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How to read these tables
Every row uses the same four fields: tier, evidence, published data and one reason. The tier is cost-adjusted value inside the class for a Season 2 kit. It is not raw damage, and it is not a cross-class ranking. The evidence label describes the strongest support for that row, not the confidence of the editor. The list is based on the released Season 2 build plus the announced Season 3 rules; it does not claim post-launch balance.
- Official means the price, role, ammunition or stated rule is published by an official source. It does not mean the weapon has been measured in your client.
- Measured means a named community test produced the property that decided the row. Two datasets are used: Nalerian's near-range damage snapshot recorded on 2026-10-15, and Swoleguy's recorded fire-rate counts from the Season 2 community sheet. The snapshot has no exact distance. The fire-rate counts were taken at 60 FPS and can carry one-frame rounding error.
- Community consensus means the row is an editorial inference from published prices, roles, weights and repeated player practice. It is not a damage claim.
Prices marked Alpha are historical catalogue values, not current vendor quotes. Prices without that marker are the final published Season 2 values. No row invents a damage number, a TTK, a penetration value or a price.
The near-range snapshot has usable measured cells for four guns: TCX-SPR, M14, PP-19 Bizon and Evo-3 Ultra. The Bushmaster M17S appears in the same table, but its cells are marked historical, so it is not used as measured evidence. A missing cell stays missing.
Assault rifles
Assault rifles are the safest cost-adjusted class because they cover most ranges and the cheapest complete kits live here.
| Tier | Weapon | Evidence | Published data | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | AK74 | Official | $800 Assault default; 5.45x39mm; 30-round magazine; 665 RPM recorded | Cheapest complete rifle kit that still leaves room for armor, medical supplies and a replacement |
| A | M4 | Measured | Alpha $2,800; 5.56x45mm; 30-round magazine; 827 RPM recorded; 2.92 kg | Highest recorded fire rate in the class and the lightest rifle body, but the price is a historical listing |
| A | TCX-SPR | Official | $3,200; 7.62x39mm; 28-round magazine; Assault 20 plus $100,000 unlock | Strong role rifle, but the measured Tier 2 upper-chest value of 17.49 sits below the M14 and the unlock is expensive |
| A | Galil | Community consensus | $2,000 official Season 2 base purchase; 5.56x45mm; 35-round magazine; 664 RPM recorded | Good magazine size for the price, but the attachment and upgrade recipe is still unverified in the current build |
| B | FAL | Community consensus | Alpha $5,500; .308 Winchester; 20-round magazine; 706 RPM recorded; 4.25 kg | Expensive, heavy and limited to a 20-round magazine; no current recoil measurement supports a higher tier |
| B | A-91 | Community consensus | Price not captured; 5.56x45mm; 20-round default; semi and burst | Adequate burst rifle, but the small default magazine and missing current price keep it below the leaders |
| B | KH-2002 | Community consensus | Price not captured; 5.56x45mm; 20-round default; semi and burst | Same practical profile as the A-91; no measured advantage that justifies an upgrade |
| B | T-21 | Community consensus | Alpha $600; 5.56x45mm; 20-round default; 780 RPM recorded | Cheap and fast, but the 20-round magazine and historical price make it a budget test rather than a proven value pick |
| C | Bushmaster M17S | Community consensus | Alpha $0 is a catalogue placeholder, not a real price; 5.56x45mm; 20-round default; semi and burst | The only near-range cells are historical, and the placeholder price cannot support a value claim |
Class verdict. The AK74 wins because it is the default-issue rifle and the cheapest route to a complete kit. The M4 is the measured fire-rate leader, but its Alpha price is not a current quote. The TCX-SPR is a good role rifle, not a universal upgrade: its measured near-range upper-chest value at Tier 2 is 17.49, against 27.02 for the M14. The Bushmaster M17S is unranked in practice until a real price and current measurement exist.
