The universe is yours to explore in Starfield. If you wish, you can ignore the main missions entirely and opt to visit as many planets as possible. You can also dwell in one of the various settlements, immersing yourself in the daily life of Akila City or Neon.
Regardless of the path you take, you’ll probably find yourself up against hostile foes more than once. Consequently, having weapons is vital. There are dozens of guns to discover, and you can modify them to behave just the way you want them to. By leveling up and exploring, you’ll find some of the best weapons the game has to offer.
Read this guide if you want to know which guns you should be looking out for. The list is divided into 5 sections, as there are 5 types of weapons in Starfield – Ballistics, Lasers, Melee, Particle Beams, and Electromagnetic.
Best ballistics guns in Starfield
Ballistics guns are old school, but there’s no need to fix perfection. They use regular projectiles, so they’ll feel familiar to us Earthlings. There are plenty of ballistics guns to find, and ammo is also relatively plentiful.
1. Keelhauler
It’s a good idea to always have at least a pistol on you. They’re lightweight and excel in close-range shootouts. It’s the best gun to have at the ready if you’re in a new area and you’re afraid that enemies might jump at you unexpectedly.
When it comes to projectile pistols, it is harder to do better than the Keelhauler. The Legendary weapon deals a high amount of damage, and it has relatively good accuracy. You can claim this gun by joining the Crimson Fleet and completing the Echoes of the Past mission.
2. Breach
Shotguns are also important. They have extremely low range, but they deal catastrophically violent blows. The Breach is among the most powerful guns in the game. The downside to this weapon is that you won’t come across ammo for it often, so use it smartly. It also takes a while to reload, which leaves you vulnerable.
3. Justifier
One of the best rifles in Starfield is the Justifier. It is a reward you can claim for completing the Freestar Rangers questline. It deals devastating blows, and its wooden handle gives it a distinct look in Starfield‘s high-tech environment.
Best laser guns in Starfield
Laser guns are probably what you expect from a sci-fi game set in the future. They emit beams that hit enemies with energy damage. These are the laser guns you need in your inventory:
4. Solstice
There aren’t too many laser pistols to find. If you’re looking for one, you can’t go wrong with the Solstice. It’s lightweight and while it isn’t too powerful at first, it can be modified to become a deadly terror. You should also look out for the Ember which is a unique Solstice variant with superior stats.
5. Orion
Technically, the best laser rifle in Starfield is the Unmitigated Violence rifle. However, you only get it quite late into the game. Hence, for your first playthrough, you’ll be more well-served by the Orion. This rifle looks deliciously sleek, and it also packs a punch. Most importantly, it is highly customizable, allowing you to continue using it even as you level up and face stronger foes.
Best particle beam guns in Starfield
Particle beams are very rare, and they deliver both physical and energy damage. You’re unlikely to come across them during the early hours of the game. When you do find them, hold onto them, because they are some of the best weapons available.
6. Big Bang
The Big Bang has a nice futuristic aesthetic, and it goes well with the Constellation spacesuit. The energy and physical damage it dishes out is high, and with the right mods, the gun can carry you through your entire playthrough.
7. Eternity’s Gate
This is arguably the best gun in the game overall. Its look is definitely an acquired taste I haven’t gotten around to liking just yet. Nevertheless, this rifle has no trouble ripping through enemies, and it’s relatively lightweight, making it a no-brainer to have it on you at all times once you’ve obtained it. You’ll have to do a bit of work before this gun is yours, and it’s only available in the last few missions of Starfield.
Best electromagnetic (EM) guns in Starfield
You won’t see too many EM guns in Starfield. These guns are your non-lethal solution to conflicts. Aim it at a foe to incapacitate them while you run, pickpocket them, or get close enough to use your shotgun. They’re particularly effective against robot enemies.
8. Novablast Disruptor
This EM rifle is the best one in the game. It deals 100 EM damage and has five mod slots for you to play with. You can purchase this gun from Laredo Firearms in Akila City.
9. Brawler’s Equinox
The Brawler’s Equinox isn’t as powerful as the Novablast Disruptor, dealing only 2 EM damage. but it does have a better range. It also looks more interesting, which will be a selling point for some players.
Best melee weapons in Starfield
When battles get up close and personal, you’ll have to resort to melee combat. You can increase your odds of winning by packing powerful melee weapons that can slice and dice your competition in no time.
10. Naval Cutlass
The cutlass looks cutting edge, excuse the pun. It also deals devastating damage and it can be found pretty early on if you kill enough Spacers. Once you find it, add it to your Favorites. It’s extremely useful to have when you’re sneaking or wish to conserve ammunition.
11. The Last Priest
This rare melee weapon is only obtained late game if you side with the Hunter at the end of the Unearthed mission. It deals 85 physical damage. Creep on your foe and strike them with The Last Priest to quickly eliminate them.
Once you’ve got all the weapons you want, turn to your spaceship which also needs to be kitted out with good weapons. You can look at these Starfield spaceships if you need inspiration.
