The Outer Worlds Unique Ranged Weapon Tier List

The Outer Worlds has a vast amount of unique ranged weaponry. These weapons can be powerful tools for dealing damage, and the fun doesn’t stop there. Part of what distinguishes unique ranged weapons from other weapons in The Outer Worlds is their many mods and special effects.

What makes unique ranged weapons so effective in combat is their many unique traits and status effects. These cool sci-fi weapons may appear ordinary, but after revealing their somewhat hidden special effects, their true quality stands out above most regular weaponry.

S-Tier

The Outer Worlds 2 Reveal Trailer Science Weapon

Almost all of the top-tier unique ranged weapons inflict at least one debuff or status effect. These weapons are among the best ranged weapons in The Outer Worlds.

Needless to say, these weapons are the best tools for the job, so they might not be available until late in the game. By that point, players will likely have invested their skills in different The Outer Worlds character builds that favors any or all weapon types, so these weapons will be more than capable of getting the job done.

Agony

15% increased fire rate
25% increased range
Weapon effect: Execute
Shots inflict Poison

Doctor's Orders

Damage type: N-Ray
Weapon effect: Stagger
Damage increases as player health decreases

Infested Flechette Gun

Damage type: Corrosion
25% reduced weapon spread
80% reduced weapon sway
Weapon effect: Knockback
Shots reduce target’s armor

Lucky

25% increased critical damage
Weapon effect: Knockback
Non-critical hits increase critical damage until a critical hit is landed and resets the buff

Most Dangerous Game

25% reduced weapon spread
80% reduced weapon sway
15% of damage negates armor
Weapon effect: Stagger
Shooting legs will cripple them

Purpleberry Launch

Damage type: N-Ray
Weapon effect: Burn
Shoots area-of-effect N-Ray projectiles

Recharge

Damage type: Shock
Weapon effect: Stun
Shots grant Tactical Time Dilation ability energy

Salvager's Helper

Damage type: Corrosion
Weapon effect: Bleed

A-Tier

Much like the best unique melee weapons in The Outer Worlds, this tier of weapons still provides powerful special effects in combination with high damage output. The special effects and status effects on these weapons can mostly be replicated, but only with mod investment. Consequently, these weapons are a good backup plan for any kind of playstyle.

Contraband

90% reduced firing noise
Weapon effect: Stagger

Coolant Distributor

Damage type: Cold
Weapon effect: Chilled

Flurry

50% increased magazine capacity
15% increased fire rate
Weapon effect: Knockback
Rate of fire continuously increases

Frigidariator

Damage type: Cold
15% of damage negates armor
Weapon effect: Stagger

Irion's Flintlock

Weapon effect: Stagger
Fires two bullets at once and deals increased critical damage

Nova Burst

Damage type: N-Ray
Weapon effect: Stagger

Phin's Phorce

Damage type: N-Ray
25% increased critical damage
Weapon effect: Stagger
Burst fire

Pink Slip

15% of damage negates armor
Weapon effect: Execute
Deals increased critical damage

Thunder

Damage type: Shock
Weapon effect: Stagger
Deals increased critical damage

B-Tier

The B-Tier unique ranged weapons are still worthy of the unique gradient since they come with worthwhile special effects, even though they can be outclassed. These weapons shouldn’t be neglected, as they could make great tools in the hands of the companions in The Outer Worlds, where the player could still make secondhand use of their special effects.

Fiver

25% increased weapon range
Weapon effect: Knockback
Uses Heavy ammunition

Hand Cannon

Weapon effect: Knockout
Shots will damage enemies near the target

Medal of Honor

25% reduced weapon spread
80% reduced weapon sway
50% increased magazine capacity
15% of damage negates armor
Weapon effect: Stagger

Pauper Popper

Damage type: Plasma
Weapon effect: Burn
Weapon can’t be charged but fires faster

Plasma Propulsion Pack

Damage type: Plasma
50% increased magazine capacity
Weapon effect: Burn
Has reduced range, but increased damage

Short Circuit

Damage type: Shock
Weapon effect: Knockback
Shots can make automechanical targets frenzy

Sublight Sniper Rifle

90% reduced firing noise
15% of damage negates armor
Weapon effect: Execute

The Good Word

50% increased magazine capacity
Weapon effect: Stagger

The Negotiator

Damage type: Plasma
Weapon effect: Stagger
Fires a shotgun-like spread of bullets

C-Tier

the-outer-worlds-space-mantis-monster-screenshot-gameplay

These unique ranged weapons' special effects start to have less impact or presence. This is where The Outer Worlds’ status effects and damage types start to take the spotlight, although those components can be easily replicated.

These weapons are still relatively worthy of being unique gear in The Outer Worlds. Not too many of the unique ranged weapons are “bad,” although since unique gear can’t be modded it ultimately comes down to whether these weapons can fulfill a combat requirement that isn’t already being met. Status effects are a great way to increase survivability against different enemy types, so the unique weapons can almost always offer that capability to the player.

Anarchist's Cookbook

Damage type: Plasma
Weapon effect: Knockback

Anti-Manti Ray

Damage type: Corrosion
Weapon effect: Stagger

Burnout

Damage type: Plasma
Weapon effect: Stagger

MSI Saltuna Searer

Damage type: Plasma
Weapon effect: Burn

Rapti-don't

Damage type: Plasma
Weapon effect: Knockback

All In

Weapon effect: Stagger
Faster fire rate and increased chance to apply weapon effect on shot

The Pen

Weapon effect: Stagger
Has reduced range, but increased fire rate

D-Tier

The Outer Worlds - SAM Rushing Into Combat

Each weapon can be worthwhile in its own merit, which even applies to the weapons in the D-Tier. These weapons aren’t all underdogs, they just have few to no special traits to compare to the other unique weaponry. Since none of the weapon mods in The Outer Worlds can be applied to unique gear, these few are unfortunately as unique as they will ever be.

Having the right skills could give the weapons in this tier a moment to shine, but this could be said for a lot of weaponry. The latest Spacer’s Choice Edition of The Outer Worlds raised the level capacity to a ridiculously high level, so ultimately anyone could still make plenty of use of the D-tier unique ranged weapons.

Bursty