SMGs
SMGs are the close-quarters value class. The announced urban map makes this class more relevant, but the map itself is not a balance measurement.
| Tier | Weapon | Evidence | Published data | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | PP-19 Bizon | Official | $1,000 Medic default; 9x19mm; 53-round magazine; 712 RPM recorded; 2.1 kg | Official default price, the largest magazine in the class and a measured Tier 2 upper-chest value of 15.26 |
| A | MP5 | Measured | Alpha $1,500; 9x19mm; 30-round magazine; 836 RPM recorded; 2.54 kg | Reliable close-range fire rate and a standard magazine, but it costs more than the Bizon without a measured damage advantage |
| A | PP-19 Vityaz | Measured | Alpha $1,200; 9x19mm; 30-round magazine; 875 RPM recorded; 2.9 kg | Higher recorded fire rate than the MP5 for a lower Alpha price, offset by the smaller magazine and heavier body |
| A | AMP-9 | Measured | Alpha $900; 9x19mm; 30-round magazine; 945 RPM recorded; 1.4 kg | Lightest weapon in the class with a very high recorded fire rate; the historical price and low weight favor a fast kit |
| B | Super-45 | Measured | Price not captured; .45 ACP; 30-round magazine; 1,255 RPM recorded; 3 kg | Highest recorded fire rate in the class, but the missing price and .45 ammunition logistics cap the value |
Class verdict. The Bizon is the clear default: official price, 53 rounds and a measured Tier 2 value that beats the other measured 9mm option. The MP5 and Vityaz are control picks, not upgrades. The AMP-9 is the lightest and fastest of the 9mm group, but its Alpha price is not a current quote. The Super-45 has the highest recorded fire rate; without a price or ammunition-cost check, it cannot be ranked above the Bizon.
LMGs
LMGs are squad tools. They need ammunition support, a firing position and a plan for what happens after the position is revealed.
| Tier | Weapon | Evidence | Published data | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Evo-3 Ultra | Official | $7,250; .308 Winchester; 50-round magazine; Support 30 plus $200,000 unlock; 711 RPM recorded | Strong sustained-fire role rifle with a measured Tier 2 upper-chest value of 19.73, but the unlock and kit cost keep it out of S |
| B | M249 SAW | Measured | Price not captured; 5.56x45mm; 200-round default; 884 RPM recorded; 7.5 kg | The largest default belt in the class and a high recorded fire rate, offset by the missing price, weight and ammunition burden |
| B | PKM | Official | Alpha $4,500; 7.62x54mmR; 100-round default; 605 RPM recorded; 7.5 kg | The official Season 2 change cut 7.62x54mmR base damage by 20%, which weakens the old case for the PKM without a fresh measurement |
Class verdict. No LMG reaches S because every option depends on ammunition logistics and a usable firing position. The Evo-3 Ultra is the best-supported role pick. The M249 SAW remains a belt-fed suppression tool, not a solo carry. The PKM is the clearest example of why old rankings go stale: the caliber baseline moved in the Season 2 final notes.
Marksman rifles
Marksman rifles trade magazine size and cost for harder hits. The measured snapshot supports that trade at near range for the M14, but not at unknown distances.
| Tier | Weapon | Evidence | Published data | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | M14 | Measured | $7,400; .308 Winchester; 10-round magazine; Recon 25 plus $100,000 unlock; 715 RPM recorded | Highest measured upper-chest values of the four measured guns at every armor tier: 45.04 unarmored down to 18.02 at Tier 4 with FMJ |
| A | BMR-308 | Measured | Alpha $6,000; .308 Winchester; 10-round magazine; 468 RPM recorded | Good near-range damage profile for the class, but the 10-round magazine and historical price limit the complete-kit value |
| A | SVD | Measured | Alpha $4,800; 7.62x54mmR; 10-round magazine; 512 RPM recorded; 5.3 kg | Higher recorded fire rate than the BMR-308 and a lower Alpha price, but the caliber baseline was cut by 20% in the Season 2 notes |
| B | SKS | Official | Alpha $2,400; 7.62x39mm; semi-automatic; 416 RPM recorded | Cheapest marksman entry, but the official Season 2 change cut 7.62x39mm base damage by 19% and no current measured cell supports a higher tier |
Class verdict. The M14 is the measured damage leader and therefore S inside the class. That is a statement about near-range upper-chest values, not a universal best-weapon claim. Its 10-round magazine and $100,000 unlock are real costs. The BMR-308 and SVD are cheaper ways to enter the role. The SKS is a budget test, not a hidden meta pick.
