With Epic constantly funneling new weapons (or removing old ones) into Fortnite’s Battle Royale mode, pro players and casual fans alike are constantly trying to figure out what guns are worth using.
With Season 6 finally here, we thought it would be a good time to get everyone up to speed on what we think the best guns in the game are.
It always boils down to the guns that are either overpowered or “only good for the ammo next to it” so I have compiled a list of 15 OP weapons and 15 that you probably shouldn’t use. Before we jump in, let it be known that this list is aimed at the more casual players (I got you fam). Some of the guns that I recommend not using can indeed be good when placed in the right situation and right hands. One weapon, in particular, is actually listed in both my overpowered and don’t use categories. So keep an eye out for that one!
If you disagree with my list, consider it a good thing.
I have determined the order of each category based on my play style/what I feel comfortable with. With so many weapons in the game, people are beginning to branch out and find their own niche weapon preferences that really work for them... but not at all for others. There is no longer an “ultimate gun” that everyone should use, which has really pushed Fortnite into a diverse fan base. Even my top overpowered choice is arguably despised by a friend of mine. I would love to hear what everyone would choose for their best and worst 15 weapons!
One last thing, here are some honorable mentions to the items that got vaulted in the Season 6 patch: Suppressed Submachine Gun, Light Machine Gun, and Remote Explosives, along with other non-weapons such as the impulse grenade and bouncers.
30 OP: Blue Tactical Shotgun
Although the blue tactical shotgun isn't exactly your pedestal worthy "overpowered" weapon, it still has solid dps and easy to learn mechanics.
Even if you miss your first shot, you still have a chance to give out some damage — unlike other shotguns such as the pump.
The tactical pretty much gives you eight chances to hit your shots, which is why it's an effective shotgun for players who aren't good in those "running in circles while jumping and trying to dodge literally everything" moments.
29 Don't Use: Grey Pistol
This is another grey gun that is similar in comparison to the revolver, but also merits its own entry. The difference with the pistol is that it is much easier to use than a revolver due to its quicker fire rate and magazine size. It has a lower damage than the revolver used to, but more chances of firing enough to hit your enemy. Even though it is slightly better than the revolver, it still isn’t something you should use unless you have no other choice.
28 OP: Blue Pump Shotgun
Who remembers the days when this was the best shotgun you could use? Especially with the double pump strategy that was all the rage.
Regardless of all the new shotguns in the game, this bad boy is still an effective and perfectly useable weapon.
If you aren’t a fan of the way the heavy shotgun or double barrel shoots, then keep with this original one and you should be fine. However, there are better shotguns out there, so try to use them instead.
27 Don't Use: Grey Burst Assault Rifle
I have a sore spot for burst assault rifles. I must admit that the recent update to first shot accuracy now being the “first two shots accuracy” is something that really moved me in my opinion… enough to reward the Burst Assault Rifle a slightly better spot on the Don’t Use section. Regardless of your first two shots, this is still a grey weapon, and therefore doesn’t have good damage.
26 OP: Bolt Action Sniper
This is another memorable mention, like the blue pump shotgun.
It used to be the best sniper in the game, up until the heavy sniper came and took its place.
Both have their pros and cons, but the damage of the heavy sniper is much more worth mastering the weapon over. The bolt is still very good, miles better than the semi-auto sniper. It is one of those guns that players already should know how to use, and therefore might be worth picking up over the heavy during the try-hard games.
25 Don't Use: Grey Tactical Shotgun
This early game shotgun is definitely on the border of my Don’t Use List, because it is good in those VERY early game fights where you’re stuck in a house with a stranger trying to fight you. But seriously: Why shouldn’t you use this gun? It’s undeniably the worst shotgun in the game. Anything is better, enough said. Get what you can out of it — and then get rid of it ASAP.
24 OP: Legendary Burst Assault Rifle (The Pros)
This is a very arguable weapon. Lots of people are loving it now because of the two-shot accuracy, but those people usually have amazing aim.
Some players can really abuse the two-shot accuracy and manage to pop off two (sometimes all three) headshots for some serious damage.
Another group that is benefiting from the two-shot accuracy would be the console players. Auto aim really helps land those tough burst shots. Regardless, it’s still a hard weapon to handle for those who are not Yung Gods.
23 Don't Use: Grey Submachine Gun
Unlike the burst assault rifle, I like this type of weapon. Back before the overhaul, they were my go to! Obviously, I preferred the green, blue and purple SMGs, but I still picked this guy up over the grey tactical shotgun. Why? Because it rewarded those who weren’t as good at hitting their shots first try. I always had bad aim with shotguns unless I was shooting from point blank, so I went with something a little more sprayable... even if it was dubbed the “pea shooter” by Fortnite players.
22 OP: Double Pistol
This is the sole redeeming weapon for pistols in the game. It has good damage, and the ability to shoot twice (like the burst) can do some big damage if you are either lucky or have aim bot blood in your veins. Not to mention it has a very satisfying sound when it shoots.
