To survive in Deep Rock Galactic Survive and kill the Dreadnought, players must pick the right weapon for one of four classes. Today there are 40 weapon types in the game. This guide outlines the strengths of each class and the best builds for them.
How to improve weapons
To unlock each weapon’s special abilities, it must reach level 12 in a single run. On average, players reach level 40 in a session, so there is time to upgrade no more than two types of equipment. Strengthening every weapon requires dedication, but it is a meaningful part of the game and a chance to explore different combinations.
The best weapon for a scout
The scout starts with high movement speed and a knack for dodging as well as a focus on kinetic weapons with extra electrical damage. Among the weapons, the plasma carbine DRAK-25 is notable for unlocking at level 21. Its sustained plasma damage lets players deal with bosses from a safe distance quickly.
Here are the other weapons with brief notes:
- Electroshock sweeper (boomerang) – unlocks at level 6. It hits twice, providing steady DPS even with small upgrades. A solid choice for skirmishes;
- Cryogenic grenade – not a top killer, but this grenade freezes a large area and even a Dreadnought. It helps survival in tight spots and lets other weapons do the heavy lifting;
- Homemade boomstick – an entry shotgun that handles close quarters but is less effective for a scout who leans toward ranged damage;
- M1000 Classic – a starting rifle unlocked at scout level 3. It offers strong raw power and penetration but struggles against crowds;
- Zhukov NUK17 – an electric pistol with solid improvements. It shines when used with electric weapons but is not strong on its own;
- TH-0R tranquilizer rifle – unlockable at level 12 and central to this build;
- Bolt launcher Nishanka X-80 – a powerful crossbow unlocked at level 24. Replaces other guns with higher damage and speed;
- Arc-Tek Cryo-Guard Drone – a slower drone unlocked at level 15. It deals little damage and slows enemies less effectively than needed.
It can also help to gather artifacts such as Nitra Glycerin Powder, Gold Plated Bullets, and Gold Scanner. These boost total damage by a large margin, but spending on nitr a and gold should be done with care.
The best weapon for a Heavy
The heavy is a tough, front-facing brawler. Even so, a well-placed starter machine gun can clear many foes and help bring down a Dreadnought with a few clips. The Thundercloud autocannon, unlocked at level 12, remains a strong choice for this role.
Other weapons useful against heavies include:
- BRT7 serial-fire pistol – a sturdy starter that lets players safely progress to more powerful options;
- Tactical lead thrower – a grenade launcher with kinetic projectiles. It hits hard but can misfire;
- Hunting drone Firefly – a fire-support drone. Its range is longer, so players may need to back off for experience or seek a magnet;
- Hurricane missile system – a slow yet devastating tool that excels at shredding packs of beetles. Upgrades amplify its role;
- Gauss pistol ArmsKore – unlocks at challenging level 27 and offers strong performance on tough runs;
- Seismic repeller – powerful in a small radius. Great for bug hunts but occupies space if damage is lacking;
- Heavy revolver Bulldog – a slow, lethal option that complements the basic machine gun after upgrades;
- Cryo cannon – solid but its upgrades may not keep pace with all runs; better suited for specific drills;
- Incendiary grenade – constant fire in a large radius. Even if it misses, it can guide beetles into a damaging area, aiding rapid elimination of small foes and sustained boss damage.
Several artifacts suit this class depending on play style:
- Barley bulb juice – speeds up movement when not advancing, great for machine gun setups that need you to scan ahead;
- Dry ration IRL-U – boosts health and regeneration. Since heavies move slowly, extra health matters;
- Red sugar – increases frequent health recovery, making it possible to reach about 700 health in late stages and survive surrounded by foes.
The best weapon for a drill
The drill is currently among the strongest classes. Its rapid environmental destruction keeps distractions to a minimum and yields resources quickly. It also deals significant periodic damage via acid and fire. The microwave transmitter Collette, unlockable at level 6, remains a staple. It fires in a cone that targets enemies and can pierce obstacles. Its drawback is slow turning speed, but with practice it can hit single targets and dense beetle swarms in seconds.
Beyond the emitter, the drill has many other capable tools:
- Acid slime thrower – sprays acid around the user and, with elemental damage boosts, inflicts heavy damage over time;
- Impact axe – unexpectedly powerful. The drill throws axes that damage an area and then pulls them back, increasing total damage;
- Flamethrower CRSPR – strong combat power that helps resist endless bug waves. Upgrades boost beam quantity and damage area;
- Neurotoxin grenade – not top tier, but can help against certain acid damage scenarios;
- Cryo cannon – not enough alone to wipe beetles, and there is a risk at high levels during reload;
- Drone K1-R Viper – an acid-damage drone. Like other drones, it is less useful in mid to late stages and can distract from survival;
- Experimental plasma charger – unlocks at Driller level 27 and offers massive damage, clearing paths quickly regardless of foes.
In terms of artifacts, several belts provide elemental damage boosts and some increase overall health.
The best weapon for an engineer
The engineer is the least aggressive digger but becomes highly survivable with the right tools and turrets. Its arsenal focuses on turrets and drones, complemented by passive skills and specific artifacts. A reliable sidearm such as Vepr Auto 210 is essential, delivering front-facing impact.
- Voltaic electric fence – a durable device that causes continuous damage in a small radius, especially handy when enemies cluster in a corner;
- Smart rifle LOK-1 – a weak, slow weapon that can disrupt the game with auto-targeting that sometimes misreads, lengthening boss fights;
- Deep core RGM – a grenade launcher that rapidly clears extra beetles. Upgrades tune it for the situation;
- Plasma cutter – delivers high plasma damage at range. If turrets aren’t used, this is a must for assembling a strong build;
- Diffraction splitter – a curious weapon with good stats, though its potential remains underused;
- Plasma charge – a strong plasma tool, though other options may be more practical;
- Shredder Swarm Grenade – practical but with accuracy issues. It’s often better to repurpose space for something else;
- Tower Krakatoa – a dome with massive fire damage that can cover a wide area by level 18;
- Various drones – the engineer benefits most from drones that deal special damage and suit the chosen build.
The first option involves collecting nitr a and gold by opening artifacts such as Gold Plated Bullet, Nitraglycerate powder, and Pickled Nitra. The second option focuses on defense and constant stops, using Tactical bipod and Barley ball juice.
That covers the weapon and class basics in Deep Rock Galactic Survivor. If new weapons, classes, or artifacts appear, the guide will be updated to reflect the latest version.
[VG Times]