Sniper rifles
No sniper rifle reaches S. The wiki has prices, roles, weights and recorded fire rates, but no current measured one-shot or penetration dataset. A sniper tier without that evidence would be a guess.
| Tier | Weapon | Evidence | Published data | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | MK22 | Community consensus | Alpha $6,400; .308 Winchester; 10-round magazine; 45 RPM recorded; 6.3 kg | Bolt-action role rifle with a usable magazine and a published Alpha price; no current measured one-shot data |
| A | SV98 | Community consensus | Alpha $5,200; 7.62x54mmR; 10-round magazine; 52 RPM recorded; 5.8 kg | Lighter and cheaper than the MK22 in the historical catalogue, with a slightly higher recorded cycle rate |
| B | Mosin Nagant | Community consensus | Alpha $4,500; 7.62x54mmR; 48 RPM recorded; 4.1 kg | Cheap bolt-action entry, but no default magazine is listed and the caliber baseline was cut by 20% |
| B | AMR 50 | Official | Alpha $8,800; .50 Cal; 5-round magazine; 55 RPM recorded; 12.5 kg | The official Season 2 change cut .50 Cal base damage by 16%; the heavy body and small magazine keep it a specialist pick |
| C | Scout Rifle TD | Community consensus | Alpha $1,100; 5.56x45mm; break-action; 16 RPM recorded | Cheap break-action trainer, but the cycle rate and single-shot flow make it a niche tool |
Class verdict. The MK22 and SV98 are the most practical bolt-action entries on paper. The Mosin is the budget route. The AMR 50 is a specialist heavy rifle whose old damage case was weakened by the official .50 Cal change. The Scout Rifle TD is a low-cost way to practise the role, not a competitive pick.
Shotguns
Shotguns are the most map-dependent class in the game. The announced Sabatulo map is described as urban and close-quarters, which could help, but no measured shotgun dataset exists in this wiki.
| Tier | Weapon | Evidence | Published data | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | M500 | Community consensus | Price not captured; 12 Gauge; semi-automatic; 95 RPM recorded; 3.52 kg | Semi-automatic flow and a published role make it the more flexible of the two, but the missing price blocks a value claim |
| C | MP43 | Community consensus | Alpha $400; 12 Gauge; break-action; 3.2 kg | Cheapest entry, but the break-action reload cycle and small effective window keep it situational |
Class verdict. The class is C overall. The M500 is the better all-round tool if the price is acceptable. The MP43 is a cheap interior weapon. Neither has a measured damage or TTK result, so neither can be promoted on the strength of the new map alone.
Sidearms
Sidearms are backup weapons. Their value comes from draw speed, magazine size and the ability to finish a fight after the primary fails.