The issue here always boils down to inventory space.
It is still lower on the list of Over Powered weapons because there are still guns that I think you should use instead.
21 Don't Use: Semi-Auto Sniper Rifle
Again, this is a good sniper if you don’t have any other options. But the damage it rewards you isn’t quite worth the “multiple chances” you get to snipe someone. You are better off learning how to use the bolt or the heavy sniper, because those reward you with much better damage when you hit your shots. Also, between the different scoped assault rifles, I would sooner pick up one of those than this semi-auto. This gun is expendable and replaceable.
20 OP: Heavy Shotgun
I had a hard time placing the heavy shotgun in comparison to the double barrel. I originally wanted to place it above due to its higher headshot damage, but we all know how hard that is to achieve in a shotgun battle… so here we are.
It is still an amazing shotgun, doing crazy damage in just one shot...
But it doesn’t have that chance to do immediate damage in its second shot, so you will need to switch to something with higher damage per second to finish the player.
19 Don't Use: Grenades
Grenades are another throwable weapon that inflicts damage on the enemy. I included grenades on my Don’t Use List because I feel that there are better versions worth holding onto. As for the grenade, you have to aim the thing, and time it in a way where it actually explodes while the other player is still near it. They bounce, roll and explode away from where you were hoping to hit. Save yourself and carry healing or shields instead.
18 OP: Rocket Launcher
This is another age-old weapon, as it has been in the game since release. To this day, it still is a fierce weapon that can be abused in many ways.
There have been countless cases of people getting a victory royale by simply using the rocket launcher at medium or even close range.
The reason I put it higher on the list is because you can’t destroy it like the guided missile. If it is coming at you, then you either should run or try to build in front of yourself for protection.
17 Don't Use: Suppressed Pistol
Moving away from the grey weapons and into the more controversial ones, I personally would suggest not using the suppressed pistol… even if you happen across a legendary one.
With the release of the suppressed assault rifle, there really is no point to using this weapon anymore.
It has a big recoil, and the damage drop off doesn’t make it worth using long range. Plus, there are much better guns to use short and medium range. Just move on and save your ammo for something more effective.
16 OP: Compact Submachine Gun
I have used the submachine gun since before the buffs and new compact guns came into the game. This weapon has finally made a place for itself. They are great to use because of their rapid-fire rate, which helps players who can’t aim under pressure.
If you don’t believe you can land those shotgun shots, then I would recommend using this gun.
My advice would be to never get too close to your opponent because they can easily down you with a point-blank shot before you have the time to do enough damage.
15 Don't Use: Hand Cannon
This is an accuracy dependent weapon with high damage but slow speed. Overall it isn't a bad weapon, and wasn't even on my list until Season 6 released. But now, with the removal of other guns like the suppressed SMG and LMG... I needed to rethink my standards.
Only if you are one of those OG Revolver Snipe Lords should you use this gun.
Another issue is that the hand cannon uses heavy bullets, which are more importantly used for longer range weapons such as sniper rifles. Keep late-game in mind and save your bullets.
14 OP: Scoped Assault Rifle
This gun really came into fruition when the reticle was changed to be more accurate. It is great for the range that’s slightly too far to hit your shots (thanks bloom) with a regular AR, and sometimes even for longer range if you don’t have the best accuracy with a sniper.
Not to mention the satisfying sound it makes when you shoot it.
Damage wise, it isn’t the best, but that’s because you should be able to get a few hits in on your opponent and build up that damage. It isn’t a one-shot wonder.
13 Don't Use: Stink Bomb
These are arguably useful weapons, but only in very specific situations. The stink bomb is good for smoking out the enemy or creating a sort of impassable area to hinder movement during a fight. Unfortunately, you can only hold stacks of 5, and they only do 10 damage per tick.
They were fun when they first came out, but now they’re just a waste of inventory space.
Epic needs to find a way to make throwable weapons fit in the inventory like traps… otherwise, players won’t use them.
12 OP: Thermal Scoped Assault Rifle
This gun is great for its ability to see thermal silhouettes of other players. You can even see things like chests, loot crates, C4, and llamas! Unfortunately, you can’t see through solid walls, but you should be able to see through built ones.
It’s the perfect weapon for a player that isn’t the best at those fights where everyone hides in their forts.
It also does better damage than the regular scoped AR for both body and headshots. A headshot can cause 72-74 damage. Get two or three in a row and you’re golden.
11 Don't Use: Clingers
I almost feel bad for including these on my Don’t Use List. They are super fun to mess around with, because of their sound effects and creative look. However, when it comes to landing them on an enemy, you shouldn’t hold your breath. Sticking a clinger to another player pretty much means downing them as soon as it explodes.
Be warned before you PLUNGE into battle with this in hand.
If you don’t land it then you may as well be using the C4, but with the added timer before it explodes.