Released in 2024, V Rising is an action role-playing survival game that has exploration and crafting elements as well. It merges several game genres into a unique playing experience, with a heavy vampire theme. The game spent two years in early access as a Microsoft Windows-only game, but was also brought to the PlayStation 5 on its full release.
A lot of the combat in V Rising is melee-oriented. However, game does have ranged weapons in the form of crossbows, longbows, and pistols. There is a lot of overlap between the two types of bows, but pistols are fairly unique in the playing style they promote.
V Rising: Best Swords, Ranked
There is a wide range of swords in V Rising, and the player will generally progress through them as they level up.
How To Use Pistols In V Rising
Pistols are not unlocked in V Rising until around the mid-game stage. Therefore, there are no bone or copper versions of pistols. This means that there are only five pairs of pistols in the game. The only ranged weapons available in the early game are the crossbow and longbow, which have their limitations, although they do have a longer range than pistols.
Pistols come as pairs, and are dual-wielded weapons. They work a little differently from the crossbow. They have a shorter range, but they do beat the crossbow in terms of burst damage. The best way to use pistols in V Rising is either for kiting enemies, or to deal a lot of damage from range before engaging with an enemy in melee combat. Many players ignore pistols, and stick purely to melee combat, but these weapons do have their uses.
5 Iron Pistols
The First Pair Of Pistols
Stats:
- Level: 15
- Power: 13.8
- Durability: 1554
Crafting requirements:
- Iron Ingot: 16
- Plank: 12
These are the basic pistols in V Rising and can only be crafted, as they do not drop as loot. In order to craft them, the player needs to unlock the recipe for these pistols, as they don't get it automatically in the same way they do for other basic weapon blueprints.
V Rising: Best Axes, Ranked
There are multiple tiers of axe weapons in V Rising, and the player will need to upgrade them as they go. Here's how they rank up.
The only way to unlock the recipe for Iron Pistols is to kill Jade the Vampire Killer, and this can be a tough fight unless the player has decent gear. She can be found at the Dunley Farmlands. She patrols the area, so some searching may be required.
4 Merciless Iron Pistols
A Basic Upgrade Pair Of Pistols
Stats:
- Level: 18
- Power: 17.3
- Durability: 1873
Crafting requirements:
- Iron Pistols: 1
- Regular Ruby: 1
- Greater Blood Essence: 4
- Reinforced Plank: 4
Merciless Iron Pistols are an upgrade to the Iron Pistols in V Rising. They use the Iron Pistols as part of the crafting recipe, so the player needs to have first crafted them before they can upgrade to the merciless version.
The recipe can only be acquired by purchasing it from the Rural Book Merchant at a cost of 64 silver coins. The crafting requirements might be a problem if the player unlocks this recipe as soon as they can at level 18. They may not have easy access to Greater Blood Essence or Reinforced Planks at this stage of the game, and may need to play a little further before crafting these.
3 Dark Silver Pistols
The First Epic Pistols
Stats:
- Level: 21
- Power: 24.3
- Durability: 2545
Crafting requirements:
- Dark Silver Ingot: 16
- Reinforced Plank: 12
Dark Silver Pistols offer a decent upgrade over the Merciless Iron Pistols. Indeed, they are an epic tier weapon, rather than a rare tier. As long as the player has access to the required materials, they won’t need to unlock a blueprint for these pistols; they will receive it automatically.
V Rising: Every Blood Power, Ranked
Blood Powers in V Rising allow them to use and obtain blood from enemies. Unlocked from killing bosses, these ones are the best of the bunch.
Dark Silver is a mid to end-game material, and can be quite hard to get at level 21. The player might need to progress a little further before they can farm enough Dark Silver to craft these pistols.
2 Sanguine Pistols
An Upgrade To The Dark Silver PIstols
Stats:
- Level: 24
- Power: 29.3
- Durability: 3037
Crafting requirements:
- Dark Silver Pistols: 1
- Flawless Ruby: 1
- Primal Blood Essence: 1
- Gold Ingot: 12
Sanguine Pistols are the upgrade path for Dark Silver Pistols that V Rising players can craft at level 24. It is questionable whether this is a worthwhile upgrade, as the extra damage these pistols provide is a little underwhelming.
The only way to get the blueprint to craft these pistols, is to locate the merchant at Treasure Hunter Trade Post and buy it for 270 Goldsun coins. The real downside with these pistols is the crafting requirements. It will take some time to farm enough Gold Ingots at level 24.
1 The Endbringers
The Best Legendary Pistols
Stats:
- Level: 30
- Power: 33.7
- +10% Weapon Skill Cooldown Recovery Rate
- +5% Movement Speed
- +50 Max Health
- Durability: 3800
Crafting requirements:
- Sanguine Pistols: 1
- The Endbringers Shard: 1
- Onyx Tear: 4
The Endbringers are the end-game pistols, and they use the Sanguine Pistols as part of the upgrade blueprint. With the excellent additional stats, these are worth crafting as soon as possible, as they provide a lot more utility.
V Rising: Every Magic Type, Ranked
This list ranks each of the 6 magic types in V Rising, determining the best overall for conquering Vardoran.
However, a V Rising player will need to farm Level 2 rift incursions to try and loot the correct legendary artifact shard. This may be quite a challenge, depending on the player’s luck. Onyx Tear should be easy to get once the player is level 30. Overall, these are the top pistols in the game, and worth the time it will take to craft them.