| Tier | Weapon | Evidence | Published data | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | GGX 18 | Measured | Price not captured; 9x19mm; 17-round magazine; 1,253 RPM recorded; 0.63 kg | Highest recorded fire rate in the class and a full-auto option in a very light package |
| A | Deagle | Community consensus | Alpha $900; .50 AE; 7-round magazine; 277 RPM recorded; 2 kg | Hard-hitting niche sidearm, but the small magazine and lack of a current measured damage cell keep it below the GGX 18 |
| B | Judge | Community consensus | Alpha $250; .45 Colt; 212 RPM recorded; 0.82 kg | Cheap and light, but the fire mode was not captured and the slow recorded cycle limits follow-up |
| B | M1911 | Community consensus | Alpha $300; .45 ACP; 7-round magazine; 470 RPM recorded; 1.1 kg | A dependable cheap backup with a small magazine; no measured advantage over the 9mm options |
| C | GGX 17 | Community consensus | Price not captured; 9x19mm; 17-round magazine; 524 RPM recorded; 0.63 kg | Same light frame as the GGX 18 but semi-automatic only; the full-auto sibling is the better buy if available |
Class verdict. The GGX 18 is the best measured backup in the class. The Deagle is a deliberate niche pick. The Judge and M1911 are cheap fallbacks. The GGX 17 is dominated by the GGX 18 unless the full-auto version is unavailable.
Launchers
Launchers are team equipment, not primary weapons. Their ranking depends on the squad's vehicle plan and on target identification, not on a solo damage number.
| Tier | Weapon | Evidence | Published data | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | RPG-7 | Community consensus | Alpha $2,000; 93mm; anti-vehicle role | The most established cheap anti-vehicle entry, but no penetration or vehicle-damage value is published |
| B | MAAWS | Community consensus | Price and ammunition not captured; 84mm; anti-vehicle role | A named anti-vehicle launcher with no current price or measured penetration data |
| B | MGL-40 | Community consensus | Price not captured; 40mm; grenade launcher; 75 RPM recorded | Useful against grouped infantry or light positions, but the missing price and ammunition cost block a stronger claim |
| C | 9K333 Verba | Community consensus | Price and ammunition not captured; 72mm; anti-air role; 17.25 kg | Specialist anti-air tool with no published price, ammunition or measured effect; the weight is a real cost |
Class verdict. No launcher reaches S. The RPG-7 is the default anti-vehicle pick because it is the cheapest named option with a published Alpha price. The MAAWS and MGL-40 are role alternatives. The Verba is an anti-air specialist. The announced reduction in attack vehicles could lower demand, but the final Limited Mode list is not published.
Bows
| Tier | Weapon | Evidence | Published data | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Compound Bow | Community consensus | Alpha $800; Standard Arrows; pull-and-release; 41 recorded draw-and-release cycle; 1.3 kg | A quiet niche weapon with no current measured damage or TTK evidence; treat it as a role experiment |
Class verdict. The bow is a novelty and role weapon. It has a published Alpha price and a recorded cycle rate, but no measured damage result in this wiki. It stays at C until a controlled test exists.
Identifier-only weapons
The catalogue also contains M12G, AT4, Browning MG and G60 as identifier-only entries. They have no reliable price, role, ammunition or performance data. They are deliberately excluded from the tier tables. Do not treat an identifier as a release confirmation or a hidden S-tier weapon.
Cross-class takeaways
- Best cost-adjusted value: AK74 for a general kit, PP-19 Bizon for close quarters.
- Best measured near-range damage: M14, within the four-gun measured set and only at near range.
- Best backup: GGX 18 on measured fire rate.
- Most dependent on conditions: LMGs, snipers and launchers, where ammunition, position and team plan decide more than the weapon name.
- Most likely to move after November 12: SMGs and shotguns if Sabatulo is as tight as described; marksman rifles if the Tier 2 armor cap changes the target band.
What Season 3 could change
The announced Limited Mode plan is FMJ-only ammunition, a Tier 2 armor cap and fewer attack vehicles. If those rules ship as described:
- AP and HP comparisons become less relevant inside Limited Mode, because only FMJ is planned.
- Tier 3 and Tier 4 protection drop out of that playlist, so the measured Tier 2 band becomes the relevant comparison.
- Weapons that perform at Tier 2 gain relative value; weapons that rely on defeating Tier 4 do not get to show it.
- Fewer attack vehicles reduce the demand for launchers in that playlist, but not in the default mode.
