Fortnite Runners has been live for a few days now and the loot pool is already a mess. Some weapons that looked unbeatable at launch have already been nerfed into the ground, and a few quieter picks have turned into must-carries. Here is the full Fortnite best weapons tier list, so you know exactly what to keep and what to leave on the floor in your next match.
Table of Contents
Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 3 Weapons Tier List
| Tier | Weapons |
|---|---|
| S-Tier | Striker Pump Shotgun, Chaos Reloader Shotgun, Flex SMG |
| A-Tier | Surgical Burst Rifle, Stinger SMG, Hunting Rifle, Overdrive Grenades |
| B-Tier | Maven Auto Shotgun, Extending Focus Shotgun, Ranger Pistol |
| C-Tier | Chaos Exploder Rifle, Shield Breaker EMP |
| D-Tier | Lancehead Pistol, 9mm Baba Yaga, Business Turret |
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S-Tier: Best Weapons in Fortnite Runners
Striker Pump Shotgun
I actually doesn't really like to use shotguns in Fortnite. My go-to are always SMGs or ARs. However, I found the Striker Pump on my first Runners match, and it can drop someone in a single pull! A clean headshot connects for 201 damage, which is enough to wipe a full health and shield opponent without a second shot. Range is very short, though, so you have to actively close the gap to make it work. This is the best one if you like close-combat.
Chaos Reloader Shotgun
The Chaos Reloader deals the highest body shot damage of any shotgun in Season 3, which means you do not need a perfect headshot to chunk someone down hard. So if you like to play strategically, this one is better than Striker Pump Shotgun. Every shot hits hard, and the weapon reloads itself while you're not using it, so you're always ready for the next fight.
Flex SMG
The Flex is useful because it works in situations where other top weapons struggle. When you hip-fire, it shoots very fast and can keep pressure on enemies hiding behind builds. This is why I love SMGs.
Aiming down sights (ADS) slows the fire rate but makes your shots more accurate at medium range. Its main weakness is lower damage at long range, so it's best used alongside a rifle.
A-Tier Weapons
Surgical Burst Rifle
The Surgical Burst Rifle is one of the best long-range weapons in Season 3. It has low recoil, good accuracy, and can deal heavy damage if all three shots hit. It ranks in A-tier because burst weapons are harder to use in fast close-range fights, but at range it is extremely reliable.
Stinger SMG
The Stinger SMG is also one of my favorites. It has excellent DPS and stays accurate while aiming down sights. It is great for tracking moving enemies and breaking through builds. It falls just short of S-tier because the Flex is a little more versatile at medium range.
Hunting Rifle
The Hunting Rifle can give powerful headshots for accurate players, that can instantly eliminate enemies. Since it uses projectile bullets, you must lead your shots on moving targets. It is very strong, but difficult to master, that's why I put it in A-tier.
Overdrive Grenades
Overdrive Grenades are one of the best utility items in Fortnite Runners. They boost your speed and jump height, helping you chase enemies, escape danger, or reposition quickly. You should try to carry at least one stack in every match.
B-Tier Weapons
Maven Auto Shotgun
The Maven Auto Shotgun is easy to use because it fires continuously when you hold the trigger. It is strong if you are playing Zero Build. The Mythic version is much stronger and worth picking up, though.
Extending Focus Shotgun
The Extending Focus Shotgun has the best range of any shotgun and can switch between close and medium-range fighting styles. Its biggest weakness is the small three-shot magazine, which forces frequent reloads and will definitely make you vulnerable.
Ranger Pistol
The Ranger Pistol is a reliable sidearm with good damage and accuracy. It performs well in the early and mid game, but its limited range makes it weaker in late-game fights. Use it until you find a stronger weapon.
C-Tier Weapons
Chaos Exploder Rifle
The Chaos Exploder Rifle used to be very strong, but several nerfs reduced its damage. It can still deal splash damage and pressure enemy builds, but there are much better rifles available.
Shield Breaker EMP
The Shield Breaker EMP removes enemy shields and can disable vehicles and Business Turrets. Its usefulness is limited because it deals no health damage and is easily blocked by builds. Only carry it if you expect to fight enemies using vehicles or turrets.
D-Tier Weapons
9mm Baba Yaga and Lancehead Pistol
The John Wick's pistols have decent damage, but they are difficult to use. Both are semi-automatic, have strong recoil, and are less reliable than other weapons in Season 3. The Mythic version is slightly better, but neither is worth building your loadout around, unless you really wanna feel like the Baba Yaga.
Business Turret
The Business Turret automatically targets enemies, but its damage and tracking are too weak to make a real impact. Most players can destroy it easily. It is currently one of the least useful items in the game. I really don't like this one, it's pretty useless.
