In Metro Exodus, survival hinges on your ability to adapt your weapons to a wide range of combat situations. Whether you’re creeping through enemy outposts or facing down monstrous mutants, the game’s modular weapon system lets you tailor your arsenal for any challenge. This guide breaks down the main weapon classes, their strengths, and customization options to suit your playstyle.

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1. Handguns

• Best For: Close-range combat, stealth encounters
• Examples: Revolver, Bastard Gun
• Key Features: Lightweight, compact, and adaptable

Customization Tips:

• Turn the Revolver into a short-range marksman rifle with a sniper stock, long barrel, and 4x scope.
• Modify the Bastard Gun with a suppressor, extended magazine, and reflex sight to create a stealthy SMG alternative.

Playstyle Advice:

• Great for dealing with small groups or single targets.
• Can be customized for either precision or high-rate-of-fire roles.

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2. Shotguns

• Best For: Devastating close-range power
• Examples: Ashot, Shambler
• Key Features: Handmade, brutal, and reliable in tight corridors

Playstyle Advice:

• Ideal for crowd control or quickly dispatching mutants.
• Pair with a mid-range rifle for flexibility during longer engagements.

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3. Rifles

• Best For: Versatile medium-range engagements
• Examples: Kalash, Bulldog
• Key Features: Balanced, reliable, and highly customizable

Customization Tips:

• Kalash: Convert it into a designated marksman rifle with a 4x scope and long barrel, or into an RPK-style LMG with a drum magazine and reflex sight.
• Bulldog: Use its slower rate of fire for high precision; add a long barrel and 6x scope for sharpshooting builds.

Playstyle Advice:

• The Kalash offers flexibility for nearly any encounter.
• The Bulldog suits players who prefer high-damage, deliberate shots from mid to long range.

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4. Sniper Rifles

• Best For: Long-range takedowns and armored targets
• Example: Valve
• Key Features: Extremely powerful but slow bolt-action mechanics

Customization Tips:

• Add a semi-auto receiver and extended magazine for faster follow-up shots.
• Use the Auto Ventilated configuration to improve armor penetration and reduce overheat issues.

Playstyle Advice:

• Best used from elevated positions or cover-rich environments.
• Choose targets carefully and be aware of the slow reload cycle.

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5. Special Weapons

• Best For: Silent approaches and creative playstyles
• Examples: Tihar Rifle, Helsing Crossbow
• Key Features: Pneumatic and silent, great for ammo conservation

Playstyle Advice:

• The Tihar and Helsing are ideal for stealth missions or resource-limited scenarios.
• You can craft both standard and incendiary ammo, giving you flexible options for crowd control or silent kills.

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General Weapon Tips

1. Adapt Loadouts to Each Mission: Know your enemies and choose your weapons accordingly.
2. Maintain Weapon Condition: Clean and repair your weapons regularly at workbenches to prevent jamming and damage reduction.
3. Explore for Attachments: New scopes, stocks, and barrels can be found across the wasteland—search thoroughly.
4. Preserve Ammo: Use stealth kills and melee when possible to conserve bullets for harder battles.
5. Balance Your Arsenal: Combine short- and long-range weapons (e.g., shotgun + sniper rifle) for a well-rounded loadout.

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Conclusion

In Metro Exodus, adaptability is your greatest weapon. Whether you favor stealthy eliminations, sniper superiority, or explosive force, the game’s weapon customization system allows for endless experimentation. Keep your gear maintained, scavenge diligently, and craft your weapons to match the threat ahead.