The best weapons in Fortnite during Chapter 3, Season 4

Fortnite’s selection of weapons varies between categories, with plenty of different arms to choose from. From the Combat SMG to the Striker Burst Rifle, there’s something to fit every playstyle. Each weapon is assigned a tier on a rarity scale, too. Whether you’re selecting an SMG or an assault rifle, all weapons will be color-coded as such:

• Gray: Common
• Green: uncommon
• Blue: rare
• Purple: epic
• Orange: Legendary
• Gold: mythical

The rarer the gun, the more damage it will do (typically). There are some exceptions to this, but if this is the case, a weapon will likely have a faster fire rate or other ability that still improves its overall damage per second (DPS). Keep this in mind when entering an engagement with another player, especially during later portions of a match. You likely won’t survive using a common rifle against a player using a rare one.

If at any time during the game you find a higher rarity tier of the weapon you’re currently using, make sure you swap out your current weapon and pick up the better color. This allows you to make sure you are maximizing your damage. Gray and green weapons are fine at the start of the match, but you should have at least blue ones by the time half of the players are eliminated.

Choosing between weapon types is more difficult. It might not be a good idea to trade a common assault rifle for an epic pistol if you know you’re about to cover some open terrain. If you have to make such a choice, think about where you plan to head next and what weapon is best suited to the terrain. Not skilled with a sniper rifle? Don’t waste the inventory space by picking it up, even if it’s legendary.

While simply stumbling upon any weapon is preferable to running around the Fortnite map wildly swinging your pickax, there are some firearms that are better than others. For instance, you should really hope you happen upon an SMG over a pistol. Likewise, you’ll need an assault rifle or sniper for those firefights that occur across long distances. The general rule of thumb is to ensure you have weapons for any situation, from close quarters to midrange and beyond.

Below are the best weapons in the game currently.

Cobra DMR

Fittingly, the Cobra DMR is a variation of the standard DMR, excellent at long-range encounters with the ability to take down opponents in just a handful of shots. This is the perfect long-range weapon, offering the qualities of a sniper but without many of the downsides. With the Cobra DMR, you can zoom in with plenty of magnification, and thanks to its semi-auto firing style, you can pull off follow-up shots in quick succession. The Cobra DMR has more ammo and shoots faster than the standard DMR, making it far more forgiving.

While the DMR doesn’t deal as much damage as a sniper, it’s far easier to use thanks to its fast rate of fire. Depending on the rarity and whether you hit the head, the Cobra DMR deals anywhere from 36 to 75 damage per shot, meaning you can eliminate a player (with full health) in four to seven shots. This is a big deal, especially if you can pull off a few shots before your opponents know where you are, making it a great long-range weapon. Sure, other rifles might be a little easier to use, but when it comes to power and precision, the Cobra DMR is the standout winner.

EvoChrome Burst Rifle

New during Season 4 are the EvoChrome weapons, which increase in rarity as you deal damage with them. Specifically, the EvoChrome Burst Rifle is a top choice thanks to its ease of use, fast fire rate, and ability to shoot four bullets after you rank it up to Epic rarity. The EvoChrome Burst Rifle is highly effective due to how versatile it is, performing well up close, at midrange, and even from afar. So, in many ways, this weapon eliminates the need to come stacked with SMGs or other close-range firearms since it holds its own up close.

This weapon deals around 24 damage per shot, but its fire rate increases as you improve its rarity, so it’ll perform better as a match goes on. We recommend getting used to the burst fire and practicing landing your shots with this weapon so you can dominate your opponents with ease. You can find this weapon (and the EvoChrome Shotgun) in areas that contain Chrome around the map.

Prime Shotgun

Sure, the DMR will keep you safe from afar, but up close, you’re going to want something that packs a bit more of a punch. For that, we recommend the Prime Shotgun, which is known for its tremendous power and ease of use. Since the Prime Shotgun uses shells instead of traditional rounds, it’s easier to deal damage since the pellets spread out, allowing you to connect without being as precise. Its fast rate of fire makes it a top choice, especially for new players.

