There are many systems and mechanics at play in Returnal, but one of the more essential aspects of it is the weapons and how they can turn the tide of any run. However, having one of the few subpar guns will ultimately stop a run dead in its tracks. In contrast, having the best ༒gun in Returnal will help you and your run out significa🎶ntly.
In Returnal, there are ten weapons total, all of which have different Traits, feels, and uses. Many weapons are passable in Returnal, but some shine above the rest, especially when paired with devastating Traits. Returnal has a lot going on and can be✤ quite the challeng🌳e, but a good weapon will carry you far.
Updated on August 22, 2021 by Seth Parmer: Since Returnal's initial launch in April of this year, fans have found which Traits make each weapon shine in critical scenarios, changing this list slightly. We've updated this list with some placement changes and added what Trait is best for each weapon/scenario!
10 🔴 Rotgland Lobber ▨
The Rotgland Lobber is an incredibly powerful weapon that could be considered one of the best weapons in Returnal if it weren't for a few of its massive shortcomings.
Ultimately, the Rotgland Lobber sits amongst the top of the list in terms of its damage output but fails in pretty much every other way. The Rotgland Lobber gains range the longer you hold the trigger down, meaning you will only reach distant targets after warming the gun up, which hurts its performance significantly.
If users can get used to its slow fire rate and weird range issues, it can be a deadly tool in your arsenal. However, it might not be worth taking the risk of learning this weapon's quirks when every moment can be your last in a game like Returnal.
168澳洲幸运5开奖网:The Rotgland Lobber has 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:unique Traits that help alleviate some of its shortcomings, the best being Caustic Rot, Explosive Shot, and Tendril Rot. However, due to its awkward fire rate and range, this weapon is best used on smaller enemies. It is not advised to take this into hoards of the more formidable foes of Returnal!
9 Spitmaw Blaster 🐭 🌜
The Spitmaw Blaster is Returnal's only shotgun-like weapon in the game, and it's a decent one — especially in the early game. However, the blaster's shortcomings ultimately make it a pass in the latter portions of the game and far from the best gun in Returnal.
The Spitmaw is a powerful weapon with one catch. You have to be up close and personal with your target. The Spitmaw Blaster is one of the best guns in the early outings of Returnal (168澳洲幸运5开奖网:and good against Phrike), but once you start fighting the more formidable foes, it will be hard to recommend.
Having to get that close to enemies in a game like Returnal is automatically a downside. Add to that the absurdly challenging enemies in the back half of the game, and you suddenly have a weapon that is only useful in the first few stages and will likely get you killed in the latter half.
While a close-quarter weapon and really only useful against the first boss and hoards of early-mid game enemies, the Spitmaw Blaster does possess some great Traits overall. Narrow Maw, Piercing Spit, and Rapid Spitter are the Traits to look for with this gun!
8 🅠 Dreadbound 🦂
One of the more unique weapons in Returnal is the Dreadbound, a crossbow-like weapon with a high damage output but a prolonged fire rate. Unfortunately, as far as Returnal weapons go, the Dreadbound is far and away the hardest toജ use, making it exceptionally hard to recommend.
What makes the Dreadbound shine is that you can retract the shot and deal damage with the returning projectile. The damage output on this weapon is incredible, but it takes a lot of time to get used to it. However, once mastered, the Dreadbound can take out multiple enemies with one shot and deal excessive amounts of damage to the bigger enemies. Sadly, due ܫto its strict learning curve, the Deadbound is not w🍃orth the risk in the grand scheme of things in Returnal.
The Dreadbound is an incredibly unique weapon in Returnal and really only shines against hoards of enemies — preferably mid to early-late game — and stationary bosses. Furthermore, the Dreadbound only has three Traits, with Fourth Shard being the best.
7 ♚ 𒁃 Modified Sidearm SD-M8
The Modified Sidearm is the first weapon you get to use in Returnal and the default weapon of every new run attempt. It accomplishes what i꧟t sets out to do but falls short compared to many other Returnal guns.
The SD-M8 is an excellent starting weapon and can also be quite deadly with the proper modifiers and traits. However, this sidearm is an ideal transition to something more powerful and better. With that said, the Modified Sidearm can be pretty surprising in the late game, but not enough to put it in the upper echelons.
Being the default weapon in the game, the Sidearm has a lot of Traits that give it the potential to be one of Returnal's best weapons. Its Burst Fire, Homing Missile, and Serrated Projectiles Traits can turn it from an average Sidearm to an incredibly viable one in the late game. While it is recommended to switch this weapon out at some point, with the right Traits, the SD-M8 is deadly against late-game enemies and bosses.
6 ꧟ 𒁏 Coilspine Shredder
The Coilspine Shredder is a rare find in the world of Returnal but is worth the pickup whenever you happen to stumble upon it. Fortunately, its rarity isn't for nothing, as the Coulspine Shredder is one of the best Returnal weapons.
The Coilspine Shredder shoots its projectiles slowly but in a broader range, allowing it to hit multiple targets with each shot. If you can master Returnal's Overload mechanic, the Coilspine Shredder will be deadly in your hands. The only downside to 🍸the Coilspine Shredder is its rarity, making it fall a tad lower on the list.