None of this is a post-patch result. The final restricted list is still being set, and the patch notes preview had not been published when this page was checked. Re-test after the patch instead of treating the direction as a finished ranking.
FAQ
Is the M14 the best weapon in WARDOGS? It has the highest measured near-range upper-chest values of the four measured guns. That is not the same as being the best weapon at every range, in every kit or after the Season 3 patch.
Why is the AK74 above the M4? The AK74 is the official $800 Assault default, so it leaves more budget for the rest of the kit. The M4 has the higher recorded fire rate and a lighter body, but its Alpha price is not a current quote.
Why do some rows have no price? Because no reliable price was captured, and leaving it blank is better than inventing one. Check the live vendor before buying.
Are the fire-rate numbers exact? They are recorded counts, not official coefficients. The source describes 60 FPS recording with possible one-frame rounding error. Use them to compare rough tempo, not to calculate a precise TTK.
Does a higher tier mean a weapon is stronger in a duel? No. It means better cost-adjusted value for the class and the kit. A B-tier role tool can decide a squad fight that an S-tier rifle cannot.
Sources and Last Checked
Check dates apply separately to the sources listed below, not to the whole article. The content update date does not certify every fact. Earlier dated notes retain their origin.
| Source | Kind | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| WARDOGS Road to Season 3 | Official | 2026-11-07 |
| WARDOGS Season 02 patch notes | Official | 2026-11-07 |
| WARDOGS on Steam | Official | 2026-11-07 |
| Swoleguy: recorded Season 2 measurements | Creator | 2026-11-07 |
| Every Weapon Tested in WARDOGS | Creator | 2026-11-07 |
Measured damage values come from Nalerian's near-range snapshot recorded on 2026-10-15 and checked on 2026-10-23; the snapshot is stored in this wiki. The exact distance is unknown. The measured set covers TCX-SPR, M14, PP-19 Bizon and Evo-3 Ultra; the Bushmaster M17S cells are historical and are not used as measured evidence.
Related guides
Sources
Each source has its own check date. A page update does not recheck every fact; older game builds and server notices may no longer apply.
- WARDOGS | Road to Season 3 - Steam announcement
Official · Source checked
- WARDOGS Season 02 patch notes - Steam announcement
Official · Source checked
- WARDOGS on Steam
Official · Source checked
- Swoleguy: recorded Season 2 progression and measurement method
Creator · Source checked
- Every Weapon Tested in WARDOGS
Creator · Source checked
- WARDOGS subreddit - community tier discussions
Community · Source checked
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the tier column measure?
It measures cost-adjusted value inside one weapon class for a complete Season 2 kit. It is not raw damage and it is not a cross-class power score. An S in sidearms means the best value among sidearms, not that a sidearm beats an S assault rifle. The reason column names the property that decided the row.
Why do many rows use Alpha prices?
The official Season 2 notes publish prices for the four new weapons and a few defaults. For older catalogue weapons, the only price in this wiki is the historical Alpha listing, so the row says Alpha and does not present it as a current quote. Check the live vendor before paying an unlock or buying a kit.
Which weapon has the best measured damage?
Among the four guns with usable measured cells in the near-range snapshot, the M14 has the highest upper-chest values at every armor tier. That does not make it the best weapon overall: the snapshot has no exact distance, covers one range band, and the M14 costs $7,400 with a $100,000 unlock and a 10-round magazine.
Why is there no S-tier sniper or launcher?
No current measured one-shot, penetration or vehicle-damage dataset supports an S placement in those classes. They are role tools with published prices and roles, not proven universal upgrades. Leaving the top tier empty is more honest than filling it with a guess.
Will the Season 3 Limited Mode change these tiers?
It could. The announced plan includes FMJ-only ammunition, a Tier 2 armor cap and fewer attack vehicles, but the final restricted list is still being set. The direction favors close-range weapons and Tier 2 protection; it does not yet prove a new best weapon.