STALKER 2 Weapon Tier List – Best Guns Ranked

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is set to bring back the eerie, immersive survival experience we all love, complete with a deadly arsenal of weapons. But in a world where every bullet counts, you need to know which guns will keep you alive and which ones will get you killed. This tier list ranks the best weapons in STALKER 2 based on damage, reliability, versatility, and availability.

STALKER 2 Weapon Tier List S-Tier – The Absolute Best

S-Tier weapons are the kings of the Zone. These guns boast the best stats, highest damage, and overall reliability in any situation.

VSS Vintorez (Silent Death)

• Why It’s S-Tier: High damage, built-in suppressor, and pinpoint accuracy make this the ultimate stealth weapon.
• Best For: Silent assassinations, sniping mutants without drawing attention.
• Downside: Hard to find and ammo is scarce.

AS VAL (Zone’s Ultimate Rifle)

• Why It’s S-Tier: Like the VSS but with full-auto capabilities, perfect for high-damage close-to-mid-range combat.
• Best For: Stealthy but aggressive playstyles.
• Downside: High recoil in full-auto, rare ammunition.

SVU Sniper Rifle (One-Shot Wonder)

• Why It’s S-Tier: Incredible range and accuracy, making it one of the best long-range options in the game.
• Best For: Picking off enemies from extreme distances.
• Downside: Slow fire rate and reload speed.

A-Tier – Powerful but Situational

A-Tier weapons are fantastic choices, but they may have minor drawbacks compared to S-Tier options.

AK-74M (Reliable Classic)

• Why It’s A-Tier: Balanced stats, common ammo, and great for mid-range engagements.
• Best For: General-purpose combat in the Zone.
• Downside: Not as powerful or accurate as high-tier weapons.

SPAS-12 (Mutant Slayer)

• Why It’s A-Tier: Devastating at close range, excellent for dealing with mutants and ambushes.
• Best For: Tight corridors and close-quarters firefights.
• Downside: Slow reload speed and limited range.

PKM Machine Gun (Bullet Storm)

• Why It’s A-Tier: Insane firepower, large magazine size, and excellent suppression capabilities.
• Best For: Holding down positions and mowing down groups of enemies.
• Downside: Extremely heavy, slow reload time.

B-Tier – Decent, But Not the Best

B-Tier weapons are usable but come with significant drawbacks that make them less ideal in high-stakes situations.

MP5 (Early Game Savior)

• Why It’s B-Tier: Decent for the early game, common ammo, and lightweight.
• Best For: Starting players who need a dependable SMG.
• Downside: Low damage, struggles against armored enemies.

SKS (Poor Man’s Sniper)

• Why It’s B-Tier: Semi-auto, decent accuracy, and packs a punch.
• Best For: Budget sniping and mid-range combat.
• Downside: Limited magazine size, slower rate of fire.

Makarov Pistol (Last Resort)

• Why It’s B-Tier: Reliable and common, but lacks stopping power.
• Best For: Emergencies when ammo for better guns runs out.
• Downside: Low damage, ineffective against armored enemies.

C-Tier – Use Only If Desperate

C-Tier weapons are situational at best and should only be used if you have no better alternatives.

Sawed-Off Shotgun (Close-Range Panic Button)

• Why It’s C-Tier: Can deal big damage up close, but extremely limited range and ammo.
• Best For: Last-ditch effort in close combat.
• Downside: Only two shots before reloading.

TT-33 Pistol (Aging Relic)

• Why It’s C-Tier: Slightly better than the Makarov but still weak.
• Best For: Desperate situations with no other guns.
• Downside: Low damage, bad against armored targets.

D-Tier – Just Avoid

D-Tier weapons are nearly useless, and you should replace them as soon as possible.

Obrez (Sawn-Off Mosin)

• Why It’s D-Tier: High damage per shot but terrible accuracy and range.
• Best For: If you have literally no other option.
• Downside: Awful reload time, terrible handling.

Rusty Makarov

• Why It’s D-Tier: Worse than the standard Makarov due to frequent jamming.
• Best For: Throwing at enemies instead of shooting.
• Downside: Practically useless.

Final Thoughts – Choose Wisely, Stalker

Survival in STALKER 2 isn’t just about firepower—it’s about strategy. While S-Tier weapons can make the game easier, ammo scarcity and weight management are critical. Always consider your playstyle, the situation, and your available resources before committing to a weapon.

Which weapon are you most excited to use in STALKER 2? Let us know in the comments!