Much like the Dreadbound, the Coilspine Shredder is a rare and unique weapon in Returnal but is much more viable in practically every way. While the Coilspine Shredder only has four Weapon Traits, almost all of them are great to have. The Adrenaline Discs, Retarget, and Twin Discs Traits make this weapon a powerhouse even in the game's late stages, particularly against bigger enemies and bosses.
5 Thermogenic Launcher 🎃 🔯
As with most launchers in any shooter, the Thermogenic Launcher offers a high damage output with a slow rate of fire. However, despite its expected slow fire rate, this launcher demolishes anything in its path, making it one of Returnal's best weapons.
What makes the Thermogenic Launcher so good is its significant initial damage and the splash damage that follows each shot. This launcher is more than capable of taking out multiple targets at once and delivering devastating damage to the more formidable foes that Returnal throws at you.
The Thermogenic Launcher has many great Traits, high damage output, and is particularly strong against groups of enemies, large enemies, and bosses. Basically, it's excellent in any situation. However, while it has awesome Traits, it also has a handful of terrible ones, making it risky to pick up in some cases. Critical Rockets, Full Auto, Mega Rocket, Replicating Hits, and Thermite Rockets are🧜 the best Traits the Thermogenic Launcher has to offer!
4 Hollowseeker ไ ꦉ
In contrast to the slow-firing Rotgland Lobber, the Hollowseeker is one of the fastest firing weapons in Returnal with♓ a few downsides of its own. Those said downsides, unfortunately, keep it from being one ﷺof the best guns in Returnal.
Although the Hollowseeker has a fast rate of fire, its damage can be pretty mediocre, even with excellent traits and modifiers. However, what sets this weapon above the others mentioned so far is it annihilates small to medium enemies and can even be optimal against bosses, 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:like Ixion, with suitable traits. The Hollowseeker's rapid fire rate is what sets it apart from all the other Returnal weapons, but it lacks any sort of bite to keep it relevant.
The Hollowseeker is a prime example of a weapon that shines brighter due to its great Weapon Traits. When paired with the right Traits, the Hollowseeker's swift rate of fire sets it above most of Returnal's weapons. Phasing Rounds, Portal Turret, Serrated Projectiles, Split Stream, and Waves are the Weapon Traits to keep a lookout for to make the Hollowseeker deadly against even the most formidable foes in the late game, especially against waves and bosses!
3 P💯yroshꦰell Caster
The Pyroshell Caster is comparable to the Thermogenic Launcher in more ways than one but is better in a few key ways. Those crucial aspects set the Pyroshell Caster in the running for the𒉰 best ꩲgun in Returnal.
The one unfortunate downside of the Pyroshell Caster is that it has a slower rate of fire than the already sluggish Thermogenic Launcher. However, the Pyroshell Caster offers slightly more severe damage and better Traits and modifiers. Its high damage output and ability to take out multiple targets and devastate bigger enemies make it one of Returnal's best weapons.
While ranked higher than the Thermogenic Launcher due to its significant damage output and remarkable crowd control ability, the Pyroshell Caster only has two Traits. Fortunately, the two Traits are phenomenal, making it stand firm against most other weapons in the game. The Bouncy Projectiles and Streamlined Chamber make the gun much more robust and even get rid of its one shortcoming — sluggish fire rate. No matter what Trait you get, this weapon will annihilate bosses and waves of enemies, even in the late stages of the game.
2 Tachyomatic🌱 C꧑arbine
Much like the Hollowseeker, the Tachyomatic Carbine also offers a fast rate of fire and can be found pretty early in Returnal. In contrast to the Hollowseeker, however, the Tachyomatic Carbine is viable throughout the entire game and is ea𝓰sily one of the best the game has ဣto offer.
Despite being an early weapon, the Tachyomatic Carbine is deadly at any stage of the game, especially with the right traits, modifiers, and 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:high proficiency. This carbine is one of the more balanced weapons in the game and can be amongst the best if the RNG Gods 𒐪bless you.
While it's a balanced weapon in the grand scheme of things, the Tachyomatic Carbine has some incredible Traits that make it one of Returnal's best weapons. The Carbine's Accelerated, Armor Piercing, Critical Hit, Leech Rounds, Payload Rounds, and Rising Pitch Traits will let you tear through enemies at ease. Particularly strong against large enemies, single targets, and bosses, the Tachyomatic Carbine is also decent against hoards of enemies, too, making it deadly in just about any situation!
1 ꦚ Elect✃ropylon Driver
The Electropylon Driver is one of Returnal's most deadly and unique weapons and can be devastating in the right hands. Furthermore, the Electropylon Driver's potential, ease of use, and absurd damage output make it the best Returnal weapon.
When used, this weapon will fire out pylons that, when tethered together, are connected by a red electric beam that can deal excessive damage to any foe that passes through them. The Electropylon Driver is a great offensive and defensive weapon that shreds the opposition's health and can even slow enemies of all sizes. Th🌟e Electropylon Driver is the best weapon in the game and is worth the investment to learn how to operate appropriately.
The Electropylon Driver's unique gameplay style has many fascinating Traits that only help mark it as Returnal's best weapon. The Blade Harmonizer, Finisher, Protective Pylons, Pylon Web, and Streamlined Chamber set the stage for the gun, enabling you to take down any sort of target in the game. While it shines the most against larger targets, thanks to its ability to slow them down and trap them, the Electropylon Driver is excellent at crowd control, and boss encounters as well.