It deals anywhere from 76 to 158 damage per shot, meaning you can secure an elimination in two to three shots up close. For any engagements at midrange, the Prime Shotgun will become significantly less effective, so try not to engage unless you’re close to your target. If you want to fire at an enemy at midrange, we advise using an SMG.

Hunter Bolt Sniper

Recently, Fortnite was updated to allow for one-hit eliminations/downs to the head with certain sniper rifles, including the Hunter Bolt Sniper. This, combined with its three-round mag, allows players to pull off shots in quick succession without needing to un-scope. So, if you’re good with a sniper, this particular meta is right up your alley, and you’ll likely perform well with the Hunter Bolt. If you miss the head but still connect, this weapon deals between 90 and 110 damage. From here, you can try to pull off an additional shot or switch to another weapon to clean up the elimination with ease.

Assault rifles

While assault rifles aren’t the most powerful set of guns in the game, they’re the most versatile. You’ve got several variants with different kinds of stopping power. They won’t take out enemies from across the map, but you’re easily covered whether you need to make a quick getaway to safety or you’re going on a run for your Victory Royale with five people left standing in your way. Just make sure to fire in short bursts, and you’ll be golden.

The best assault rifles are as follows:

• EvoChrome Burst Rifle
• Hammer Assault Rifle

shotguns

Shotguns aren’t great at range, of course, but if someone is nearby, you can rock their world with a devastating shotgun blast. They are the perfect complement to your assault rifle. Some are notably better than others, so play around to find the one that suits you best. You’ll find different categories of shotguns to choose from in the form of pump shotguns, tactical shotguns, and lever-action shotguns. The tactical shotgun is currently the best choice for players looking for a high rate of fire.

The best shotguns are as follows:

• Prime Shotgun
• Lever action shotgun

SMG’s

While not as powerful or as direct as assault rifles or shotguns, SMGs are still preferable in battle when you need something quick and light to eliminate the competition. They’re automatic, so you can hold the trigger down in a panic, and they’ll hold plenty of ammo.

They won’t do as much damage as assault rifles or shotguns, but they’re like little firecrackers that can still make for quite the party when people come to try and mess with you. Many players underrate the SMG, but it can entirely wreck a shotgun player at close range, especially if you take advantage of that weapon’s delay in shots and frequent reload time.

Here are the best SMGs:

• Rapid Fire SMG
• Suppressed SMG

Sniper rifles

Let’s face it: Not everyone can excel as a sniper. But if a sniper rifle is all you can find, use it wisely. It will require you to constantly remain on the move and on the lookout for areas in-game where you can sit and wait for passersby to pick off, but you’ll be a force to be reckoned with while hidden. These weapons can one-shot kill anyone who gets in your way with a well-placed headshot.

The best sniper is as follows:

pistols

Most pistols do meager damage, though they can be deadly when you find the right ones. They’re just a lot slower, rarely automatic, and do less damage per shot than most other weapons. Still, a pistol is better than nothing. Epic Games has added some pretty impressive pistols in the last couple of months, though only one is commonly available during Season 4.

Here is the best pistol:

Explosives and special weapons

As part of Season 4, there aren’t many explosives and special weapons to choose from — at least ones that are practical or common. Throughout past seasons, special weapons have typically been overpowered, gimmicky, or not as useful as you’d expect. Epic Games has prioritized making the traditional weapon pool more varied and effective, such as the SMGs, assault rifles, snipers, and shotguns. Still, this season features the Grapple Glove, which is a useful method of getting around the map. Likewise, the Shockwave Grenade is a highly effective tool for putting distance between you and your opponents.

Below are the recommended explosives and special weapons:

• Shockwave Grenades
• Grapple Glove

All of these recommended weapons work best for us, but ultimately, your favorite firearms will come down to preference, at least partially. If a weapon doesn’t feel good, you probably won’t like using it, no matter how much damage it deals.

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