffed from 30 to 35 damage in recent updates. Fastest cooldown (0.35s) with a free double jump. In skilled hands, the fists are actually competitive.

B Tier — Situational Melee

Weapon	Damage	Cooldown	Ability	Notes
Gunblade (melee mode)	45	0.75s	12 ammo ranged	Good hybrid, not the best pure melee
Riot Shield	Defensive	—	Blocks projectiles	Highly situational; bypassed by explosives and melee

C Tier — Avoid in Competitive Play

Weapon	Damage	Cooldown	Issue
Maul	75	1.00s (0.45s attack delay)	Despite highest single-hit damage, the extremely slow swing speed makes it nearly impossible to land hits in competitive play

Utility Weapons Tier Rankings

S+ Tier — Essential Utilities

Weapon	Damage	Effect	Cooldown	Price	How to Get
Molotov	Area DoT	Fire blocks corridors, forces repositioning	—	—	Shop
Medkit	Healing	Sustain for prolonged engagements	—	—	Shop
Freeze Ray	0 damage	3.00s freeze duration, 1 ammo	—	45 Keys	Shop

Freeze Ray — The Enabler: Instant 3-second crowd control that enables guaranteed follow-up kills. Pair with any high-damage primary for devastating combos. The Freeze Ray + Shotgun strategy is one of the most effective in the game.

Molotov — Area Denial: Blocks corridors and forces enemies to reposition. Essential on small maps where there are limited escape routes.

S Tier — Strong Tactical Options

Weapon	Effect	Charges	Lifetime	Price	How to Get
Grenade	Reliable explosive area damage	—	—	Free	Starter weapon
Jump Pad	Movement utility (vertical plays)	3 charges	90s	9 Jump Shards	Shop
Satchel	Explosive charge with delayed detonation	—	—	—	Shop
Smoke Grenade	Vision blocking for escapes	—	—	—	Shop

A Tier — Situational but Useful

Weapon	Effect	Duration	Cooldown	Price	How to Get
War Horn	+25% speed boost (global, team)	6s	45s	30 Keys	Shop
Subspace Tripmine	Proximity explosive trap	—	—	—	Shop
Flashbang	Blinds and disorients enemies	—	—	—	Shop

B Tier — Fun but Unreliable

Weapon	Effect	Issue
RNG Dice	Random effects	Unpredictable — unreliable for competitive play

Best Loadouts by Playstyle

All-Rounder (Ranked Meta)

Slot	Weapon	Why
Primary	Permafrost	Meta-defining control + damage
Secondary	Uzi	Covers close-range gaps
Melee	Katana	Bullet deflect for survival
Utility	Medkit	Sustain for long engagements

Cost: ~730 Keys. This is the loadout you’ll see in high-level ranked matches.

Aggressive / Rusher

Slot	Weapon	Why
Primary	Paintball Gun	Fast fire rate for aggressive tracking
Secondary	Uzi	Maximum close-range DPS
Melee	Scythe	Dash mobility for closing gaps
Utility	Molotov	Area denial for pushes

Cost: ~495 Keys. Rush enemies down before they can react.

Defensive / Counter-Player

Slot	Weapon	Why
Primary	Sniper or Crossbow	Long-range pick potential
Secondary	Revolver	High burst damage to punish pushes
Melee	Katana	Deflect incoming bullets
Utility	Grenade or Freeze Ray	Area control

Cost: ~120-145 Keys. Hold angles, pick off enemies from distance.

Budget / Beginner (Under 50 Keys)

Slot	Weapon	Why
Primary	Assault Rifle	Free, reliable at all ranges
Secondary	Handgun	Free, decent backup
Melee	Fists	Free, buffed to 35 damage
Utility	Grenade	Free, reliable explosive

Cost: 0 Keys (all starter weapons). Upgrade to Shotgun (20 Keys) + Uzi (15 Keys) as your first purchases.

Map-Specific Loadouts

Map Type	Primary	Secondary	Melee	Utility
Close-quarters (Backrooms)	Shotgun	Uzi	Chainsaw	Molotov
Long-range (Bridge)	Sniper	Revolver	Katana	Grenade
Vertical (Graveyard)	RPG	Uzi	Scythe	Jump Pad
Arena/Symmetric	Permafrost	Uzi	Katana	Medkit

Season 3 (Update 20) Balance Changes

The April 24, 2026 “Collapse” update brought significant weapon adjustments:

Weapon	Change	Impact
Assault Rifle	Damage 13→12, fire rate 0.11s→0.10s	Net neutral — slightly better for tracking
Burst Rifle	Body damage 20→18 (Lucky Update, March 2026)	Reduced close-range burst lethality
Energy Rifle	Damage 15→20	Significant buff, moves up tier
Gunblade	Swordsmanship 50→35, shots 8→12	Redistributed damage profile
Bow	Hitscan → projectile; charge multipliers 50/100/150/240% → 100/125/150/200%	Major gameplay change; more consistent but lower peak
Energy Pistols	Equip cooldown 0.45s→0.60s, slight damage decrease	Still S tier but slightly harder to switch to
Fists	Damage 30→35	Now viable in skilled hands

New Season 3 Weapons:

Spear: New melee with throw mechanic (25/50 damage, 80 knockback)
Grappler: New mobility utility weapon

