Atomic Heart‘s twelve weapons can be crafted and are commonly split between ammo-based, energy-based, and melee types. Even though they’re all viable in this single-player adventure, some have distinct advantages over others. We’re breaking them all down into a tier list of the best weapons in Atomic Heart.
Atomic Heart S-Tier Weapons
Zvezdochka
Image via Focus Entertainment
- Weapon Type: Melee
Sitting comfortably at the top is the Zvezdochka. A saw attached to the end of a driveshaft makes for a deadly weapon and that’s reflected by it having the highest melee damage output.
Additional upgrades will make up for its slow speed by adding another disc and a ranged alt-fire that will shoot the spinning saws in front of you for a few seconds before they return.
KS-23
Image via Focus Entertainment
- Weapon Type: Ammo-based
What might be best about the KS-23 is that it’ll be the first gun you find and it can help carry you throughout the rest of your adventure. It boasts a lot of damage by default and upgrades will make up for its low ammo count and firing speed.
Whether it’s one enemy or six, this shotgun has you covered. The increased spread also makes it a must for use with cartridges.
Railgun
Image via Focus Entertainment
- Weapon Type: Energy-based
The Railgun just barely edges its way in and although it doesn’t feature any upgrades, you’ll understand why once you try it. This gun is a powerhouse that will take down multiple enemies in one shot.
Being energy-based works in its favor since you won’t have to worry about searching for RNG ammo drops. Pairing it with a decent melee weapon also ensures you can recharge fast.
A-Tier
Kalash
Image via Focus Entertainment
- Weapon Type: Ammo-based
You might think the Kalash comes with a detriment of low damage or bad accuracy. As expected for an assault rifle weapon, that’s true.
However, you’re likely to not notice any faults at all. This assault rifle will shred all enemies in front of you and the upgrades will only increase its capabilities and optimal range of use.
Electro
Image via Focus Entertainment
- Weapon Type: Energy-based
The Electro is the first energy-based weapon you’ll come across. It proves to be an immense help from the beginning as you fight against waves of robots.
If you like it enough, it’s worth holding onto. Upgrades keep it viable even in the latter parts of Atomic Heart and can even provide an AoE alt-fire that will stun enemies.
Pashtet
Image via Focus Entertainment
- Weapon Type: Melee
Power melee weapons can come with the caveat of slow swipes. If speed is more your thing, the Pashtet will satisfy you with the quickest melee speed available.
The lower damage output can also be mitigated with the right upgrades and with it being one-handed you can use your polymer abilities at the same time.
Fat Boy
Image via Focus Entertainment
- Weapon Type: Ammo-based
Who doesn’t love a rocket launcher? The Fat Boy’s explosive power is highly effective against most bosses and it can be upgraded with homing or trap mine projectiles.
Ammo is scarce, but you won’t need much of it anyway when you pull this out.
B-Tier
Swede
Image via Focus Entertainment
- Weapon Type: Melee
The first melee weapon you find is well-rounded and powerful. It can be of use in nearly every situation.
Two unique charge attacks and a variety of other upgrades further maintain its viability. This is something you can carry into the endgame.
Dominator
Image via Focus Entertainment
Weapon Type: Energy-based
While the Dominator isn’t a bad weapon, the drawbacks are telling. It’s not as strong as the Railgun, but it does use up a lot of energy.
Upgrades will help with this thankfully. You’ll also find it shines against boss fights and large groups of enemies with its AoE alt-fire.
Snowball
Image via Focus Entertainment
- Weapon Type: Melee
This melee weapon is the second strongest and you can find the blueprints for it early on as you’re exploring.
The Snowball takes a while before it will make contact, but the impact is well worth it. Upgrading will help, although there are better melee weapons to use later.
MP
Image via Focus Entertainment
- Weapon Type: Ammo-based
There’s nothing quite as basic as a handgun and the MP does its job well whenever you need a quick and accurate weapon. Stronger enemies and bosses make a hard case for not bringing it around though.
Upgrading always helps, but after a while, this might be better relegated to be used while exploring the open world of Facility 3826.
Fox
Image via Focus Entertainment
- Weapon Type: Melee
The Fox isn’t terrible, but it does sit at the bottom. It has uses in the first half since it’s quicker than the Swede and is one-handed.
After you explore a little more though, everything else will outclass it and even the Swede will feel better after upgrading.
That’s our tier list of the best weapons in Atomic Heart. If you’d like to learn of additional ways to better take on the dangers in Facility 3826, check out our selection of Atomic Heart guides and tips.
