7 Days to Die: Guns and Ranged Weapons Tier List

7 Days to Die: Guns and Ranged Weapons Tier List

As a seasoned survivor of the zombie-infested wasteland that is 7 Days to Die, I can confidently say that the ranged arsenal at my disposal has been a game changer. From the humble beginnings of crafting a simple crossbow, to the exhilarating power of a machine gun, every weapon has its place in this brutal world.


In the current 1.0 build of 7 Days to Die, the era of muskets and throwable spears, which were common in earlier alpha versions, has passed. However, an array of ranged weapons and firearms remains available for players to select. Thus, during the Blood Moon horde night in 7 Days to Die, it is advisable for players to carry a few ranged weapons to handle any chaotic situations that may arise.

In the game ‘7 Days to Die’, while the categories among ranged weapons aren’t as complex as those for melee weapons, it often comes down to individual playing styles. There isn’t one specific type of ranged weapon that stands out as the best choice, or ‘meta’. Nevertheless, when evaluating different ranged weapons based on their related skills and perks, there can be significant differences in investment cost.

S-Tier Guns in 7 Days to Die

  • Bows/Crossbows
  • Machine Guns
  • Shotguns

Bows/Crossbows: The main benefits of using bows and crossbows in the game 7 Days to Die are that it’s simple to create their initial ammunition, and stealth characters excel greatly with them. In the early stages of the game, these weapons can significantly help you navigate the difficulty curve. However, as the game progresses and stealth isn’t always feasible, bows and crossbows usually fall behind most other ranged weapons, even if players have upgraded their equipment and honed their skills extensively in the late game.

High-Capacity Full-Auto Machine Guns: In a zombie apocalypse scenario, these rapid-fire weapons with large ammo capacities are a dependable choice for long-range combat. A minor upgrade in the Machine Gunner skill within the Fortitude tree can significantly boost their damage output and reload speed, making them highly effective at dealing continuous damage.

In the game “7 Days to Die,” Shotguns, despite having distance limitations, are comparable to machine guns when it comes to effectiveness against zombies with just a bit of investment in enhancing their reload speed. However, the early tiers of shotguns (like the pipe and double-barrel) may not perform as well, creating a steep learning curve for players. Upgrading to a pump or auto shotgun, either through looting or purchasing from traders, is usually a significant step in game progression.

A-Tier Guns in 7 Days to Die

  • Handguns
  • Rifles

Silenced Pistols: Unlike other firearms, silencers can be effectively used on pistols, though they don’t naturally boost stealth damage like bows or crossbows. However, a silenced pistol is an excellent choice for stealth-focused players. Furthermore, developing skills related to handguns offers a wide range of options, as the category encompasses not just standard pistols but also SMGs, magnums, and even the desert vulture hand cannon. This means that players can broaden their arsenal without spreading skill points excessively across various skill trees.

In the realm of firearms within the game “7 Days to Die,” rifles stand out as potentially more beneficial in Player versus Player (PvP) scenarios, due largely to their superior range. This advantage is not as significant in Player versus Environment (PvE), at least for now, until non-player character raiders are introduced into the game. Nevertheless, it’s worth noting that rifles hold the highest per-shot damage among all firearms, making them exceptionally effective against powerful zombies. In terms of ammo efficiency, they outperform other ranged weapon types when dealing with these undead foes.

B-Tier Guns in 7 Days to Die

  • Rocket Launchers

In the game 7 Days to Die, Rocket Launchers serve as an effective tool for managing crowds when it comes to handling large groups of enemies. However, their ammunition can be quite expensive and there’s a risk of unintended consequences such as damaging loot containers or causing friendly fire. Once players have overcome the cost issue, rockets become a thrilling option for Blood Moon horde nights or attacking other players’ bases in 7 Days to Die‘s PvP servers. But it should be noted that they are not particularly useful in everyday situations.

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2024-08-04 14:33