We've avoided creating any Tier Lists for Dune Awakening so far, partially because the game is still so new but also because different weapons shine in different scenarios.
However it's clear now, after a few Deep Desert resets, that there is a significant disparity in power level between the different weapons in Dune Awakening, so we've created this Tier List to help you think about which Schematics are worth pushing for in the Deep Desert or the Landsraad.
Note: This Tier List will be a living Tier List, updated as we have the opportunity to try new weapons (when they appear in the Deep Desert Loot Tables).
Dune Awakening Best Weapons - Tier List
The following Tier List is focused solely on Mk6 Unique weapons, the highest tier, and most powerful weapons in the game.
S-Tier Discussion
The Ancient Way
Source, stats & crafting info available at our The Ancient Way database page.
This Rocket Launcher is an incredible weapon that fires rockets which can lock-on, making it much easier to take down or seriously damage ornithopters from the ground.
This weapon is one of the few ways in the game that you can actually fight back in PVP against players in ornithopters and for that reason cements itself as one of the most unique and powerful weapons in the game, an easy S-Tier choice.
Replica Pulse-sword
Source, stats & crafting info available at our Replica Pulse-sword database page.
Melee weapons in general are extremely powerful in Dune Awakening, both in PVE and in PVP, thanks to their ability to deal huge damage through shields.
The Replica Pulse-sword has the highest damage of any melee weapon in the game and provides a small Stamina boost on its parry. For PVE content, there is no better melee weapon.
Halleck's Pick
Source, stats & crafting info available at our Halleck's Pick database page.
Sticking with melee weapons, next we have Halleck's Pick. Although it doesn't have quite the same amount of damage as the Replica Pulse-sword, it has a faster attack speed and most importantly, applies poison on hit.
Poison is a very powerful effect in Dune Awakening, especially in PVP, so being able to rack up those poison stacks can be the difference between life or death.
Cauterizer
Source, stats & crafting info available at our Cauterizer database page.
Similar to Halleck's Pick, the Cauterizer is an extremely powerful melee weapon not only because of its great damage and attack speed, but because it applies fire damage on hit.
As with poison, once applied, a Fire Damage DoT bypasses shields which can be incredibly useful in all content types but especially in PVP.
Dunewatcher
Source, stats & crafting info available at our Dunewatcher database page.
Dunewatcher is the most powerful Spitdart in the game, a sniper with huge damage that also applies poison on hit. This is one of few ranged weapons that excels in both PVE and PVP.
Black Market K-28 Lasgun
Source, stats & crafting info available at our Black Market K-28 Lasgun database page.
We included this in S-Tier because, for its intended purpose, it cannot be matched. The Lasgun is the best weapon in the game for structural damage and therefore almost essential for challenging PVP base raids. It also deals pretty decent vehicle damage too but drains your Power on use so has limited effectiveness in player or vehicle combat.
There are two Lasguns in the game and this is the more powerful of the two, the other can be obtained for free by completing the Cutting Edge Quest.
A-Tier Discussion
Regis Tripleshot Repeating Rifle
Source, stats & crafting info available at our Regis Tripleshot Repeating Rifle database page.
Similar to Dunewatcher, it is the poison effect applied by this powerful Spitdart rifle that lands it firmly in the A-tier. The horizontal pattern and lower damage profile mean that the Dunewatcher will outclass it for most content but it's still an exceptional ranged weapon.
Shellburster
Source, stats & crafting info available at our Shellburster database page.
The Shellburster is an enhanced GRDA-44 Shotgun (Scattergun). It fires 6 bullets per shot in a wide burst but with one crucial difference, the Shellburster fires incendiary rounds which apply Fire Damage on hit. Elemental effects are powerful in Dune Awakening as the damage goes through shields so this weapon earns its spot in the A-tier.
Replica Pulse-knife
Source, stats & crafting info available at our Replica Pulse-knife database page.
Similar to the Replica Pulse-sword, this weapon grants a minor stamina boost on a successful parry. However it is really the huge damage boost this Pulse-knife gains over it's standard Mk6 crafted equivalent that makes it so powerful. In most cases you'd rather have the Replica Pulse-sword but you can't go wrong with any of the Mk6 unique melee weapons, including this.
Feyd's Drinker
Source, stats & crafting info available at our Feyd's Drinker database page.
Almost identical in stats to the Replica Pulse-knife, but slightly worse since the unique effect is of limited value. Feyd's Drinker automatically harvests blood when you hit enemies, which can be stored in a blood bag. You will always (or should always) have a stacked Literjon with you so unless you are trying to optimize for weight then you're not likely to get much use out of this, but again the damage is excellent.