Weapon Price Guide

How to Earn Keys

Method	Keys Earned	Notes
Playing matches	Based on performance (kills, wins, assists)	Consistent income
Daily Tasks	2-5 Keys per task	Complete every session
Codes	1-5 Keys per code	Redeem in Shop (check for new codes regularly)
Season Pass	10-20 Skin Tickets + Keys per season	Free and Premium tracks
Ranked Contracts	Bonus Keys for ranked performance	Higher rank = more Keys

Key Bundles (Robux)

Bundle	Robux	Keys	Extras
Key Bundle	49	10	—
Mega Key Bundle	199	40	1x Charm Capsule
Super Key Bundle	449	90	3x Charm Capsules
Ultra Key Bundle	2,199	450	15x Charm Capsules, 5x Wrap Box 3s
Legendary Key Bundle	4,999	1,100	40x Charm Capsules, 15x Wrap Box 3s, 5x Luxurious Wraps

Recommended Purchase Priority

Priority	Weapon	Cost	Reason
1	Uzi	15 Keys	Best secondary, huge DPS upgrade
2	Shotgun	20 Keys	Devastating close-range
3	Knife	20 Keys	Fast TTK melee upgrade
4	Burst Rifle	25 Keys	Accurate burst damage
5	Revolver	25 Keys	High burst secondary
6	RPG	25 Keys	Area denial and mobility
7	Crossbow	35 Keys	Mobile sniper, no dropoff
8	Katana	~45 Keys	Bullet deflect — game-changing
9	Scythe	~40 Keys	Best mobility melee
10	Sniper	75 Keys	One-shot potential

Pro Tip: Skip cosmetics entirely until you have all the weapons you want. Every Key spent on a wrap is a Key not spent on a weapon that directly improves your gameplay.

FAQ

Q: What’s the best weapon in RIVALS right now? A: Permafrost is the undisputed #1. Its freeze/slow mechanic combined with 2-round burst fire gives it unmatched time-to-kill at mid range. It’s the cornerstone of competitive play.

Q: What’s the best weapon for beginners? A: The Assault Rifle (free, default) is the best starting weapon. It’s reliable at all ranges and forgiving for new players. Once you earn Keys, upgrade to the Burst Rifle (25 Keys) for better accuracy and burst damage.

Q: Is the Paintball Gun better than the Assault Rifle? A: At higher skill levels, yes. The Paintball Gun’s 22 damage and faster fire rate reward good tracking aim. However, the Assault Rifle’s consistency and ammo pool make it more forgiving for newer players.

Q: Which melee weapon should I buy first? A: The Knife (20 Keys) is the best value — fast attack speed, +10% move speed, and the best pure damage TTK. If you prefer aggressive play, the Scythe (~40 Keys) with its dash ability is worth the extra cost.

Q: Is the Katana really worth buying for bullet deflect? A: Absolutely. The Katana’s deflect ability can turn entire fights. A well-timed deflect against an Assault Rifle or Permafrost user can save your life and create an opening for a counter-attack. It’s one of the most skill-expressive weapons in the game.

Q: What’s the best utility weapon? A: Freeze Ray for crowd control — a 3-second freeze enables guaranteed follow-up kills. Molotov for area denial on small maps. Medkit for sustain in long engagements. The best choice depends on your playstyle.

Q: How many Keys do I need to get all weapons? A: Approximately 740 Keys for all standard weapons and 2,025 Keys for all Prime weapons. Contraband weapons (Permafrost, Distortion) cost 700 Keys each.

Q: What changed in the Season 3 (Update 20) patch? A: Almost every weapon received balance changes. Key changes: Assault Rifle damage nerfed (13→12) but fire rate buffed (0.11s→0.10s), Burst Rifle body damage nerfed (20→18), Energy Rifle damage buffed (15→20), Bow changed from hitscan to projectile, and new weapons Spear and Grappler were added.

Next Steps

Want more RIVALS content? Check out our other guides:

RIVALS Beginner Guide — Complete walkthrough for new players
Fisch Beginner Guide — Complete walkthrough for the popular Roblox fishing game
Pressure Beginner Guide — Survive the Hadal Blacksite
Browse all guides — See our full collection of Roblox game guides

Disclaimer: This tier list is based on the RIVALS game state as of May 2026 (Season 3, Update 20). Game updates may change weapon stats, add new weapons, or retire existing ones. Always check the official RIVALS Wiki for the most up-to-date information.

Sources:

Quick Summary: Top 5 Best Weapons in RIVALS#

Understanding Weapon Stats#

Primary Weapons Tier Rankings#

S+ Tier — The Meta Kings#

S Tier — Elite Performers#

A+ Tier — Strong Competitive Picks#

A Tier — Solid and Reliable#

B+ Tier — Niche and Map-Dependent#

A Tier — Competitive Secondary Weapons#

S Tier — Melee Weapons#

A Tier — Melee Weapons#

B Tier — Situational Melee#

C Tier — Avoid in Competitive Play#

Utility Weapons Tier Rankings#

S+ Tier — Essential Utilities#

S Tier — Strong Tactical Options#

A Tier — Situational but Useful#

B Tier — Fun but Unreliable#

Best Loadouts by Playstyle#

All-Rounder (Ranked Meta)#

Aggressive / Rusher#

Defensive / Counter-Player#

Budget / Beginner (Under 50 Keys)#

Map-Specific Loadouts#

Season 3 (Update 20) Balance Changes#

Weapon Price Guide#

How to Earn Keys#

Key Bundles (Robux)#

Recommended Purchase Priority#

FAQ#

Next Steps#