Dead Rails has a wide range of weapons—from standard pistols to lightning-shooting superguns and literal cannons. Some weapons are must-haves for your run, while others are best sold off the moment you find them. In this comprehensive guide and tier list, we break down the stats, strategies, and quirks behind every major weapon in the game, including guns, explosives, melee tools, and special gear. Let’s get into it.

---

Pistol Class Weapons

Mouser – B Tier
Your starting pistol if you own the pistol Game Pass. Decent fire rate, cheap ammo, and great as a backup. It’s inaccurate at range, and the ammo burns fast. Not a main weapon, but a solid sidearm in a pinch.

Revolver – A Tier
Found in every safe zone’s gunsmith for $35. Cheap, effective, and very accessible. Though it has low ammo capacity and a basic damage output, the revolver is one of the best early-game investments.

Navy Revolver – C Tier
Sleek design and decent damage bump, but hampered by slow fire rate and rare availability. A downgrade from the revolver in terms of practicality.

Electrocutioner – S Tier
Unlocked via the Tesla Lab’s Easter egg, this weapon is devastating. It one-shots most enemies and literally summons lightning. Only downside: it starts with 20 rounds and can only be recharged using Tesla Lab lightning rods. Still, its power and style earn it a top-tier rank.

---

Shotguns

Standard Shotgun – S Tier
High damage and fantastic for close-range combat, especially against tougher enemies like werewolves. It’s cheap for its power and easily one of the best weapons for mid- to late-game combat.

Sawed-Off Shotgun – A Tier
Shorter range and only two rounds, but with fast fire rate when spamming reload. Devastating in close quarters and great for clearing out hordes.

---

Rifles

Rifle – S Tier
Accurate, powerful, and reliable. One-shots zombies and bandits from afar. Its long range makes it ideal for sniping enemies before they become a threat. It’s expensive to buy but easy to find in towns.

Bolt Action Rifle – C Tier
Almost identical to the standard rifle, but worse. It has one less bullet, is rarer, and isn’t available for purchase. No notable damage increase. Use it only if you have no better option.

---

Mountable Weapons

Maxim Gun – B Tier
An unlimited-ammo mounted gun that can be welded to your train. Damage is low but it’s useful for suppressing enemies, especially with friends. Useless in solo play due to its fixed nature.

Cannon – B Tier
Found only in the military base after defeating the captain. Powerful but limited to 12 cannonballs and extremely heavy drop-off. It’s more fun than practical—but a worthy piece of gear if you want to feel unstoppable.

---

Throwables and Utility

Molotov – C Tier
Best used for crowd control. Weak against single enemies and rare. Only shines when paired with the arsonist class, which is a niche use case.

Crucifix + Holy Water Combo – B Tier
Two-item combo that causes green fire and lightning strikes. Expensive and situational, but undeniably cool and satisfying to use.

Dynamite – B Tier
Set it up by placing it and lighting the fuse with a torch. It deals huge damage in a wide radius and is excellent for breaking up groups. Expensive, rare, and dangerous to use carelessly, but very strong.

---

Melee Weapons

Stock Shovel – D Tier
Slow, weak, and basic. You start with it, and that’s really all it’s good for. Replace it ASAP.

Vampire Knife – A Tier
Found in the castle, this knife heals you with each hit. It still takes five hits to kill a zombie, but the healing makes it a valuable tool if you’re low on ammo. It also sells for a good price, which may be a better use of it.

---

Honorable Mentions

Barbed Wire – S Tier
Incredible passive defense. Damages and flings enemies that walk through it. If your train is wrapped in barbed wire, even werewolves hesitate to attack. The most underrated defense item in the game.

Safe Zone Sentries – S Tier
Not a player-usable weapon, but essential. These auto-turrets protect you during night cycles and make AFK farming safe. Their consistency and strength make them MVP defenders.

---

Final Thoughts

While some weapons in Dead Rails are situational or niche, others are absolute game-changers. Whether you’re planning to snipe from afar, control crowds, or lay waste with lightning and fire, there’s a weapon for every playstyle.

Make smart choices, sell what you don’t need, and always keep your train and your inventory ready for anything the rails might throw at you.

Stay armed, stay armored—and keep that train moving.